Christie Mystique vs Ghost Arcade

Christie Mystique8.8Visit Ghost Arcade7.7Visit

Higher score Christie Mystique #2 in Projection Mapping Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Christie

vs

Ghost Arcade #5 in Projection Mapping Software 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Ghost Arcade

• Christie Mystique fits best

  Large-scale Christie projection installations

• Ghost Arcade fits best

  Open-source VJ and projection experiments

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Side by side

Feature	Christie Mystique 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Ghost Arcade 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	7.7
Ranking	#2 in Projection Mapping Software	#5 in Projection Mapping Software
Best for	Large-scale Christie projection installations	Open-source VJ and projection experiments
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Browser extension	Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Phone, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	10 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Christie Mystique 3/3 · Ghost Arcade 3/3
Edge blending	✓	✓
Live video input	✓	✓
3D mapping	✓	✓
Specs
Workflow	Not published	Hybrid
Projection outputs	3 outputs	Not published
Control protocols	Advanced	Advanced
Our review
Pros	Automates camera-based alignment, recalibration, warping and edge blending Supports flat, curved, dome, 360-degree and custom-shaped surfaces Offers REST control, browser operation and Pandoras Box integration	Corner, mesh, mask, blend, and multi-display projection tools 200+ effects, GPU shader instruments, and dual-deck VJ playback Runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux with MIDI, OSC, and Ableton Link
Cons	Advanced editions require a license The no-cost Lite edition supports up to three Christie projectors Live camera input is for alignment and recalibration, not content playback	No paid tiers for teams seeking a planned commercial progression AGPL-3.0 licensing may not fit every proprietary distribution model Its broad feature set may be more than simple mapping projects need
Our verdict	Christie Mystique is camera-based software for projector alignment, warping, blending and projection mapping in professional visual installations. It is aimed at teams operating Christie projectors across venues, immersive attractions,… Read the review →	Ghost Arcade is desktop software for projection mapping and live visual performance, aimed at VJs, projection artists, and developers exploring open-source visual workflows. It combines layers for video, images, text, 3D models, point… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Christie Mystique — where it wins

  • Automates camera-based alignment, recalibration, warping and edge blending
  • Supports flat, curved, dome, 360-degree and custom-shaped surfaces
  • Offers REST control, browser operation and Pandoras Box integration

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced editions require a license
  • The no-cost Lite edition supports up to three Christie projectors
  • Live camera input is for alignment and recalibration, not content playback

• Ghost Arcade — where it wins

  • Corner, mesh, mask, blend, and multi-display projection tools
  • 200+ effects, GPU shader instruments, and dual-deck VJ playback
  • Runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux with MIDI, OSC, and Ableton Link

  Where it doesn't

  • No paid tiers for teams seeking a planned commercial progression
  • AGPL-3.0 licensing may not fit every proprietary distribution model
  • Its broad feature set may be more than simple mapping projects need

• Christie Mystique8.8/10 · Free plan

  A focused choice for automating alignment and projection mapping across Christie systems.

  Visit ChristieFull verdict →
• Ghost Arcade7.7/10 · Free plan

  A broad, free toolkit for projection mapping, live visuals, and VJ performance.

  Visit Ghost ArcadeFull verdict →