Processing
Free, open-source code sketchbook for learning to program through visual art.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · macOS, Windows, Linux
Is Processing free?
Yes, free and open source
Switch from Processing to
All 4
NodeBoxOpen source
- ToTouchDesigner
Starting price: $600 Commercial licence
p5.jsOpen source
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 4
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Processing
Processing is a programming environment and language built for artists, designers, students and teachers. You write short programs called sketches, press run, and see shapes, animations or interactive graphics in a window straight away. It started in 2001 as a project by Ben Fry and Casey Reas and is now backed by the non-profit Processing Foundation. The language is a simplified Java, and a library system adds video, sound, computer vision, PDF export and hardware control. Because it has been taught in art schools and coding classes for two decades, there is a huge stock of books, tutorials and examples. Processing is free and open source, with downloads for macOS, Windows, Linux and Raspberry Pi, and sketches can also target Android. Its sibling p5.js brings the same ideas to the browser. The catch is that you do have to write code, and its built-in editor is basic next to a full IDE.
Best for: Students, artists and teachers learning to code through visual and interactive sketches.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free and open source on every desktop OS plus Raspberry Pi
- Huge library of tutorials, books and examples
- Libraries for video, sound, hardware and PDF export
Why people leave
- Requires writing code, unlike node-based tools
- Built-in editor lacks the features of a full IDE
- Java-based runtime is heavier than browser-based p5.js
Processing vs NodeBox, TouchDesigner and p5.js
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Processing | NodeBox | TouchDesigner | p5.js |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source | Free plan + paid | Open source |
| Verified price | — | — | $600 Commercial licence | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Yes | Free app |
| Open source | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS, Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS | Web |
Top Processing alternatives
See all 4- 1NodeBox68.8
Free node-based tool for the same kind of generative graphics, with no code to write.
- 2ToTouchDesigner64.8
Visual node environment for real-time graphics and installations at a larger scale.
- 3p5.js61.8
The Processing Foundation's JavaScript take on the same sketch model, running in the browser with an online editor.
- 4
three.js42.3Brings sketches to the browser with full 3D scenes, models and shaders on WebGL or WebGPU.
Why people left Processing
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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Processing: common questions
What is Processing?
Processing: Free, open-source code sketchbook for learning to program through visual art. Best for students, artists and teachers learning to code through visual and interactive sketches. Available for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is Processing free?
Yes. Processing is free, open-source software.
Is Processing open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at processing/processing4.
What platforms does Processing run on?
Processing is available for macOS, Windows and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to Processing?
The highest-ranked Processing alternatives right now are NodeBox, TouchDesigner and p5.js. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Processing vs NodeBox: what's the difference?
Both Processing and NodeBox are free and open source. Both run on macOS, Windows and Linux.