Features Comparison
Free vs Pro
Free includes the core features useful for most usages.
Pro removes project-size limits and adds advanced features, customization and integrations.
Free
- Core audio, visual, and project tools
- Desktop: 10 categories, 40 playables per category. Android: 6 categories, 24 per category.
- No account required for normal local use
Pro
- Unlimited categories and playables
- Advanced routing and recording
- Custom layouts, themes, grids, and icons
- OBS, QLC+, Twitch, OSC, MIDI, remote, and Stream Deck
Capacity and audio routing
Edition limits and advanced audio tools.
| Feature | Free | Pro | Limitations and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CategoriesTop-level project categories, previously called tabs. | 10 on desktop · 6 on Android | Unlimited | |
| Playables per categorySounds, visuals, actions, playlists, and other playable items. | 40 on desktop · 24 on Android | Unlimited | |
| Favorite playablesItems available from the Favorites panel. | 12 on desktop · 6 on Android | Unlimited | |
| Logical audio outputsIndependent mixes for the audience, monitoring, recording, or other destinations. | 2 | 16 | |
| Physical drivers per logical outputRoute one logical mix to one or more audio devices. | 1 | 8 | |
| Mono and stereo routingChoose channels and routing for common mono and stereo systems. | Included | Included | |
| 5.1, 7.1, and custom multichannel routingCreate advanced output layouts for multichannel hardware. | Not included | Included | Desktop only. |
| Microphone monitoring and recordingMonitor a microphone and record it directly into a playable button. | Not included | Included | Desktop only. |
| Logical output recordingRecord a complete logical mix to a 24-bit WAV file. | Not included | Included | Desktop only. |
Workspace and controls
Adapt Sound Show to the operator, device, and production.
| Feature | Free | Pro | Limitations and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Button labels, colors, tags, and palettesOrganize and identify cues without changing the workspace structure. | Included | Included | |
| Custom iconsUse artwork instead of, or alongside, button text. | Not included | Included | |
| Default dark themeThe standard Sound Show appearance. | Included | Included | |
| Daylight and custom themesChoose or create additional workspace themes. | Not included | Included | |
| Default desktop and mobile workspaceUse the standard interface suited to the current device. | Included | Included | Android selects the mobile workspace automatically. |
| Saved custom layouts and pagesCreate named workspaces with multiple pages and panel arrangements. | Not included | Included | |
| Custom grid dimensions and panel configurationResize grids, configure panels, and hide panel headers. | Not included | Included | |
| Secondary workspace windowsPlace operator panels in additional application windows. | Not included | Included | Desktop only. |
| Keyboard shortcutsLaunch cues and control playback in the foreground or background. | Included | Included | Global background shortcuts are desktop only. |
Integrations
Connect Sound Show to hardware and other software.
| Feature | Free | Pro | Limitations and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remote browser controlControl Sound Show from a phone, tablet, or another computer. | Not included | Included | The Sound Show host is supported on desktop. |
| Stream DeckRun Sound Show actions from an Elgato Stream Deck. | Not included | Included | |
| MIDIControl Sound Show from MIDI hardware and send MIDI messages. | Not included | Included | Desktop only; Android support is not complete. |
| OSCSend Open Sound Control messages to networked tools. | Not included | Included | Desktop support; Android to be tested |
| OBS StudioControl recording, streaming, scenes, and scene items. | Not included | Included | Desktop only. |
| QLC+Trigger lighting functions, widgets, and DMX values. | Not included | Included | Desktop only. |
| TwitchSend chat messages and react to supported Twitch events. | Not included | Included | Desktop only. |
Soundboard and projects
Build a show, prepare cues, and run live playback.
| Feature | Free | Pro | Limitations and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio playbackMP3, WAV, OGG Vorbis, FLAC, M4A, AAC, AIF, AIFF, and WMA. | Included | Included | WMA is available on Windows only. |
| Sound configuration and effectsVolume, pan, loop, fades, EQ, filters, compression, echo, reverb, speed, tone, and tempo. | Included | Included | |
| Waveform displaySee the waveform while playing a sound. | Included | Included | |
| Visual waveform and timeline editorEdit start and stop boundaries, loop regions, and timeline markers. | Not included | Included | |
| Play modes, fades, and crossfadesStart, toggle, fade, or crossfade sounds during a show. | Included | Included | |
| PlaylistsPlay sounds one after another with autoplay, shuffle, and loop options. | Included | Included | |
| InstructionsCombine sequential or simultaneous steps, delays, and operator input. | Included | Included | |
| Timers, schedules, random, and simultaneous actionsAutomate common show-control and cue-selection workflows. | Included | Included | |
| Search and FreesoundFind project items by title or tags and import sounds from Freesound. | Included | Included | |
| File and folder drag and dropAdd supported media from the file explorer. | Included | Included | Desktop only. |
| Subfolder-linked category importBuild linked categories from a folder hierarchy. | Not included | Included | Desktop only. |
| External command playablesStart other programs and scripts: .exe, .com, .bat, .cmd, ps1 | Included | Included | Desktop only; trusted projects only. |
| Project save, load, and Sound Show 1 importSave Sound Show projects and migrate compatible Sound Show 1 projects. | Included | Included |
Visual output
Send images, video, text, and web content to audience displays. Visual output is not supported on Android in either Free or Pro.
| Feature | Free | Pro | Limitations and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video projectionMP4, MOV, MKV, WebM, AVI, and M4V video playables. | Included | Included | Not supported on Android. Codec support can vary by operating system. |
| Image projectionJPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and WebP image playables. | Included | Included | Not supported on Android. |
| Webcam, color background, and text projectionBuild visual scenes from cameras, solid colors, and styled text. | Included | Included | Not supported on Android. Camera availability depends on the device and operating system. |
| Visual layers, opacity, fades, and orderingCombine and transition multiple visual elements. | Included | Included | Not supported on Android. |
| Audience display windowsIndependent windows that can be assigned to displays. | 1 | 8 | Not supported on Android. |
| HTML and JavaScript playablesShow custom pages and built-in templates such as clocks, timers, scores, dice, and drawing tools. | Not included | Included | Not supported on Android. |
| Web URL playablesOpen web content as a playable visual source. | Not included | Included | Not supported on Android. |
License and support
Install and use the edition that fits your production.
| Feature | Free | Pro | Limitations and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supported operating systemsOne application and one Pro edition across supported platforms. | Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android | Android does not include every desktop capability. |
| Account requiredAn account is needed for activation and device management; staying signed in is not required for permanent offline use. | No | Yes | |
| Activated devicesDevices that can use one paid universal license. | Not applicable | 3 included | Additional device slots can be purchased. Deactivate a connected installation to free its slot. If the old installation cannot confirm deactivation, each license includes two immediate replacements in any rolling 12 months. Further replacements require support. You must stop using Pro on the replaced installation. |
| Offline usePurchased Pro works offline without periodic checks. | Included | Indefinite after activation | When connected, Sound Show checks for blocked licenses and removed devices. Initial activation requires a connection. For devices that cannot connect, contact support. |
| Support and contactAsk for help, report a problem, or request a feature. | Included | Included |
Progression
Start with Free
Your projects will still work when you move to Pro
Download Sound Show, try to see if it fits your needs, test Pro with the free Pro trial and upgrade only when you need the Pro features.