Compare software

projectM vs cava: catalog facts
projectM	cava
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source under the MIT licence.
Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Compatible with Milkdrop presets GPU-accelerated rendering	Works with PulseAudio, PipeWire, ALSA and sndio without extra glue Colours, gradients and smoothing are all configurable
The main repository is a library; the standalone app is a separate build Visual only, it does not play music on its own	Purely decorative; it is not an analysis or measurement tool Capturing system audio needs a monitor source configured
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-2.0	License: MIT
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.