Ghost Arcade vs LightAct

Ghost Arcade7.7Visit LightAct7.4Visit

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

vs

LightAct #7 in Projection Mapping Software 7.4/10 Free plan · paid from €1,770 Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit LightAct

• Ghost Arcade fits best

  Open-source VJ and projection experiments

• LightAct fits best

  Windows teams needing study and projection mapping

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Side by side

Feature	Ghost Arcade 7.7/10 Visit ↗	LightAct 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.7	7.4
Ranking	#5 in Projection Mapping Software	#7 in Projection Mapping Software
Best for	Open-source VJ and projection experiments	Windows teams needing study and projection mapping
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	10 integrations	13 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Ghost Arcade 3/3 · LightAct 3/3
Edge blending	✓	✓
Live video input	✓	✓
3D mapping	✓	✓
Specs
Workflow	Hybrid	Hybrid
Projection outputs	Not published	2 outputs
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 projection study, 2D mapping, 3D mapping, and calibration. Supports automatic blending, timecode, live inputs, and advanced control. Offers LightNet multi-server clustering and broad live-production 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	Runs only on Windows hardware with discrete Nvidia graphics. Easy Perpetual starts at €1,770 one-time. Several higher-tier license prices are not shown in the listed plans.
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 →	LightAct is media server software for live events and immersive fixed installations. It is designed for professional show operators, projection designers, and production teams working on large-scale video, lighting, and interactive… 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

• LightAct — where it wins

  • Combines projection study, 2D mapping, 3D mapping, and calibration.
  • Supports automatic blending, timecode, live inputs, and advanced control.
  • Offers LightNet multi-server clustering and broad live-production integrations.

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs only on Windows hardware with discrete Nvidia graphics.
  • Easy Perpetual starts at €1,770 one-time.
  • Several higher-tier license prices are not shown in the listed plans.

• Ghost Arcade7.7/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit Ghost ArcadeFull verdict →
• LightAct7.4/10 · Free plan · paid from €1,770

  A Windows-focused media server with deep mapping, calibration, and live-control features.

  Visit LightActFull verdict →