Lightkey

At a glance

• Editor score
  5.8 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan · 7-day trial
• Best for
  Mac-based live control of small lighting rigs
• Free plan
  Yes
• 3D visualization
  Yes
• Facts checked
  4 Oct 2026

• Where it wins

  • Live preview, 2D stage editor and fixture patching support rig planning.
  • Cue, preset and sequence tools pair with an effects engine with 70+ templates.
  • DMX output supports USB interfaces, Art-Net, sACN and ESP-Net.

• Where it doesn't

  • Available only as a macOS desktop application.
  • Free edition limits DMX output to 24 channels and five smart lights.
  • Paid licenses are valid for one year.

Our verdict on Lightkey

Lightkey is a native macOS application for controlling DMX fixtures and Philips Hue smart lights. It is aimed at solo operators and small teams who need to prepare and run lighting cues from a Mac, rather than at users seeking a broad, platform-neutral design suite. A live preview uses virtual beams to show fixture states and positions, while the 2D stage editor arranges fixtures, shapes, trusses and custom images. Fixture patching and an editable profile editor help adapt a rig to the software.

Its workflow combines cue, preset and sequence organization with an effects engine offering 70+ templates. Output can go through supported USB DMX interfaces or network protocols Art-Net, sACN and ESP-Net. External control options include DMX-In, MIDI, OSC, keyboard shortcuts and macOS Shortcuts; beat synchronization works with MIDI Clock or Ableton Link. Philips Hue control extends the same cueing environment to smart lights. These connections make Lightkey a fit where live operation and integration with music or external controls matter more than a 3D design pipeline.

The free edition includes the full feature set, but limits output to 24 DMX channels and five smart lights. Paid licenses raise the channel limit through 256, 512, 1024 and 8192 DMX channels; each lists the complete feature set, free updates and support, and a one-year license term. A seven-day free trial is also offered, and the vendor's store lists prices in US dollars. Choose Lightkey if the Mac-only constraint suits your setup and you need live cue control for a compact rig. Look elsewhere if you need Windows support or a product centered on 3D visualization and conventional lighting-design workflows.

Lightkey pricing

All 5 Lightkey plans and prices →

Lightkey fact sheet

Lightkey integrations

Lightkey lists 9 integrations on its own site.

• Art-Net
• sACN
• ESP-Net
• MIDI
• Open Sound Control (OSC)
• Ableton Link
• Ableton Live
• Philips Hue
• macOS Shortcuts

Alternatives to Lightkey

• VSVectorworks SpotlightAn end-to-end CAD workflow for lighting design, from drafting to DMX previsualization.9.2
• DIALuxA Windows lighting design tool with a free core and paid BIM and export features.8.8
• VVVectorworks VisionA console-connected 3D workspace for reviewing production lighting before load-in.8.7

See all Lightkey alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 4 Oct 2026 · How we research and update