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Polychromatic

polychromatic.app

Free plan Linux
Visit polychromatic.app
Spec score 7.3 #16 of 33 in RGB Lighting Software

What it is

Polychromatic is a free, open-source GNU/Linux frontend for OpenRazer. It controls lighting and other settings on supported Razer peripherals, with the home page listing more than 210 devices including keyboards, mice, mouse mats, and headsets. You can adjust built-in effects, brightness, DPI, and polling interval, or create static and animated mappings from pixels and frames for games, applications, or ambience. The app shows firmware versions and serial numbers and can test individually addressable LEDs. A tray applet provides settings access when the desktop supports system-tray indicators, and a troubleshooter addresses problems such as OpenRazer failures or missing devices. It runs locally without cloud services or a login and is licensed under GPLv3. Polychromatic supports OpenRazer only; other brands are unavailable, and key remapping is not supported.

Spec sheet

What it does
Polychromatic is a frontend for OpenRazer that lets users control Razer device lighting effects and other features on GNU/Linux.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
License
Polychromatic is free and open source under the GPLv3 license.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
CLI status
The maker says polychromatic-cli is deprecated and will be removed in the next major version.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.polychromatic.app
Custom effects
Users can create static or animated lighting mappings from pixels and frames for games, applications, or ambience.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
Device information
Users can inspect firmware version and serial number and test individually addressable LEDs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
Feature limit
Key remapping is not supported, and the maker says the application's main strength is RGB lighting effects.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.polychromatic.app
Hardware settings
The application provides controls for built-in effects, brightness, DPI, and polling interval.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
Integration
Polychromatic currently supports OpenRazer; the maker says support for other brands is not available now and has no ETA.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.polychromatic.app
Local operation
The software runs locally on the computer and does not require cloud services or a login.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
Operating system limit
Polychromatic only runs on GNU/Linux; Windows and macOS are not currently supported.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
Project independence
The maker states that Polychromatic and OpenRazer are not affiliated with Razer.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
Supported devices
The home page says it supports over 210 OpenRazer devices, including keyboards, mice, mouse mats, and headsets.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
Tray applet
The tray applet can change device settings and lighting when the desktop environment supports a system tray or indicators.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app
Troubleshooting
The application includes a troubleshooter for issues such as OpenRazer not working or devices not being found.Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app

Plans and prices

Polychromatic Free Free and open source · GNU/Linux only · OpenRazer devices Read 4 Oct 2026 · polychromatic.app

Every Polychromatic plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source under GPLv3
  • Supports over 210 OpenRazer devices
  • Creates static and animated lighting mappings
  • Runs locally without cloud services or login
  • Includes a device troubleshooting tool

Limits

  • GNU/Linux only
  • Other hardware brands are unsupported
  • Key remapping is unavailable
  • polychromatic-cli is deprecated

Who it suits

It suits GNU/Linux users with OpenRazer-compatible Razer peripherals who want local lighting and device controls. It is especially focused on RGB effects rather than remapping keys.

Verdict

Polychromatic provides local, open-source control of supported Razer lighting and hardware settings. Its scope is deliberately narrow: GNU/Linux, OpenRazer devices, and lighting-focused controls.

Where Specifiction places it

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