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PixDrive

Comparison

PixDrive as a MADRIX alternative

MADRIX is one of the best-known programs for LED pixel mapping. But it only runs on Windows, is licensed with a USB dongle and tiered by universes. PixDrive also runs on the Mac, needs no dongle and has no universe limit. Here is the comparison – including the points where MADRIX is ahead.

Try it freeSee pricing

Free demo · No registration · Mac & Windows

PixDrive fits if …

  • you work on a Mac or switch between Mac and PC
  • you need many universes without buying a new license tier for every size
  • shows should run without a PC on Advatek, DIAMEX or WLED controllers
  • you write effects in Lua or want to control PixDrive via OSC, REST or AI (MCP)

MADRIX fits if …

  • you want to map videos or images onto pixels
  • you need timecode or MIDI
  • you work with a fixture library or 3D voxel mapping
  • you need outputs such as KiNET or Philips Hue

At a glance

PixDrive and MADRIX side by side

Operating systemPixDrivemacOS 12+, Windows 10 & 11MADRIXWindows 11 only (64-bit)
LicensePixDriveno dongle, works offlineMADRIXMADRIX KEY (USB dongle), one-time online activation
PricePixDrive€29.90/month or €299.90/yearMADRIXTiered license via dealers, e.g. start €69.90 (2 universes) or basic €1,557.71 (36 universes), each plus MADRIX KEY €144
DMX universesPixDriveunlimitedMADRIX2 to 4,104 depending on tier
Free demoPixDriveno time limit, live output on 1 universeMADRIXno Art-Net, DMX or sACN output
Network protocolsPixDriveArt-Net, sACN, TPM2.NET, WLEDMADRIXArt-Net, sACN, DMX512, KiNET, Philips Hue and more
Sequencer / timelinePixDriveyesMADRIXyes
Audio reactionPixDriveyesMADRIXyes
Custom effects via scriptPixDriveLua 5.4MADRIXMAS Script
External controlPixDriveOSC, REST, MCP serverMADRIXOSC, MIDI and more
Live pixel mappingPixDriveyesMADRIXyes
Video & image mappingPixDrivenoMADRIXyes
Timecode & MIDIPixDrivenoMADRIXyes
Fixture libraryPixDrivenoMADRIXyes
3D voxel mappingPixDrivenoMADRIXyes
Play without a PCPixDriveExport to Advatek PixLite (SHOWTime), DIAMEX LED player and WLED with SD cardMADRIXwith MADRIX hardware

MADRIX prices are German dealer prices incl. VAT; the MADRIX KEY is sold separately. Details about MADRIX based on publicly available information, as of September 2026. MADRIX is a trademark of its respective owner.

In detail

The differences

Mac instead of Windows only

According to the manufacturer, MADRIX 5 only runs on Windows 11 (64-bit). PixDrive runs natively on macOS 12 or newer and on Windows 10 and 11, and one license covers both systems. If you program on a Mac in the office and use a Windows laptop on site, you work with the same project file.

Universes without tiers

MADRIX licenses by output capacity: start with 2 universes, entry with 12, basic with 36, professional with 132, ultimate with 516 and maximum with 4,104. When the project grows, you need the next tier. The PixDrive full version has no device or universe limit – the price stays the same however large the installation gets.

No dongle

With MADRIX the license lives on the MADRIX KEY, a USB stick that has to be plugged into the computer. It can move between computers, but it has to come along. PixDrive needs no hardware for its license and also runs without an internet connection.

Where MADRIX is ahead

MADRIX covers a lot more ground: video and image mapping, timecode via Art-Net, MIDI or SMPTE, a fixture library, 3D voxel mapping and many output formats such as KiNET or Philips Hue. If you need any of that, MADRIX is the better choice. PixDrive focuses on pixel shows built from effects, the sequencer and Lua scripts – on the Mac, without a dongle and without universe tiers.

Try it yourself

Test PixDrive with your own LEDs

The demo runs with no time limit and no registration – on Mac and Windows. Live effects, LED layout and script engine with one device and one universe.

Try it freeSee pricing

macOS 12+ · Windows 10 / 11 · No account required