Notch
Notch: A broad Windows toolkit for real-time graphics, compositing, simulations, and media-server output. Ranked #22 of 37 in Visual Effects Software by our editors (6.5/10); pricing: 60-day trial; best for real-time show and media-server effects.
At a glance
- Editor score6.5 / 10
- Pricing60-day trial
- Best forReal-time show and media-server effects
- Free planNo
- Paid from$249/device/yr
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- GPU rendering with 2D/3D compositing, keying, tracking, and simulations
- Integrates with 15 listed media servers and creative platforms
- RFX supports live network editing and standalone or Notch Block export
Where it doesn't
- Windows 10 or higher, 64-bit x86 only
- No permanent free plan; the free option is a 60-day trial
- Indie excludes Notch Blocks and standalone executable export
Our verdict on Notch
Notch is Windows software for creating real-time 2D and 3D graphics, compositing, simulations, interactive installations, virtual production, and media-server content. Its node-based workflow brings together GPU-powered rendering, chroma keying, background subtraction, particles, fluid and smoke effects, volumetrics, physics systems, tracking, JavaScript scripting, and node-based logic. It is aimed at hobbyists, video professionals, live-show creators, studios, and interactive-installation teams that need real-time visual effects and flexible output options.
The licensing structure separates creative work, rendered-output workflows, and real-time show production. Indie costs $279 per year for hobbyists and non-commercial use, with the full creative feature set, NURA renderers, and 1080p video and still export, but no Notch Blocks or standalone executable export. VFX costs $117 per month when billed annually, $139 per month with monthly billing, $1,399 per year with annual billing, or $1,668 per year with monthly billing. It adds HDR and WCG support, NDI and Spout support, and VFX Block export. RFX starts at $216 per month when billed annually, costs $315 per month monthly, or $2,589 per year annually, and adds media-server Notch Block and standalone export, live network editing, and camera-tracking-system support.
For ecosystem fit, Notch lists integrations with Avolites Ai, disguise, Hippotizer, RealMotion, 7thSense Delta, TouchDesigner, Pixera, SMODE, LightAct, VYV Photon, Screenberry, Hecoos, Pandoras Box, Ventuz, and Dataton. NURA includes rasterization, ray tracing, and path tracing, while the feature set covers both rendered media and live environments. Choose Notch when GPU-driven effects, simulations, tracking, and media-server deployment are central requirements. It is less suitable for teams that need macOS support, a permanent free tier, or standalone and media-server export within the Indie license.
Your product? Our editors can test Notch in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Notch pricing
All 8 Notch plans and prices →
Notch fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $249/device/yr |
| Node-based compositing | Not verified |
| Keying tools | Not verified |
| Rotoscoping tools | Not verified |
| 3D camera tracking | Yes |
| Simulation tools | Not verified |
| Supported platforms | Not verified |
| Render engine | Not verified |
| Free trial | 60 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | Community, Email, Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 19 integrations: 7thSense Delta, Assimilate Scratch, Assimilate Live FX, Avolites Ai, disguise, Hippotizer … |
| Pricing | 60-day trial (source) |
| Website | notch.one |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Notch integrations
Notch lists 19 integrations on its own site.
- 7thSense Delta
- Assimilate Scratch
- Assimilate Live FX
- Avolites Ai
- disguise
- Hippotizer
- LightAct
- Pandoras Box
- Pixera
- Resolume
- Smode
- TouchDesigner
- VYV
- Screenberry
- NDI
- Spout
- BlackTrax
- stYpe
- Mo-Sys
Alternatives to Notch
- NukeA deep compositing system for professional film, television, and large-scale post-production.9.4
- Autodesk FlameA professional finishing suite combining compositing, editing, grading, tracking, and AI-assisted isolation.9.2
- FusionA broad VFX toolkit with a free Resolve version and a $295 Studio option.9.1
Also Ranked In
Notch is ranked in 4 of our directories.
Used Notch? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Notch for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Notch is listed in our Visual Effects Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/notch/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/notch.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update