Honest Comparison

CueSync vs QLC+

QLC+ is a free, open-source lighting control platform. CueSync replaces hours of manual configuration with phrase-aware automation — 13 output protocols, GrandMA integration, and beat events processed in under 5 ms out of the box.

See Editions Open the 3D Virtual Stage

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

CueSync

1.0Connect
2.0Cue
3.0Fire
4.0Coordinate
5.0Recover

QLC+

1.0Connect
2.0Cue
3.0Fire
4.0Coordinate
5.0Recover

Feature	CueSync	QLC+
Real-Time Beat Synchronization	Sub-5ms beat, phrase, energy detection
Supported Integrations	13 output protocols (GrandMA2 Telnet + OSC, GrandMA3 TCP + UDP OSC, Avolites Titan, ETC Eos, ChamSys MagicQ, Resolume, disguise, TouchDesigner, Unreal Engine 5, QLab TCP + UDP, MIDI Show Control, Pangolin Beyond, Custom OSC)	DMX, Art-Net, sACN, MIDI, OSC
Lighting Console Integration	GrandMA2/3, Avolites Titan	None
Setup Complexity	Configure once, audio-reactive immediately	Extensive manual configuration required
Pioneer DJ Link
Visual Software Integration	Resolume, Disguise, TouchDesigner, Unreal Engine 5	None
SMPTE Timecode
Cue Stack / Timeline	Theatre & Production editions	Virtual console with manual triggers
Operating Systems	macOS (Windows & Linux coming)	macOS, Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi
Pricing	From $15/mo (free read-only mode)	Free (open source)

Why Teams Choose CueSync

Phrase-Aware Automation vs Manual Programming

QLC+ requires you to manually program every scene, chase, and cue. CueSync listens to the music and triggers automation in real time — no pre-programming needed.

Sub-5ms Beat Detection

CueSync's real-time beat synchronization reacts to beat drops, transitions, and energy shifts faster than human perception. QLC+ has no audio analysis capability.

Professional Console Integration

Trigger GrandMA macros and Avolites palettes directly from audio events. QLC+ operates as a standalone controller with no professional console integration.

Visual System Automation

CueSync drives Resolume, Disguise, TouchDesigner, and Unreal Engine 5 alongside lighting. QLC+ is limited to DMX-based fixture control.

Common Questions

Yes — QLC+ is free and open source, which is great for hobbyists and learning. CueSync is a professional tool with real-time beat synchronization, 13 output protocols, and console integration. It's free to download and explore in read-only mode. The subscription covers features that QLC+ simply doesn't offer.

CueSync is designed for audio-reactive and show-control automation, not manual fixture programming. For manually building scenes and chases from scratch, QLC+ may suit you. For live performance automation driven by music, CueSync is purpose-built.

CueSync is currently macOS only, with Windows and Linux support coming. QLC+ has broader OS support including Linux and Raspberry Pi. If Linux is a hard requirement today, QLC+ is the better choice.

Yes. CueSync outputs OSC and MIDI, with Art-Net/sACN DMX-over-IP in experimental beta. You can use CueSync for audio-reactive automation and QLC+ for additional fixture control on the same network.

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Feature

CueSync

QLC+

Real-Time Beat Synchronization

Sub-5ms beat, phrase, energy detection

Supported Integrations

13 output protocols (GrandMA2 Telnet + OSC, GrandMA3 TCP + UDP OSC, Avolites Titan, ETC Eos, ChamSys MagicQ, Resolume, disguise, TouchDesigner, Unreal Engine 5, QLab TCP + UDP, MIDI Show Control, Pangolin Beyond, Custom OSC)

DMX, Art-Net, sACN, MIDI, OSC

Lighting Console Integration

GrandMA2/3, Avolites Titan

None

Setup Complexity

Configure once, audio-reactive immediately

Extensive manual configuration required

Pioneer DJ Link

Visual Software Integration

Resolume, Disguise, TouchDesigner, Unreal Engine 5

None

SMPTE Timecode

Cue Stack / Timeline

Theatre & Production editions

Virtual console with manual triggers

Operating Systems

macOS (Windows & Linux coming)

macOS, Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi

Pricing

From $15/mo (free read-only mode)

Free (open source)