Software comparison

QLab vs TouchDesigner

QLab is a show-control application, while TouchDesigner is a real-time, node-based environment — they overlap in places but are often used together rather than as substitutes.

	QLab	TouchDesigner
Developer	Figure 53	Derivative
Country	United States	Canada
Category	Show control	Real-time & node-based
Platforms	macOS	Windows, macOS
Licence	Free to program; paid licences to run advanced features	Free non-commercial; paid Educational, Commercial and Pro licences
Skill level	Beginner → Pro	Intermediate → Pro
First release	—	2000
Best for	Theatre sound and video playback with simple mapping.	Interactive installations, generative content and custom show systems.
Key features	Cue-based show control Video surfaces with corner-pin & mesh warp Audio playback & mixing MIDI / OSC / Network cues	Node-based real-time 3D & compositing Projection mapping (Kantan, CamSchnappr) Sensor input (Kinect, LiDAR, MIDI, OSC) Python scripting Multi-projector blending Generative & audio-reactive systems

Verdict

Only TouchDesigner runs on Windows.

Choose QLab for theatre sound and video playback with simple mapping.

Choose TouchDesigner for interactive installations, generative content and custom show systems.

Facts are curated and checked against vendor websites; licences and prices change — always confirm on the official sites before buying.

QLab alternatives · TouchDesigner alternatives · All software