How a set is built
Resolume organizes a performance around clips you trigger and mix, with effects on top. FRCTL builds looks from an effect chain on footage, a camera or generated sources, driven by a modulation matrix.
FRCTL vs Resolume
Resolume, made by Resolume B.V. in The Hague, is VJ software for playing and mixing media and effects live. Avenue covers VJ performance. Arena adds projection mapping, edge blending, SMPTE timecode and DMX. Wire is a separate node-based environment for building effects and generators. FRCTL is a browser-based VJ studio built around a chain of effects applied to video, images, a camera or generated sources.
Side by side.
| FRCTL | Resolume | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Effect chain applied to video, images, a camera or generated sources, plus Shader Lab for custom shaders | Live playback and mixing of clips with effects (Avenue, Arena). Node-based patching (Wire) |
| Platforms | Web browser. Windows desktop app on the Pro plan, with Spout and NDI output | macOS 10.15 or later. Windows 10 or later |
| Pricing | Free $0. Creator $12/month or $99/year. Pro $29/month or $249/year, first 7 days free. Lifetime plan listed as coming soon | Avenue €299. Arena €799. Wire €399. Perpetual licenses with 12 months of updates |
| Free option | Full toolkit with every effect and shader, live mode, no watermark. Exports up to 1080p, 30fps, 2 minutes. Personal and non-commercial use | Demo with all features. A watermark appears on the output and a robotic voice periodically names the software |
| Discounts | Yearly billing saves $45 on Creator and $99 on Pro | 50% off for students, teachers and educational institutions |
| Audio reactivity | Modulation matrix with LFOs, an envelope follower, sample and hold, and ten audio frequency bands. Beat detection | FFT from external audio, the composition or a clip, with low, mid and high bands. BPM by typing, tap, MIDI clock or Ableton Link |
| Custom content | Shader Lab (GLSL) | FFGL plugins. ISF shaders through Wire. REST and Websocket APIs |
| Sync and control | Tap tempo, automatic beat detection, and clock sync via MIDI clock or OSC. Clock output to external gear. MIDI learn | MIDI and OSC mapping. MIDI clock. Ableton Link. SMPTE and DMX on Arena |
| Video output | Second display. Spout and NDI on the Windows desktop app (Pro) | NDI and Syphon/Spout in and out. Advanced Output, with full features on Arena. Projection mapping and edge blending on Arena |
| Video input | Camera | Blackmagic, AJA and Datapath capture cards. NDI, Syphon and Spout input |
| Recording | Exports video files inside the app on every plan | Records the composition, layers, groups or outputs. QuickTime with the DXV3 codec by default |
| Built-in content | 170 effects in 16 families. 40 built-in typefaces for overlays | Over 100 built-in video effects |
| Marketplace | The Collective, for presets and loop packs. Selling on Creator and Pro | Resolume Footage store (VJ loops). Juicebar plugin marketplace |
Key differences.
Pricing model
Resolume sells perpetual licenses priced in euros. FRCTL uses monthly or yearly plans in US dollars alongside a free plan.
Free versions
Resolume's demo includes every feature and adds a watermark and a periodic robotic voice. FRCTL's free plan has no watermark and caps exports at 1080p, 30fps and two minutes.
Mapping and show control
Resolume Arena includes projection mapping, edge blending, SMPTE and DMX. FRCTL's feature list doesn't include these.
Using both
Resolume receives Spout and NDI, and FRCTL's Windows desktop app sends both, so FRCTL can run as a live source inside a Resolume set.