TouchDesigner is a full node-based environment for interactive media. If what you actually do is write GLSL and get a looping video out of it, ShaderKit does that in the browser: no install, built-in MP4/GIF export, 8K cloud rendering, seamless-loop tools and AI-assisted editing.
No install and no account needed to try.
These are different kinds of tool. TouchDesigner is a general real-time visual programming environment where GLSL is one component. ShaderKit only does one thing, GLSL shaders, and tries to make the path from code to a finished video short. It does not replace TouchDesigner for live, interactive or multi-input work.
| Capability | ShaderKit | TouchDesigner |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Focused GLSL shader editor | Node-based real-time media environment |
| Install required | No — runs in the browser | Yes — Windows 10/11, macOS 13+ |
| Free tier | Full editor free, unlimited projects | Non-Commercial: free, output capped at 1280×1280, not for paying projects |
| Paid pricing | Cloud rendering and AI from $7.99/mo | Commercial $600, Pro $2,200 (Derivative's shop, Oct 2026) |
| Time to first shader | Open the page and paste GLSL | Install, then learn operators and networks |
| ShaderToy-style GLSL (mainImage, iTime) | Runs as-is | Needs wrapping in a GLSL TOP/MAT |
| MP4 / WebM / GIF export | Yes — built in | Yes — via movie output operators |
| High-res rendering (up to 8K, AA up to 8×8) | Yes — cloud rendering | Your own GPU; free tier capped |
| Seamless-loop tools (examination mode, X-time mapping) | Yes | Build it yourself in a network |
| AI editing of your GLSL | Yes — Vibe Mode | Not built in |
| Shareable links, public gallery, forking | Yes | No — local project files |
| 3D, video/audio inputs, MIDI/OSC, hardware, Python | No | Yes — its core strength |
| Live shows and installations | No | Yes — the industry standard |
TouchDesigner prices and limits are from Derivative's shop and download pages, checked October 2026. They change; confirm at derivative.ca.
You write fragment shaders and want a looping clip, GIF or high-resolution still without learning a node environment. See shader-to-video export.
You need live input, 3D, audio, hardware control, scripting, or you are building a show or installation.
Prototype and loop a shader in ShaderKit, render it, then bring the video, or the GLSL itself, into a TouchDesigner project.
For GLSL fragment shaders, ShaderKit. The full editor is free — 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). It is not a replacement for TouchDesigner as a whole.
TouchDesigner is a node-based environment where GLSL is one tool among many. ShaderKit is only a GLSL editor: write the shader, perfect the loop, export video, GIF or 8K stills.
There is a free Non-Commercial license, limited to 1280×1280 output and not for paying projects. Commercial is $600 and Pro $2,200 as of October 2026.
Paste your code, hit compile, export something. Free to try, no signup.
Open ShaderKit →