Ghost Arcade vs Disguise Designer

Ghost Arcade7.7Visit Disguise Designer7.3Visit

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

vs

Disguise Designer #8 in Projection Mapping Software 7.3/10 Free plan · paid from $159/mo Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Disguise

• Ghost Arcade fits best

  Open-source VJ and projection experiments

• Disguise Designer fits best

  Large real-time 3D stages and media-server workflows

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Side by side

Feature	Ghost Arcade 7.7/10 Visit ↗	Disguise Designer 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.7	7.3
Ranking	#5 in Projection Mapping Software	#8 in Projection Mapping Software
Best for	Open-source VJ and projection experiments	Large real-time 3D stages and media-server workflows
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	$159/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	10 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Ghost Arcade 3/3 · Disguise Designer 3/3
Edge blending	✓	✓
Live video input	✓	✓
3D mapping	✓	✓
Specs
Workflow	Hybrid	Hybrid
Projection outputs	Not published	Not published
Control protocols	Advanced	Advanced
Our review
Pros	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	Combines 3D previsualisation, projection simulation and show programming Supports NDI, SDI, MIDI, OSC, DMX/Art-Net and timecode workflows Adds multi-user editing plus Unreal, Unity and Notch integrations
Cons	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	Professional production features start at $159 per month Runs on Windows only Advanced workflows may be more than simple projection projects need
Our verdict	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 →	Disguise Designer is Windows software for designing, visualising, sequencing and running real-time visual experiences. It is aimed at production teams working across large 3D stages, projection and LED environments, live video, show… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• Disguise Designer — where it wins

  • Combines 3D previsualisation, projection simulation and show programming
  • Supports NDI, SDI, MIDI, OSC, DMX/Art-Net and timecode workflows
  • Adds multi-user editing plus Unreal, Unity and Notch integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Professional production features start at $159 per month
  • Runs on Windows only
  • Advanced workflows may be more than simple projection projects need

• Ghost Arcade7.7/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit Ghost ArcadeFull verdict →
• Disguise Designer7.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $159/mo

  A Windows-only toolkit for complex 3D stages, projection workflows and live show control.

  Visit DisguiseFull verdict →