Compare · 26 October 2026
Grafit vs TouchDesigner vs Max vs Resolume
Four very different tools that people weigh against each other for live visuals. An honest overview — what each one is for, what it costs, and where it is the better choice.
| Grafit Pro 3.2 | TouchDesigner | Max 9 | Resolume Arena | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made for | Live visuals, sound and projection mapping on the Mac | Real-time visuals and interactive systems | Audio and music programming, also visuals | Playing and mixing clips live, mapping |
| Platform | macOS, Apple Silicon only | Windows and macOS | macOS and Windows | macOS and Windows |
| Price | Free 7-day trial, then €99.99 once | $600 with 1 year of updates; then $300/year | $399 once for 9.x | Licence with 1 year of updates; then €219/year |
| Free version | Player mode after the trial | Non-Commercial, resolution-limited | Trial | Demo with a watermark |
| Code | Not needed; Metal shaders optional | Python, GLSL for advanced work | Patching; JavaScript and Gen optional | Not needed |
| Projector output | Built in | Built in | Through packages | Built in |
| On-device ML | Tracking, depth, segmentation, pitch, transcription, built in | Nvidia tools on Windows, add-ons | Through packages | Not its focus |
| Community | Small and new | Very large | Very large, academic | Very large |
In one sentence each
- Grafit Pro — one Mac app from camera, microphone or data to the projector, with its own instruments; free to try, then one purchase.
- TouchDesigner — the industry's big real-time toolkit, strongest on Windows with Nvidia and Python.
- Max — the deepest environment for sound and music programming, with Max for Live and RNBO export.
- Resolume — the VJ's clip mixer, proven on large stages.
Questions
Is Grafit Pro a subscription?
No. Grafit is a free download from the Mac App Store. After a 7-day trial with every feature, one purchase of €99.99 unlocks Grafit Pro for good, with every 3.x update included. No subscription, no account.
Is there a free trial?
Yes: 7 days with every feature, no payment and no card. Start it inside the app with “Start 7-Day Trial”. It is an App Store item priced at zero, so it is tied to your Apple Account.
Does Grafit Pro run on Intel Macs?
No. Grafit is built only for Apple Silicon and needs a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later) with macOS 26.2 Tahoe or later. That is what lets it use Metal and the Neural Engine without compromises.
Do I need to code?
No. Patches are made of nodes and cables. When you want to, you can write Metal shaders right inside the graph, but nothing requires it.
Can Grafit Pro do projection mapping on several projectors?
Yes, without a second app. Advanced Output places slices of your picture on every display and projector, with corner pin, grid warp, edge blending, masks and colour per display. LED Wall builds a panel wall and Pixel Map drives LED strips over DMX.
Will updates cost extra?
Every 3.x update is included in Grafit Pro. A future major version will be a separate purchase, announced openly, and never a subscription.
Try it on your own Mac.
Free download. Every feature for 7 days, no card. Then €99.99 once — or keep playing your projects as a Player.
Focused comparisons
All trademarks belong to their owners; Grafit Pro is not affiliated with any company named here. Comparisons are factual, dated and link to the official pages — prices of other tools as listed on 26 October 2026. Tell us at work@siaspace.eu if anything is out of date.