KodeLife

Real-time GPU shader editor for live-coding visuals on desktop and mobile.

PaidCreative coding tools

Updated Nov 7, 2026 · AppBreakup editorial · macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

Visit KodeLife See 4 alternatives

Is KodeLife free?

No, it's a paid product

Free trial:: Unrestricted download to try

Checked on KodeLife's site Nov 8, 2026

3 alternatives with a free option

Switch from KodeLife to

All 4

To
TouchDesigner
Starting price: $600 Commercial licence
Hy
Hydra
Open source
Processing
Open source

Verified facts: 5 of 5
Alternatives ranked: 4
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About KodeLife

KodeLife, from Hexler, is a small app for writing GPU shaders and seeing the result update as you type. Code is compiled in the background, so you can prototype visual effects without opening a full game engine. It supports OpenGL GLSL in its various flavours, Apple's Metal Shading Language and DirectX HLSL, with basic compute shader support. Output can be shared live with other apps through Syphon on macOS and Spout on Windows, which makes it useful for VJs and live-visual setups, or exported as PNG captures. It runs on macOS, Windows and Linux, including Raspberry Pi, with iOS and Android versions sold through the app stores. The desktop download is fully usable for evaluation; a one-time licence covers one person on all desktop platforms, with no subscription. It suits shader artists, graphics programmers and live performers who want a desktop equivalent of Shadertoy.

Best for: Shader artists and VJs who want instant GLSL, Metal or HLSL feedback outside a game engine.

KodeLife pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)

Each line is quoted from KodeLife's own site, with the page it came from.

Plan or term	What it says	Checked	Source
Pricing	One-time licence, no subscription	Nov 8, 2026	hexler.net
Free trial	Unrestricted download to try	Nov 8, 2026	hexler.net

What works

Live recompiling as you type, with no engine to start
Supports GLSL, Metal and HLSL shaders
Syphon and Spout output for live-visual rigs
One-time licence covering Mac, Windows and Linux

Why people leave

Focused on shaders only; no node graph or general scene tools
Mobile versions are bought separately in the app stores
Compute shader support is basic

KodeLife vs TouchDesigner, Hydra and Processing

From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.

Attribute	KodeLife	TouchDesigner	Hydra	Processing
Pricing	Paid	Free plan + paid	Open source	Open source
Verified price	—	$600 Commercial licence	—	—
Free plan	No	Yes	Free app	Free app
Open source	No	No	No	Yes
Self-hostable	No	No	No	No
Platforms	macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS	Web	macOS, Windows, Linux

Top KodeLife alternatives

See all 4

1To
TouchDesigner
Node-based real-time visuals platform that also runs GLSL, for full live-show and installation work.
68.8
2Hy
Hydra
Free browser-based live-coding video synth for quick visuals without installing anything.
64.8
3
Processing
Free creative-coding sketchbook that can run shaders alongside general drawing code.
61.8
4
Max (Cycling '74)
Visual programming for audio and video with Jitter's GPU shaders, for interactive performance setups.
59.4

Why people left KodeLife

In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.

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Reviews

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KodeLife: common questions

What is KodeLife?

KodeLife: Real-time GPU shader editor for live-coding visuals on desktop and mobile. Best for shader artists and VJs who want instant GLSL, Metal or HLSL feedback outside a game engine. Available for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.

Is KodeLife free?

No, KodeLife is a paid product.

How much does KodeLife cost?

KodeLife is a paid product. Pricing: One-time licence, no subscription; Free trial: Unrestricted download to try. Checked on KodeLife's own site, November 2026.

Does KodeLife have a free trial or refund?

Free trial: Unrestricted download to try. Source: KodeLife's own site.

Is KodeLife open source?

No, KodeLife is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Processing.

What platforms does KodeLife run on?

KodeLife is available for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.

What are the best alternatives to KodeLife?

The highest-ranked KodeLife alternatives right now are TouchDesigner, Hydra and Processing. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

KodeLife vs TouchDesigner: what's the difference?

KodeLife is a paid product; TouchDesigner is free with paid plans. Only KodeLife runs on Linux, iOS and Android.

See all 4 KodeLife alternatives

KodeLife facts

5 of 5 verified

Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android; Checked Nov 8, 2026hexler.net(opens source in a new tab); “Available now on macOS , Windows and various flavors of Linux - including Raspberry Pi - as well as iOS and Android .”
Pricing: One-time licence, no subscription; Checked Nov 8, 2026hexler.net(opens source in a new tab); “Licenses are one-time purchases - no subscriptions”
Free trial: Unrestricted download to try; Checked Nov 8, 2026hexler.net(opens source in a new tab); “Get a license Please try before you buy - the downloads above have no restrictions”
Shader languages: GLSL, Metal, HLSL; Checked Nov 8, 2026hexler.net(opens source in a new tab); “Multilingual KodeLife supports all flavors of OpenGL GLSL , as well as platform specific shading languages such as the Metal Shading Language and DirectX HLSL , with more to be added.”
Video sharing: Syphon and Spout; Checked Nov 8, 2026hexler.net(opens source in a new tab); “using Syphon and Spout or export PNG screen caps of your creation.”