SurfaBeam Pro

SurfaBeam Pro is a projection and video mapping app for aligning visuals with real-world surfaces using a phone, tablet, or PC. It lets users bend surface edges into curves and mask areas that should remain dark. Each surface can have its own media and mask, and transparent PNGs can be layered over video. The app imports photos, videos, and GIFs from a device gallery; Pro can record and render a show as MP4. Other tools include camera effects that track a hand or body and a music visualizer with 12 modes. Projectors can connect through USB-C to HDMI, AirPlay, Chromecast, or the SurfaBeam Link receiver on Android TV or projectors. The permanent Free plan includes the mapping toolset, but projected and exported output has a watermark, mapping has an entry gate, and projects cannot be saved, loaded, or exported. Pro removes the watermark and gate and enables those project actions. The maker says warping runs on-device and that the app collects no user data or access to the camera, microphone, or location. The app supports one projector output and does not support DMX or timecode. Listed platforms are Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.

SurfaBeam Pro combines surface mapping, media layering, and several projection connection options. The free tier cannot save, load, or export, and the app is limited to one projector output without DMX or timecode.

SurfaBeam Pro suits digital artists, creators, and event professionals who map visuals onto physical surfaces. The maker also names DJs, retail brands, and homeowners as use cases.

Overview

SurfaBeam Pro is a projection-mapping app for shaping visuals onto real-world surfaces from a phone, tablet, or PC. It best suits digital artists, DJs, and smaller event, retail, or home setups that need a single projector output. Its layered mapping tools and range of casting options make it a flexible fit for that scope, but the one-output ceiling rules it out for larger synchronized rigs.

Key features

Users can bend surface edges into curves and mask areas they want to keep dark. Each surface can carry its own media and mask, with transparent PNGs layered over video. That combination supports composed visuals across mapped areas; it is more useful for shaping a focused projection than for building a multi-projector installation.

The app imports photos, videos, and GIFs from a device gallery. Pro can record and render a show as MP4, which gives repeat users a way to retain finished output. Camera effects track a hand or body, while a music visualizer offers 12 modes for reactive visuals.

Projection connections include USB-C to HDMI, AirPlay, Chromecast, and the SurfaBeam Link receiver on Android TV or projectors. The maker says warping runs on-device, without cloud processing, and that the app collects no user data or accesses the camera, microphone, or location. Those privacy assurances sit alongside camera-tracking effects, a combination users who depend on tracking should weigh for themselves.

Pro saves a portable scene JSON file containing links to media, not the media itself. Users must transfer those files separately, and there is no cloud sync, so moving a project between devices takes extra file management.

Pricing

The permanent Free plan costs nothing and includes the mapping toolset, but projected and exported output carries a watermark, mapping has an entry gate, and Save, Load, and Export are unavailable. It is a way to explore mapping, not a workable plan for saving or delivering repeatable projects.

For Windows users, Personal (Windows direct installer) costs $3.99 a month, billed $3.99/month, and adds Save, Load, and Export. It is the lower-cost route for individual work that needs reusable projects and MP4 output. Commercial (Windows direct installer) costs $499 a year, billed $499/year, and adds a commercial license; it is the appropriate Windows option for commercial use.

Pro through the Apple App Store and Google Play is billed monthly, removes the watermark and entry gate, and unlocks Save, Load, and Export; its price is custom pricing. Pro through Steam DLC is a one-time purchase for Windows via Steam, sold as DLC for the free base app; its price is custom pricing. There is no free trial. Buyers should choose by platform and licensing need: the Windows direct installer has stated individual and commercial prices, while the mobile-store and Steam routes have different billing terms.

Platforms

SurfaBeam Pro supports Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Its documented projection and casting options are AirPlay, Chromecast, and SurfaBeam Link, alongside USB-C to HDMI. It uses one projector output, has no edge blending, and offers no DMX or timecode control. Live video input and 3D mapping are supported, but those capabilities do not remove the one-output limit.

Who it's for

SurfaBeam Pro is a sensible fit for digital artists, DJs, homeowners, and retail or event users who want to map a single projector and value per-surface media, masks, and multiple casting paths. The free tier can help newcomers explore the mapping toolset. Anyone who needs saved projects, exports, or clean output will need Pro; users planning multi-projector shows or workflows built around DMX or timecode should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Per-surface media and masks, curved-edge warping, and transparent PNG overlays give creators control over a layered single-output projection.
• Pros: USB-C to HDMI, AirPlay, Chromecast, and SurfaBeam Link offer several ways to connect to projection hardware.
• Pros: Live video input, 3D mapping, hand or body tracking effects, and a 12-mode music visualizer extend its creative options.
• Cons: The free tier's watermark, entry gate, and lack of Save, Load, or Export prevent it from serving as a complete project workflow.
• Cons: The single-output limit and lack of DMX, timecode, and edge blending make it a poor fit for more complex show-control or multi-projector setups.
• Cons: Scene files link to media rather than bundling it, and projects have no cloud sync, so transfers require separate media handling.

Alternatives

Projection Mapping Software is the category directory for comparing mapping tools. Consider Ghost Arcade if a free desktop app with all features included and no tiers, trial, watermark, or expiry better suits your needs. Choose Modulo Kinetic if its paid 2D Designer plan at €70, paid once fits; that entry plan is watermarked, 2D-only, and limited to one blinking output.

Christie Mystique offers a free Lite plan for one webcam, up to three Christie projectors, and flat screens only. Disguise Designer may suit people seeking a free Starter plan for learning, training, testing, and project development without connecting to Disguise servers. LightAct offers a free Creator plan with all features unlocked and unlimited outputs, though outputs are watermarked; consider it when output count matters more than clean output.

entity is another option for Windows users considering a free GPLv3 community edition with full media-server features. MadMapper has a free try plan with watermarked video input and output, periodic DMX blackout, and reduced space-scanner resolution. Screenberry offers a free non-commercial plan for personal, learning, evaluation, and non-paying use, with up to 2x 2K video output and a license that renews every 90 days and requires internet.

Verdict

Choose SurfaBeam Pro if you need to shape and layer visuals for one projector, want flexible projection connections, and can accept the extra file handling involved in moving projects. The permanent free tier is useful for exploring its mapping tools, while saved projects and export require Pro. Look elsewhere if your work depends on multiple outputs, edge blending, DMX, or timecode.