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SuperCollider vs Tidal Cycles: catalog facts
SuperCollider	Tidal Cycles
Free Free and open source under the GNU General Public License.	Free Free and open source.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Real-time synthesis engine controlled from code Client/server design allows multiple and non-native clients	Expressive pattern language for polyrhythmic and generative sequences Patterns can be changed live during a performance
Requires learning a programming language Linux release is offered as a source tarball on the site	Requires installing Haskell and SuperCollider Music is written as code, which takes time to learn
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 24, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

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