Side by side
Phosphor vs Synesthesia
Both stand on audio visualizer software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Paid Mac
Phosphor provides extensive scene, effect, layering, and recording controls for Apple Silicon Macs. Its platform requirement and paid-only model narrow the audience, but local processing may appeal to privacy-conscious users.
Visit Phosphor
Free trial MacWindows
Synesthesia offers scene-based, audio-driven visuals with live coding and media inputs on Windows and macOS. The trial is useful for exploration, while Pro adds OSC and broader video-exchange support.
Visit SynesthesiaThe facts
| Phosphor | Synesthesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | A free trial |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Mac | Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Phosphor: $6.99, paid once | Standard License: $199, paid once |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | getphosphor.com | synesthesia.live |
| On audio visualizer software | #35 of 35 | #31 of 35 |
Phosphor: what it does well
- Visualizes audio from common Mac apps
- Floating, fullscreen, and wallpaper viewing modes
- Many scenes and stackable effects
- Exports MP4 or ProRes video
- Local processing with no network requests
What to know first
- Intel Macs are unsupported
- Requires macOS 14.4 or later
- No free plan
- One-time price is 6.99 USD
Synesthesia: what it does well
- Audio-reactive visuals synchronized to music
- Over 100 built-in and free scenes
- Imports videos, logos, webcams, and shaders
- Live coding tools with debugger and autocomplete
- Unlimited trial with most features
What to know first
- Trial output carries a Synesthesia watermark
- Standard activates on one computer
- Licenses must sync online every 30 days
- No video or transparent export
Alternatives to Phosphor Alternatives to Synesthesia The whole list