Comparison

PixDrive vs. xLights

xLights is free, open source and firmly established in the Christmas lighting scene. PixDrive costs money and sets different priorities: live control from the console, effects in Lua and export straight to common controllers. Which one suits you depends on the project.

Try it free See pricing

Free demo · No registration · Mac & Windows

PixDrive fits if …

you want to run shows live and trigger them via OSC or REST from a console, QLab or Stream Deck
you want to write your own effects in Lua and test them live on the LEDs
shows should run without a Raspberry Pi, directly on an Advatek PixLite, DIAMEX LED player or WLED controller
you want support from the vendor rather than a forum

xLights fits if …

you don’t want to spend money – xLights is free
you are planning a Christmas show with music and many props and want to learn from a large community
you want to use images or videos in your show
you work on Linux or need protocols such as DDP or ZCPP

At a glance

PixDrive and xLights side by side

Feature	PixDrive	xLights
Price	PixDrive€29.90/month or €299.90/year	xLightsfree, donations welcome
License	PixDrivecommercial, works offline	xLightsopen source (GPL-3.0)
Operating system	PixDrivemacOS, Windows	xLightsWindows, macOS, Linux
Network protocols	PixDriveArt-Net, sACN, TPM2.NET, WLED	xLightsE1.31 (sACN), Art-Net, DDP, ZCPP, OPC
Sequencer with music	PixDriveyes, audio file as a timing track	xLightsyes, with beat tracking
Image & video effects	PixDriveno	xLightsyes
Play without a PC	PixDriveExport to Advatek PixLite (SHOWTime), DIAMEX LED player and WLED with SD card	xLightsvia Falcon Player (FPP) on a Raspberry Pi or similar
Support	PixDriveVendor (Zedfy GmbH)	xLightsCommunity: forum, Facebook group, wiki

Details about xLights based on publicly available information, as of September 2026. xLights is a trademark of its respective owner.

In detail

The differences

Free versus commercial

xLights is open source under the GPL-3.0 and costs nothing; development is funded by donations. For many hobby projects that is a strong argument, and we say so openly. PixDrive is a commercial product with a demo that has no time limit – you pay for different priorities and for support straight from the vendor.

Show planning and live use

xLights is built as a sequencer and show scheduler for synchronised light shows, typically set to music. PixDrive can also build shows to music in its sequencer, but puts a lot of weight on live operation: looks and shows are cues that a lighting console triggers via OSC or a Stream Deck via REST. That makes PixDrive interesting for events, clubs and installations that have to react on cue.

Standalone: FPP or straight to the controller

For shows without a computer, xLights uses the Falcon Player (FPP), which runs on a Raspberry Pi or similar hardware and plays the sequences. PixDrive exports directly into the controllers’ own formats: SHOWTime for the Advatek PixLite Mk3, TPM2 for DIAMEX LED players and .wled for WLED with an SD card. No extra mini computer needed.

Where xLights is ahead

xLights is free, also runs on Linux, comes with image and video effects and beat tracking and supports protocols such as DDP, ZCPP and OPC. On top of that there is a detailed manual, video tutorials and a large community. For Christmas shows with many props and music, xLights is mature. If that is what you need and you have no budget, it is the obvious choice.

FAQ

Common questions

PixDrive or xLights? Answered briefly.

Why does PixDrive cost money when xLights is free?

PixDrive is developed by a company and sets different priorities: live control via OSC and REST, a Lua script engine, an MCP server for AI assistants and export straight to Advatek, DIAMEX and WLED controllers. Try the free demo and decide then.

Can I build a show to music with PixDrive?

Yes. You put the audio file into the sequencer and build the show to the beat. The audio is not exported: only the light runs on the controller, and you play the music separately.

Do I need a Raspberry Pi for PixDrive?

No. For operation without a computer you export straight to the controller – an Advatek PixLite Mk3, a DIAMEX LED player or a WLED controller with the PixDrive SD expansion.

Can PixDrive play images or videos?

No. PixDrive has no video or image mapping. Content is created from effects, sequences and Lua scripts.

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 free See pricing

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