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Fluence

Free plan MacWindows

What Fluence is

Fluence is a visual performance studio for live VJing, projection mapping, and motion graphics, available for macOS and Windows. It combines layered clip composition, live triggering, an arrangement timeline, and output tools. Its library includes 16 clip types, such as shaders, video, audio, images, live web pages, capture, NDI, and generators. It supports ISF, GLSL fragment shaders, and Shadertoy JSON, including multi-pass work. Parameters can be controlled by keyboard, MIDI, or OSC, automated on a timeline, or driven by audio frequency bands. For projection, it supports multiple displays, mapped slices, warping grids, and edge blending. Fluence can record a composition or layer and export using 12 codecs, including H.264, ProRes, PNG sequence, HAP, and DXV3. It also supports Spout on Windows, Syphon on macOS, and NDI for network video input and output. The free download includes the full feature set, with a periodic watermark until license activation removes it. Windows requires a Vulkan-capable graphics card; Apple Silicon Macs need macOS 13 Ventura or later.

Who it suits

Fluence may suit VJs, projection-mapping artists, and motion-graphics creators who need live controls, display mapping, recording, or codec exports. It is for Windows or Apple Silicon Mac users who meet its stated system requirements.

What it does well

Includes 16 types of clips
Supports keyboard, MIDI, and OSC controls
Offers warping grids and edge blending
Exports in 12 codecs

What to know first

Free download adds a periodic watermark
Windows requires a Vulkan-capable graphics card
Mac support requires Apple Silicon and macOS 13 or later

Limits

The free download includes the full feature set but displays a periodic watermark until license activation removes it. Windows requires a Vulkan-capable graphics card; macOS requires Apple Silicon and macOS 13 Ventura or later.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Perpetual License	Free download includes the full feature set with a periodic watermark until license activation removes it	On request

As fluencelive.com lists them, read 3 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://fluencelive.com/.
Download Fluence for macOS or Windows.
Check that your computer meets the stated platform requirements.
Use the full feature set in the free download, then activate a license to remove the periodic watermark.

Verdict

Fluence combines live clip composition and performance controls with projection mapping and recording tools. Its free download includes the full feature set, but a periodic watermark remains until license activation.

Questions

Is Fluence free?

The free download includes the full feature set with a periodic watermark. License activation removes the watermark; a license price is not provided here.

Which platforms does Fluence support?

It supports Windows 10 or 11 and Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 13 Ventura or later.

What graphics hardware does Windows require?

Windows requires a Vulkan-capable graphics card. The maker lists NVIDIA GTX 600, AMD HD 7000, and Intel 6th generation or newer.

Does Fluence support projection mapping?

Yes. Output features include multiple displays, mapped slices, warping grids, and edge blending for overlapping projectors.

Can it work with external controls and video systems?

Parameters can map to keyboard, MIDI, and OSC. Fluence supports Spout on Windows, Syphon on macOS, and NDI for network video input and output.

Can users extend it with plugins?

Third-party clips and effects can run in Python, Node, or another executable runtime and communicate through shared memory.

Facts from Fluence's own pages

Clip types: The clip library has 16 types, including shaders, video, audio, images, live web pages, capture, NDI, and generators. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Composition: It combines layered clip composition, live triggering, an arrangement timeline, and output tools in one app. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Control API: A localhost TCP API uses newline-delimited JSON, and the app includes an MCP bridge with 55 tools for compatible hosts such as Claude. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Controls: Parameters can be mapped to keyboard, MIDI, and OSC controls, automated on a timeline, or driven by audio frequency bands. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Documentation and support: The full user guide is inside the app, and the maker directs users with other questions to email support. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Integrations: Fluence supports Spout on Windows, Syphon on macOS, and NDI for network video input and output. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
macOS requirements: Fluence supports Apple Silicon Macs with macOS 13 Ventura or later. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Plugin support: Third-party clips and effects can run in Python, Node, or another executable runtime and communicate through shared memory. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Projection mapping: Output features include multiple displays, mapped slices, warping grids, and edge blending for overlapping projectors. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Purpose: Fluence is a visual performance studio for live VJing, projection mapping, and motion graphics. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Recording and export: Fluence can record a composition or layer and export using 12 codecs, including H.264, ProRes, PNG sequence, HAP, and DXV3. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Security detail: The Control API is off by default and localhost-only, according to the maker. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Shader formats: Fluence supports ISF, GLSL fragment shaders, and Shadertoy JSON, including multi-pass support. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026
Windows requirements: Windows 10 or 11 is supported and requires a Vulkan-capable graphics card; the maker lists NVIDIA GTX 600, AMD HD 7000, and Intel 6th generation or newer. · fluencelive.com, 3 Oct 2026

Where Fluence stands on Freedom251

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