Relackout

Best Lightkey alternatives in 2026

Explore alternatives to Lightkey, starting with Relackout, and compare their strengths.

  1. Our first choice

    1. Relackout

    • Choose monthly, yearly or lifetime licensing, with a 14-day free trial.
    • Program lighting against music directly in Show Timeline instead of requiring Ableton Live.
    • Use a phone or tablet through Relackout's browser Remote without a third-party control app.
    • Run the same lighting workflow on Windows and Linux as well as macOS.
    • Preview the rig in a built-in 3D stage view rather than a 2D stage layout.
    Relackout vs Lightkey

  2. 2. Daslight 4

    Scene-based DMX software with custom controls and DVC standalone playback.

    sACN (E1.31) output
    Not supported

    Not listed in the manual's DMX/output device specifications

    [4]
    Show timeline with audio
    Not supported

    Not listed in the official Daslight 4 programming feature list

    [1]
    OSC control
    Not supported

    Not listed among the manual's live-control input options

    [4]
    Compare with Daslight 4

  3. 3. EMU

    Desktop lighting software with audio-reactive effects and DAW plug-in control.

    sACN (E1.31) output
    Not supported

    Not listed in official output specifications: Art-Net and USB DMX

    [1] [2]
    OSC control
    Not supported

    Not listed in official control specifications: audio, MIDI and VST3

    [1] [2] [5]
    Show timeline with audio
    Add-on required

    Separate DAW hosts the plug-in timeline

    [1] [2]
    Compare with EMU

  4. 4. FreeStyler DMX

    A free Windows controller for DJ and venue lighting, with sequences and customizable touchscreen operation.

    Output settings per venue
    Not supported

    Network/output settings omitted from official location-file contents specification

    [12]
    3D stage preview
    Add-on required

    Separate Magic 3D Easy View application; basic integration is free

    [1] [5]
    Sound-reactive lighting
    Add-on required

    Separate free Sound 2 Light application, bundled with FreeStyler

    [9]
    Compare with FreeStyler DMX

  5. 5. MADRIX 5

    Windows-based generative LED control for specialist pixel and voxel installations.

    Art-Net output
    Add-on required

    Requires MADRIX KEY with an output license

    [1] [2]
    sACN (E1.31) output
    Add-on required

    Requires MADRIX KEY with an output license

    [1] [2]
    USB DMX interfaces
    Add-on required

    MADRIX USB ONE, NEO, LUNA and others; licensed KEY required

    [2] [12]
    Compare with MADRIX 5

  6. 6. ShowXpress

    Desktop lighting control with multimedia timelines and CHAUVET DJ interfaces.

    sACN (E1.31) output
    Not supported

    Not listed in V_II manual's complete output configuration

    [5]
    OSC control
    Not supported

    Not listed in V_II manual's complete external-control configuration

    [5]
    Art-Net output
    Add-on required

    Unlocked by compatible Xpress hardware, including Xpress 1024W

    [4]
    Compare with ShowXpress

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