Free projection mapping software — in your browser
Plenty of "free" projection mapping has a catch: MadMapper's and Resolume's demos watermark the output and HeavyM's trial expires. The genuinely-free desktop options are open source but uneven — MapMap (GPLv3) still gets commits yet hasn't tagged a release since 2018, Splash (GPLv3) ships slowly (0.10.8 landed in 2024), and VPT is effectively frozen at its 2018 release. A couple of free browser mappers now exist too (map.club, 4mapper). Projektor is free with no catch — no watermark, no timer, no account — and it's MIT-licensed, so you can fork and embed it.
It does perspective-correct corner-pin warping, multi-shape surfaces, blend modes and masks, live GLSL shaders with an in-app editor, an audio-reactive engine, MIDI control, scenes and cues with crossfades, a shareable project URL, an AI-agent MCP control API, and a Go-Live output window you drag onto a projector.
Free, MIT open-source, and zero-install — plus a live shader editor and AI-agent control the other free tools don't ship.
Side by side
| Projektor | MadMapper | HeavyM | MapMap / VPT / Splash | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free (no watermark) | ||||
| Runs in a browser | ||||
| No install | ||||
| License | MIT | Closed | Closed | GPL / source-available |
| Active release cadence | Active | Active | Active | Mixed — see note |
| Live GLSL shader editor | Effects | Effects | Varies | |
| AI-agent control (MCP) | ||||
| Share project as a URL |
Paid tools ship watermarked demos. Among the OSS desktop mappers: MapMap (GPLv3) still commits but hasn't tagged a release since 2018; Splash (GPLv3) shipped 0.10.8 in 2024; VPT is source-available and effectively frozen at its 2018 release.
When another free tool is the right call
- For big venues: native Syphon/NDI/Spout routing and DMX/fixture control (MadMapper, Resolume) that a browser can't do.
- For non-coders: a big library of ready-made content (HeavyM).
- For pure free + browser: map.club and 4mapper also run in a tab at no cost — Projektor's edge is the MIT license, agent control, live shaders, and URL-shareable projects, not "free" alone.
FAQ
What is the best free projection mapping software?
If you want something free with no watermark you can open instantly, Projektor runs in the browser and is MIT open-source. Free desktop options like MapMap and Splash still exist (Splash shipped a release in 2024; MapMap gets commits but no tagged release since 2018), and free browser tools map.club and 4mapper are worth a look too.
Is projection mapping software free to use for events?
Projektor is free for any use, including commercial and live events — MIT license, no watermark, no per-seat cost. Always confirm any third-party media you project is cleared for your use.
Do I need to download anything?
No. Projektor loads in a browser and saves your work locally; there's no installer and no signup. You only need a projector (or a second display) when you're ready to Go Live.