Csound vs Pure Data
Csound
csound.com
Pure Data
puredata.infoSide by side
| Figure | Csound | Pure Data |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Sound Design Software | 8.9 (#1) | 8.4 (#6) |
| Documentation depth | The canonical manual is version 6.18.0 and contains command syntax, realtime I/O, configuration, language reference and extensive opcode sections. | The installed application provides object help patches with examples and comments, according to an independent programmer review. |
| Self-hosting | The project publishes source archives and build instructions for Linux, macOS and Windows, allowing local compilation. | The source repository includes build instructions and platform-specific source trees, allowing users to compile Pd themselves. |
| What it does | Csound is a sound and music computing system for synthesizing and processing audio through programmable instruments and scores. | Pure Data is a free real-time computer music and multimedia system built around visual patching. |
Plans
In their own words
Csound
Csound is a free sound and music computing system for creating music software and making music. Its uses include electroacoustic works, algorithmic jam sessions, app development, and game audio projects. The programming system offers more than 1,500 opcodes and supports traditional and functional syntax. Getting-started material demonstrates MIDI keyboard input, real-time audio input, synthesis, envelopes, and filtering. Csound code can run in a browser through the Csound Web IDE or be explored interactively in the FLOSS Manual without installing Csound. The project links frontends including Cabbage, CsoundQt, and Blue, plus wrappers or interfaces for JavaScript, Python, Unity, Android, and iOS. Downloads or packages are listed for Windows, macOS, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Android, and Web Assembly. An iOS SDK is also linked, and the latest Csound 7 beta installers for iOS are available through the relevant GitHub Actions page. The download page notes that Apple or Windows may warn that Csound is not trusted because the project cannot pay their licensing costs. Support channels include mailing lists, a forum, Discord, Slack, and Stack Overflow.
Pure Data
Pure Data (Pd) is a free graphical programming environment for combining media processing in real time. Its patch-based workflow supports audio and graphical processing, and it runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Artists use Pd for visual arts, theatre, dance, audio, installations, performance, and media art. It can also control hardware and electronics or develop interfaces for other programs. Pd's built-in Deken package manager installs external libraries that extend its functionality. Deken is mainly intended for Pd vanilla, though some other Pd flavors, including Plug Data, can use it. Package listings specify availability for macOS, Linux, Windows, or source compilation, and some packages are limited to particular architectures. Users can find a library or object and install a downloaded DEK package through Pd's Find externals tool. The listed plan is free; no paid plans or usage limits are stated.