Ghost Arcade vs MapMap
Ghost Arcade
ghostarcade.liveMapMap
mapmapteam.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Ghost Arcade | MapMap |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Spec score · Projection Mapping Software | 9.3 (#1) | 8.4 (#5) |
| Licence | The source is licensed under AGPL-3.0; modified network services must offer corresponding source code, while created videos and recordings remain the user's. | The GitHub repository identifies the project as GPL-3.0 licensed. |
| Support | The site links to a community forum, contact page, and Ko-fi support, and describes its open-source guide as usually replying instantly. | Users can report problems or suggest enhancements by opening a GitHub issue; the page also lists a mailing list, IRC channel, and email contact. |
| What it does | Ghost Arcade combines projection mapping, live VJ playback, show simulation and generative visuals for performances and installations. | MapMap is desktop software for projecting video onto irregular surfaces, aimed at artists and small teams. |
Plans
Ghost Arcade
- Desktop app (Ghost Arcade 2.0.16 and legacy 1.9)Free
- Ghost Arcade desktopFree
- Ghost Arcade iPhone/iPad$1.99, paid once
- iPhone and iPad app$1.99, paid once
In their own words
Ghost Arcade
Ghost Arcade is projection-mapping and VJ software for arranging visual layers, applying effects, mapping them onto surfaces, and performing live. Mapping tools include corner and mesh warping, slices, shape masks, soft-edge blending, and independently warped multi-display outputs. A 3D stage simulator and projection simulator support show planning and rehearsal. VJ mode offers two decks, an A/B crossfader with ten transition types, beat-quantised clip launching, macros, and snapshots. The software includes more than 180 effects, real-time GPU shader instruments, and ISF and GLSL shader support. Connections include MIDI, OSC, Ableton Link, Syphon/Spout output, and NDI video over a local network. AI shader generation accepts plain-English descriptions but requires the user’s own API key. The iPhone and iPad app supports clip launching, touch effects, projection mapping, camera inputs, and LiDAR point-cloud scans on supported devices. Desktop software is open source under AGPL-3.0, and the site permits paid gigs, installations, broadcasts, and subcontracted work. The desktop app costs nothing; version 2.0.16 requires an email to download, while Linux is listed for the legacy build.
MapMap
MapMap is projection mapping software for placing video and other media onto surfaces selected by the user. It is aimed at artists and small teams and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Mapping shapes include quads or meshes, triangles, and ellipses. The media library supports video, still images, animated GIFs, color paints or masks, and webcams on Linux. Preferred containers include MOV, AVI, MP4, OGG, and OGV, with listed codecs including Motion-JPEG or Photo-JPEG, MPEG4, and Apple Pro Res 422. Layers can be shown or hidden, isolated, locked, duplicated, deleted, and rearranged. Projects use the .mmp extension and XML format. OpenSoundControl can change source files, opacity, visibility, and volume, although it is unsupported on macOS. MapMap is free, open source under GNU GPL v3, and offers GitHub issues, mailing-list, IRC, and email support.