Pricing model
Synesthesia sells one-time licenses. FRCTL uses monthly or yearly plans alongside a free plan.
FRCTL vs Synesthesia
FRCTL and Synesthesia both create audio-reactive visuals for live performance. Synesthesia, made by Gravity Current, is a desktop app for macOS and Windows built around generative scenes written in GLSL. FRCTL is a browser-based VJ studio built around a chain of effects applied to video, images, a camera or generated sources, with a Windows desktop app on its Pro plan.
Side by side.
| FRCTL | Synesthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Effect chain applied to video, images, a camera or generated sources, plus Shader Lab for custom shaders | Generative GLSL scenes, mixed with crossfade or fade-to-black transitions. Videos, logos and webcams can be brought into scenes |
| Platforms | Web browser. Windows desktop app on the Pro plan, with Spout and NDI output | Desktop app for macOS and Windows |
| 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 | Standard $199 one-time. Pro $399 one-time. Includes 1 year of updates, then $60/year (the vendor notes this isn't currently enforced) |
| 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 | Trial with no time limit. Video output is marked with the Synesthesia logo |
| Audio reactivity | Modulation matrix with LFOs, an envelope follower, sample and hold, and ten audio frequency bands. Beat detection | Level, hits and presence per band. Beat detection and BPM detection (50 to 220 BPM). Mic, audio interface, or desktop audio on Windows |
| Custom shaders | Shader Lab (GLSL) | Scene editor for GLSL scenes (Synesthesia Shader Format). Shadertoy and ISF import |
| Sync and control | Tap tempo, automatic beat detection, and clock sync via MIDI clock or OSC. Clock output to external gear. MIDI learn | MIDI control. OSC input and output on Pro |
| Video output | Second display. Spout and NDI on the Windows desktop app (Pro) | Syphon/Spout output. Syphon/Spout input and NDI in/out on Pro. Fullscreen output to any display |
| Resolution | Exports up to 1080p on Free and Creator, up to 4K on Pro | Up to 1080p on Standard. Any resolution on Pro |
| Recording | Exports video files inside the app on every plan | The vendor FAQ points to external recording through Syphon Recorder (Mac) or OBS with Spout (Windows) |
| Built-in content | 170 effects in 16 families. 40 built-in typefaces for overlays | 80 built-in scenes plus 20+ free scenes on the Scene Marketplace |
| Marketplace | The Collective, for presets and loop packs. Selling on Creator and Pro | Scene Marketplace inside the app. Creators can apply to sell |
Key differences.
Where it runs
Synesthesia installs on macOS or Windows. FRCTL runs in a web browser, and the Pro plan adds a Windows desktop app.
How visuals are built
A Synesthesia scene is a GLSL shader with its own controls. In FRCTL, effects stack in a chain on top of footage, a camera or generated sources, and Shader Lab handles custom GLSL.
Free versions
Synesthesia's trial has no time limit and marks output with its logo. FRCTL's free plan has no watermark and caps exports at 1080p, 30fps and two minutes, for personal use.
Tempo
Synesthesia detects BPM from incoming audio and exposes it to scenes. FRCTL combines tap tempo and automatic beat detection with MIDI clock or OSC sync, and can send clock data out to external gear.
Recording
FRCTL exports video files from inside the app. Synesthesia's documentation recommends external recording tools.