MadMapper vs Ghost Arcade

MadMapper8.2Visit Ghost Arcade7.7Visit

Higher score MadMapper #4 in Projection Mapping Software 8.2/10 Free plan · paid from €39/mo Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit MadMapper

vs

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

• MadMapper fits best

  Artists and installations needing affordable mapping

• Ghost Arcade fits best

  Open-source VJ and projection experiments

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Side by side

Feature	MadMapper 8.2/10 Visit ↗	Ghost Arcade 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.2	7.7
Ranking	#4 in Projection Mapping Software	#5 in Projection Mapping Software
Best for	Artists and installations needing affordable mapping	Open-source VJ and projection experiments
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Tickets, Community	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	11 integrations	10 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features MadMapper 3/3 · Ghost Arcade 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	Supports multiple projectors, 3D surfaces, masking, warping, and blending Connects with MIDI, OSC, Art-Net, DMX, sACN, NDI, and more Includes timelines, cues, generative materials, and live video inputs	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	The free edition adds watermarks and recurring DMX channel blackouts The Artist license applies to the current 6.xx version Desktop editions are limited to Windows and macOS	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	MadMapper is desktop software for projection mapping, LED mapping, and stage visuals. It is aimed at visual artists, scenographers, stage designers, VJs, installations, and live shows that need to shape video across physical or LED… 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

• MadMapper — where it wins

  • Supports multiple projectors, 3D surfaces, masking, warping, and blending
  • Connects with MIDI, OSC, Art-Net, DMX, sACN, NDI, and more
  • Includes timelines, cues, generative materials, and live video inputs

  Where it doesn't

  • The free edition adds watermarks and recurring DMX channel blackouts
  • The Artist license applies to the current 6.xx version
  • Desktop editions are limited to Windows and macOS

• 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

• MadMapper8.2/10 · Free plan · paid from €39/mo

  A capable desktop mapper with broad live-control support and flexible licensing.

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

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

  Visit Ghost ArcadeFull verdict →