The free, browser-based TouchDesigner alternative
TouchDesigner is a deep, node-based visual-programming environment — powerful and general-purpose, but not mapping-specific, with a steep learning curve. Its Non-Commercial license is free (output capped at 1280×1280), Educational is from ~$300 and Commercial from ~$600, and it's a Windows/macOS install. Projektor is purpose-built for projection mapping, MIT-licensed, and runs in a browser tab.
If your job is "warp media onto a wall and Go Live," Projektor gets you there fast: corner-pin warp, surfaces, masks, a live GLSL shader editor, MIDI, cues, a shareable project URL, and an AI-agent MCP control API — no node graph to learn first.
TouchDesigner is a general-purpose node environment you install and learn. Projektor is a purpose-built, MIT-licensed browser mapper — zero install, gentle on-ramp, agent-controllable.
Side by side
| Projektor | TouchDesigner | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (MIT) | Non-Commercial free; ~$300 edu / ~$600 commercial |
| License | MIT (open) | Closed source |
| Runs in a browser | ||
| Install required | None | Windows / macOS app |
| Free tier output limits | None | Non-Commercial capped at 1280×1280 |
| Purpose-built for mapping | General-purpose | |
| Learning curve | Gentle | Steep (node graph) |
| Live GLSL shader editor | GLSL TOP / nodes | |
| AI-agent control (MCP) | Via Python scripting | |
| Share a whole project as a URL | ||
| Generative / data / 3D / sensor systems |
Prices are directional and vendor-set; check derivative.ca. TouchDesigner is a general-purpose real-time environment, not a mapping-specific tool — a different class of software.
Where TouchDesigner still wins
- It's vastly deeper and general-purpose: generative systems, data/audio-reactive pipelines, 3D, particle systems, and live sensor/hardware input.
- Node-based programming gives total control and better performance for complex real-time systems Projektor doesn't attempt.
- A huge community, component ecosystem, and years of installation-grade deployment — different tool class, not a like-for-like swap.
FAQ
Is Projektor a TouchDesigner replacement?
Only for projection mapping. If you just need to warp media onto surfaces and Go Live, Projektor is faster and free with no install. TouchDesigner is a general-purpose node environment for generative systems, data, 3D, and sensors — far deeper, and a different class of tool.
Is TouchDesigner free?
TouchDesigner's Non-Commercial license is free but caps output at 1280×1280; Educational and Commercial licenses are paid (roughly $300 and $600). Projektor is free with no resolution cap and no watermark, under an MIT license.
Which is easier to learn?
Projektor — it's purpose-built for mapping, so you add a surface, assign media, drag the corners, and Go Live. TouchDesigner's node graph is powerful but has a steep learning curve.
Can Projektor do generative visuals like TouchDesigner?
Projektor has a live GLSL shader editor and an audio-reactive engine for generative shader visuals, but it isn't a general-purpose node environment. For complex generative systems, data pipelines, or 3D, TouchDesigner is the deeper tool.