TouchDesigner
TouchDesigner is a real-time 2D and 3D interactive animation product for authoring interactive art, media, and visualization.
What TouchDesigner is
TouchDesigner is a real-time 2D and 3D interactive animation product for authoring interactive art, media, and visualization. Its integrated environment combines an application engine and user interface, supporting work from prototypes through polished applications. Control panel features support custom interfaces with mouse, touchscreen, gestural, and multi-person interactions. Derivative describes support for high-performance media systems, ultra-resolution video playback, and custom media servers. Projection mapping uses 3D simulation, multi-projector outputs, and an ultra-resolution video engine. Listed interoperability includes Ableton Live, Max/MSP, Substance Designer, Notch, vvvv, OpenFrameworks, Resolume, and Unity. Communication options include OSC, MIDI, UDP, TCP, ArtNet, DMX, WebSockets, Serial, and MQTT. TouchDesigner supports Windows and macOS; the current download page lists Windows 10 or 11 and macOS 13 or higher, along with GPU requirements. Non-Commercial licenses are for personal, educational, or evaluation use, not paid work. Listed paid options include Educational at $300 a month, Commercial at $600 a month, and Pro at $2,200 a month. Forum support is listed for all license types.
Good
- Combines an application engine and interface.
- Supports projection mapping with multi-projector outputs.
- Lists interoperability with creative and media tools.
- Includes support for multiple communication protocols.
- Forum support is listed for all license types.
Watch out
- Non-Commercial licenses cannot be used for paid work.
- Windows 10 or 11 and macOS 13 or higher are listed.
Who it suits
TouchDesigner suits artists and media makers building interactive work, visualizations, or projection-mapped projects. Its license terms distinguish non-commercial use from paid projects.
Verdict
TouchDesigner brings interactive authoring, media systems, and projection mapping into one environment. Review the license limits and platform requirements before choosing a plan.
Plans and prices
From TouchDesigner's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Commercial | Free | 1280x1280 resolution limit · personal use or learning · not for paying projects · 10 keys per account · FREE |
| Educational | $300, paid once | For schools, faculty and students · not for paying projects · unlimited GPU resolution · forum support · from $300 USD |
| Commercial | $600, paid once | For paying projects · unlimited GPU resolution · forum support · from $600 USD |
| Pro | $2,200, paid once | Commercial features · sync multiple processes or machines · hardware frame-lock · privacy features · Pro Support includes 6 hours · from $2200 USD |
The facts
Each one read from TouchDesigner's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Application building
- TouchDesigner combines the application engine and user interface in one integrated environment, supporting prototypes through polished applications.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Device support
- The site lists camera and depth sensor support including Kinect Azure, Intel RealSense, Ouster LIDAR, and Stereolabs ZED.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Platform requirements
- The current download page lists Windows 10 or 11 and macOS 13 or higher, with GPU requirements and recommendations for both.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Projection mapping
- The product supports projection mapping using 3D simulation, multi-projector outputs, and an ultra-resolution video engine.checked 2 Oct 2026
What it does
- Build stability
- Derivative labels experimental downloads as higher risk for bugs and recommends official builds when stability is required for live shows or installations.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Derivative lists interoperability with Ableton Live, Max/MSP, Substance Designer, Notch, vvvv, OpenFrameworks, Resolume, and Unity.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Interface design
- Its control panel features support custom interfaces, mouse and touchscreen controls, gestural inputs, and multi-person interactions.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Media systems
- Derivative describes TouchDesigner as supporting high-performance media systems, ultra-resolution video playback, and custom media servers.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Non-commercial limit
- Non-Commercial licenses are for personal, educational, or evaluation use and cannot be used for paid work with TouchDesigner.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Privacy and IP
- Derivative says Pro includes privacy features to protect intellectual property, and its feature page describes controls that restrict viewing and access to files and components.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Privacy policy
- Derivative's policy says members must provide identifying account details to download, license, purchase products, or participate in forums, and describes how that information is used.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- Listed communication options include OSC, MIDI, UDP, TCP, ArtNet, DMX, WebSockets, Serial, and MQTT.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TouchDesigner is a real-time 2D and 3D interactive animation product for authoring interactive art, media, and visualization.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- Forum Support is listed for all license types, while Pro includes six hours of direct support by email or phone.checked 2 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2000checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
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