Notch
Notch is a real-time 3D motion-design tool with GPU-accelerated graphics.
What Notch is
Notch is a real-time 3D motion-design tool with GPU-accelerated graphics. Its node graph connects elements into motion-design workflows, and four physically based GPU renderers can be switched without changing the scene, lighting, or materials. Creative tools include compositing, cloners, video processing, physics, materials, particles, volumetrics, JavaScript scripting, and networking controls. Interactive integrations include Kinect, tracking systems and SDKs, lidar, TUIO, Blacktrax, and Windows Touch. Notch also supports OSC, MIDI, ArtNet, NDI, Spout, streaming protocols, virtual webcam output, and an internal Web/HTTP API. The Indie plan costs $279 a year for non-commercial use with 1080p export; a free 60-day trial is listed. Other listed options include VFX at $117 a month and RFX at $216 a month. Notch requires Windows 10 or higher on 64-bit x86 with a discrete GPU. A free NotchLC plugin supports Adobe video applications on Windows and macOS.
Good
- Four GPU renderers switch without changing scene materials.
- Includes compositing, particles, physics, and volumetrics.
- Supports interactive tracking integrations and control protocols.
- Free 60-day trial is listed.
Watch out
- Requires Windows 10 or higher and a discrete GPU.
- Indie use is non-commercial and limited to 1080p export.
- VFX costs $117 a month.
- Builder requires periodic internet access, especially for installation and activation.
Who it suits
Notch suits motion-design and visual-effects users building real-time graphics workflows, including interactive or live-compositing work. Its system requirements make it relevant to users with a Windows 10-or-higher 64-bit x86 system and discrete GPU.
Verdict
Notch combines real-time motion design with a wide set of creative tools, renderers, and interactive integrations. Check the Windows and GPU requirements, and choose a plan based on its listed export or playback terms.
Plans and prices
From Notch's own pricing page, checked 22 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Playback leasing | $91 a month | Unlimited projects · Unlimited locations · Only pay for the time you need |
| Fixed Installation HD | $835 a month | HD quality · 1 project · 1 location · Permanent content in one fixed location |
| Render Nodes | $50 a month | per machine · no recurring charges · physical Codemeter network dongle · monthly purchase |
| VFX | $139 a month | video professionals · exports up to 16k x 16k · no Notch Blocks or standalone EXE export · no tracking systems · monthly |
| Indie | $279 a year | hobbyists and non-commercial use · MP4/H.264/H.265 exports limited to 1080p · no NDI or Spout · no Notch Blocks or standalone EXE export · yearly |
| RFX | $315 a month | real-time rendering, shows and interactive installations · USB dongle license · no free Render Node included · monthly |
| Fixed Installation 4K | $1,815 a month | 4K quality · 1 project · 1 location · Permanent content in one fixed location |
| Playback licensing | Priced on request | unlimited projects and locations · pay for the weeks needed |
| Fixed Installation Unlimited | $6,995 a month | Unlimited quality · 1 project · 1 location · Permanent content in one fixed location |
The facts
Each one read from Notch's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- After Effects
- The Notch for After Effects beta supports Adobe After Effects 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 on Windows.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Connectivity
- Notch Builder requires periodic internet access, especially for installation and license activation, while Notch Playback does not require internet access to run after activation.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Creative features
- The feature set includes compositing, cloners, video processing, physics, physically based materials, particles, volumetrics, JavaScript scripting and networking controls.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Data location
- Notch states that it is a UK company and that its servers are located in the EEA, with safeguards such as standard contractual clauses for international transfers.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Interactive integrations
- Supported interactive integrations include Kinect, NVIDIA tracking SDKs, Xsens, OptiTrack, Perception Neuron, Hokuyo Lidar, TUIO, Blacktrax and Windows Touch.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Latest release
- Notch 2026.2 adds ONNX AI-image processing support, Gaussian Splats and Custom Shaders.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Node graph
- Its node graph lets users connect anything to anything for real-time motion-design workflows.checked 30 Sep 2026
- NotchLC plugin
- The free NotchLC plugin supports Adobe After Effects, Premiere and Media Encoder on Windows and macOS Intel or Apple Silicon.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Privacy contact
- Notch says it will try to respond to questions, comments or enquiries within 48 hours.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Protocols and APIs
- Notch supports OSC, MIDI, ArtNet, NDI, Spout, RTMP/RTMPS/RTP streaming, virtual webcam output and an internal Web/HTTP API.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Renderers
- Notch has four physically based GPU renderers called NURA that can be switched in real time without changing the scene, lighting or materials.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Security measures
- Notch says it uses commercially reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure or access.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The pricing comparison lists forum community, Discord community, email support and phone support, with premium support included in RFX.checked 30 Sep 2026
- System requirement
- Notch requires Windows 10 or higher on 64-bit x86 with a discrete GPU.checked 30 Sep 2026
- What it does
- Notch is a next-generation, natively GPU-accelerated graphics powerhouse and a 3D motion design tool that works in real time.checked 30 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Nochecked 22 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Supported platforms
- Windowschecked 22 Sep 2026
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