A ShaderToy alternative built for finishing your work

ShaderKit speaks the same language — mainImage(), iTime, iChannels, multipass buffers — and adds what ShaderToy famously lacks: video and GIF export, 8K cloud rendering, seamless-loop tooling, private projects and AI-assisted editing.

Paste your ShaderToy code straight in — no account needed to try.

ShaderKit vs. ShaderToy, honestly

ShaderToy is the reference gallery and community for fragment shaders, and nothing replaces its archive. ShaderKit focuses on the other half of the workflow: iterating on your own shaders and getting a finished, exportable result out of them.

CapabilityShaderKitShaderToy
ShaderToy-style GLSL (mainImage, iTime, iChannels)YesYes
Multipass buffers + Common tabYesYes
MP4 / WebM / GIF exportYes — built inNo (screen capture only)
High-res rendering (up to 8K, AA up to 8×8)Yes — cloud renderingNo
Seamless-loop tools (examination mode, X-time mapping)YesNo
Custom uniforms with UI controlsYesNo
AI editing of your GLSLYes — Vibe ModeNo
Private projectsYesUnlisted/private drafts
Built-in texture / audio / video / VR inputsLimitedYes — extensive
Community gallery sizeSmall, growingHuge — the standard

Moving a shader over takes a minute

Paste your code

Open the editor, paste your ShaderToy image pass. Buffer passes go into iChannel0–3 tabs; shared functions into the Common tab.

It compiles and runs

Same uniforms, same entry point. Compile errors, if any, show inline with line numbers.

Do what you came for

Perfect the loop, bump the resolution, and export to video, GIF or 8K stills.

Frequently asked questions

Can I run my ShaderToy shaders in ShaderKit?

Yes, in most cases. ShaderKit uses the same conventions — mainImage(), iTime, iResolution, iMouse, iFrame and iChannel0–3 buffers, including multipass setups. Shaders that rely on ShaderToy's built-in textures, audio or video inputs need those channels rebound.

Is ShaderKit free like ShaderToy?

The full editor is free forever — unlimited projects, local rendering, in-browser recording. Cloud rendering up to 8K and the AI assistant are paid (Creator, $7.99/mo with a 7-day free trial).

What does ShaderKit add over ShaderToy?

A real export pipeline (MP4, WebM, GIF, stills up to 8K with anti-aliasing), seamless-loop tools, custom uniforms with UI controls, private projects, forking, and AI-assisted GLSL editing.

What is ShaderToy still better at?

Community and archive. Over a decade of shared shaders and extensive built-in inputs (textures, audio, video, VR). For browsing and learning, ShaderToy remains unmatched — ShaderKit is for finishing and exporting your own work.

Bring a shader over and see

Paste your code, hit compile, export something. Free to try, no signup.

Open ShaderKit →