The free, browser-based Resolume alternative
Resolume is the industry-standard VJ and media-server software — Avenue is from ~$299 and Arena from ~$799 (perpetual, one computer), the demo is watermarked, and it's a macOS/Windows install. Projektor won't replace a media server, but for browser-based projection mapping it's free, MIT-licensed, and opens from a link.
You get perspective-correct corner-pin warping, multi-shape surfaces, blend modes and masks, a live GLSL shader editor, an audio-reactive engine, MIDI control, scenes and cues with crossfades, and a Go-Live output window — plus whole-project-in-a-URL sharing and an AI-agent MCP control API that no VJ desktop app offers.
Resolume is a paid, closed-source desktop media server. Projektor is a free, MIT-licensed, agent-controllable browser mapper — zero install, live shaders, shareable URLs.
Side by side
| Projektor | Resolume | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | From ~$299 (Avenue) / ~$799 (Arena) |
| License | MIT (open) | Closed source |
| Runs in a browser | ||
| Install required | None | macOS / Windows app |
| Free tier without a watermark | Watermarked demo | |
| Perspective-correct corner-pin | Arena: mapping + edge-blend | |
| Live GLSL shader editor | Effects / plugins | |
| AI-agent control (MCP) | ||
| MIDI control | ||
| Share a whole project as a URL | ||
| Media-server clip playback at scale | ||
| NDI / DMX / deep FX |
Prices are directional and vendor-set; check resolume.com. Avenue is the VJ tool; Arena adds projection mapping, edge-blending, and DMX. Structural rows (browser, install, license, agent control) are the durable difference.
Where Resolume still wins
- It's a real media server: large clip libraries, deep effects/FX chains, and mature live-performance workflows Projektor doesn't attempt.
- Arena adds soft-edge blending, DMX/fixture control, and NDI routing for large multi-projector and stage rigs.
- A decade of road-tested stability under demanding live conditions — Projektor is a single-machine browser tool, not a media server.
FAQ
Is Projektor a Resolume replacement?
For browser-based projection mapping with live shaders, cues, and MIDI — yes, and it's free and MIT-licensed. For large-scale VJ media-server work (huge clip libraries, deep FX, DMX, NDI), Resolume Arena remains the deeper tool; Projektor is not a media server.
Does Resolume have a free version?
Resolume offers a watermarked demo, not a free license. Projektor's free tier has no watermark and no timer, and the source is MIT-licensed on GitHub.
Can Projektor do projection mapping like Resolume Arena?
For core mapping — perspective-correct corner-pin, multi-shape surfaces, masks, blend modes, and Go Live — yes. Arena adds edge-blending and DMX for big rigs, which Projektor doesn't cover.
Can an AI agent drive Projektor?
Yes — Projektor ships an MCP control API so an agent can add surfaces, assign media, tweak shaders, and recall scenes. No VJ desktop app offers that.