SurfaBeam Pro

Overview

SurfaBeam Pro is a projection-mapping app for placing and shaping media on physical surfaces. It suits artists and smaller event, retail, or home setups built around a single projector. Its mapping tools cover creative work well, but the free tier’s restrictions make it a poor fit for projects that need to be saved or exported.

Key features

SurfaBeam Pro lets users bend surface edges into curves and mask areas that should stay dark. Each surface can have its own media and mask, with transparent PNGs layered over video. This gives creators useful control over the composition; the one-projector limit, however, rules it out for multi-output installations.

It imports photos, videos, and GIFs from a device gallery. Pro can record and render a show as MP4, making it the more practical choice for repeat work or keeping a finished result. Camera effects that track a hand or body and a music visualizer with 12 modes add reactive options, although these do not overcome the app’s limits on outputs and control protocols.

Projection options include USB-C to HDMI, AirPlay, Chromecast, and the SurfaBeam Link receiver on Android TV or projectors. The maker says warping runs on-device and that the app collects no user data or accesses the camera, microphone, or location.

Pro saves a portable scene JSON file with links to media, not the media itself. Users must transfer those files separately, and there is no cloud sync—a manageable trade-off for local workflows, but inconvenient when moving projects between devices.

Pricing

The permanent Free plan costs nothing. It includes the mapping toolset, but projected and exported output carries a watermark, an entry gate appears before mapping, and saving, loading, and exporting are disabled. It is useful for trying the mapping workflow, not for maintaining or delivering projects.

Personal (Windows direct installer) costs $3.99 a month, billed $3.99/month. It includes Pro’s save, load, and export functions and is aimed at individual Windows users. Commercial (Windows direct installer) costs $499 a year, billed $499/year, and adds a commercial license for paid work.

It removes the watermark and entry gate and unlocks saving, loading, and exporting. Pro through Steam is a one-time purchase for Windows as a DLC for the free base app, with price not stated. Neither store option has a published price to compare with the Windows direct plans. There is no free trial.

Platforms

SurfaBeam Pro is available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. The published Personal and Commercial prices apply to the Windows direct installer; the Steam DLC is also Windows-only. Casting via AirPlay, Chromecast, or SurfaBeam Link broadens the projection choices, but the app remains limited to one projector output and has no DMX or timecode support. That makes it unsuitable for productions requiring synchronized control or multiple projectors.

Who it's for

Digital artists, DJs, creators, homeowners, and retail brands can use its surface shaping, layered media, and casting options for single-projector work. The Free plan is best for exploring the mapping tools; anyone who needs to preserve or export projects needs Pro. Event professionals planning larger synchronized or multi-projector setups should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Per-surface media and masks, plus transparent PNG overlays, support layered compositions.
• Pro can render shows as MP4, while casting supports several common routes to a projector or receiver.
• The permanent Free plan includes mapping tools, so users can explore the workflow without a trial deadline.

Cons

• Free cannot save, load, or export, and its watermark and entry gate limit practical use.
• One projector output and no DMX or timecode constrain larger event and installation workflows.
• Portable scenes link to media rather than bundling it, and there is no cloud sync.

Alternatives

For a broader projection mapping software shortlist, compare tools against the output and control needs of your setup.

Choose Disguise Designer if you want a free Starter plan for learning, training, testing, or pre-visualising projects without connecting to Disguise servers. Ghost Arcade is a free desktop option whose listed version includes all features with no tiers, trial, watermark, or expiry. Map Club suits users seeking a free plan with unlimited projects and surfaces, no watermarks, and all features unlocked.

Screenberry offers a non-commercial free plan with up to 2x 2K video output, but its license renews every 90 days and requires internet. Christie Mystique is worth considering when a free option for one webcam and up to three Christie projectors on flat screens fits the setup. MadMapper has a free tryout with all features, but video output and input are watermarked, DMX channels black out every 30 seconds, and space-scanner resolution is limited to one-quarter. MapMap is a free, open-source alternative. VIOSO offers a free plan with up to 10 saved projects and 250 MB of storage, as well as a paid Pro plan at €49 a month.

Verdict

SurfaBeam Pro is a strong fit for creators who want layered surface mapping and flexible casting for a single-projector setup. Its permanent free tier makes the mapping tools accessible, but saving and exporting require Pro, and separate media transfer adds friction between devices. Choose it for focused single-output work; look elsewhere for multi-projector shows, DMX, or timecode.