VDMX for Linux? What runs on Linux instead, honestly
There is no VDMX for Linux: VDMX is a Mac-only app. Phosphor, a free and open-source VJ and projection-mapping app with ISF shaders and VDMX-style modulation, has a Linux build for 64-bit ARM computers such as the Raspberry Pi 5, and a version that runs in Chrome or Edge. This page says exactly what each one does today, because the Linux build is a preview with a specific job.
VDMX is a trademark of its owner; Phosphor is independent and not affiliated with it.
Is there a VDMX for Linux?
No. VDMX, by Vidvox, runs on macOS only: at the time of writing its site lists macOS 13 or later on an Intel or Apple-silicon Mac. There is no Linux or Windows version. (On Windows, see VDMX for Windows: Phosphor has a full Windows 10 and 11 app.)
What Phosphor offers on Linux
64-bit ARM Linux (preview)
Phosphor-linux-arm64.tar.gz is built for 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS (Bookworm) and Ubuntu 24.04 on ARM. The Raspberry Pi 5's graphics run it through Vulkan, and FFmpeg comes in a folder next to the program, so movies play without installing anything else.
Made as a player
Its main job: follow a Phosphor on a Mac over the network and play that show (project, beat, clips) on its own outputs and mapping, in sync. A small, cheap Pi behind each projector, with the show run from one Mac.
In the browser
On any computer with Chrome or Edge and WebGPU, phosphorfx.com/app/ runs layers, effects, shaders, generators, mapping and control surfaces with a free account. Whether your Linux browser has WebGPU switched on depends on its version and the graphics driver: chrome://gpu tells you.
What is not there on Linux
- No build for ordinary x86-64 Linux PCs. Only 64-bit ARM is built. On an Intel or AMD Linux machine, use the browser version.
- Not on Linux: Syphon, Spout and NDI, screen capture, and the Apple-only video tracking. These are listed in the build's own README.
- A preview. The ARM build is compiled, tested and launched automatically on GitHub's ARM Linux machines, but it is new and documented for the player role. The full editing experience is the Mac and Windows app.
Set up a Raspberry Pi 5 as a player
- Unpack it:
tar xzf Phosphor-linux-arm64.tar.gz - Install the few libraries it needs (Raspberry Pi OS with a desktop has most of them):
sudo apt install libxkbcommon-x11-0 libasound2 libvulkan1 mesa-vulkan-drivers - Start it:
Phosphor/Phosphor.sh - In the Session panel choose Follow another Phosphor, type the Mac's address, press Follow, and tick Every time Phosphor starts (a player).
- Put the Mac's movies and pictures on the Pi at the same paths (copy them, or mount a shared drive at the same place).
From then on the Pi starts as a player of the Mac's show. For a show that runs by itself without a Mac, see a video installation that runs itself.
How it compares
| VDMX | Phosphor | |
|---|---|---|
| Linux | No | 64-bit ARM, preview (player); browser on other PCs |
| Windows | No | Windows 10 / 11, preview |
| Mac | macOS 13+ | macOS 13+ (Apple silicon), 10.15+ (Intel build) |
| Price | 199 USD, Plus 349 USD (at the time of writing) | Free, open source (GPL) |
| ISF shaders | ✅ | ✅ ships Vidvox's free ISF collection |
Questions
Is there a VDMX for Linux?
No. VDMX runs on macOS only. Phosphor, a free and open-source VJ app with ISF shaders, has a preview build for 64-bit ARM Linux (such as a Raspberry Pi 5) and a browser version for Chrome or Edge with WebGPU.
Does Phosphor run on x86-64 Linux?
Not as a desktop app: the Linux build is 64-bit ARM only. On an Intel or AMD Linux PC, use the browser version if your Chrome or Edge has WebGPU.
Can a Raspberry Pi 5 run VJ software?
Yes, as a player: Phosphor's ARM Linux build follows a Phosphor on a Mac over the network and plays its show on the Pi's own outputs and mapping, with the media copied to the same paths.
Does the Linux build do NDI or Syphon?
No. Syphon, Spout, NDI, screen capture and the Apple-only tracking are not available on Linux. NDI works in the Mac and Windows apps.
Is Phosphor free on Linux?
Yes. Phosphor is free and open source (GPL) on every platform; the source is on GitHub.
Try it
Download the ARM Linux build, open Phosphor in the browser, or see every download. More: VDMX for Windows · VDMX alternative · Phosphor vs VDMX, Resolume and MadMapper · projection mapping guide.