Max/MSP Alternatives for Linux

Max/MSP is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Pure Data, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Max/MSP and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Max/MSP are VCV Rack, SuperCollider, OpenFrameworks and plugdata.

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Alternatives list

  1. Pure Data icon

    Pure Data

     40 likes

    Pd (aka Pure Data) is a real-time graphical programming environment for audio, video, and graphical processing. It is the third major branch of the family of patcher programming languages known as Max (Max/FTS, ISPW Max, Max/MSP, jMax, etc.

    46 Pure Data alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Pure Data screenshot 1
     
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    Comments about Pure Data as an Alternative to Max/MSP
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    The original one I used and it's open source.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    puikheid
    Positive
    0

    Pure Data is quite literally the MSP in Max/MSP. Without Pure Data Max/MSP wouldn't exist.

    It is the most commonly used alternative to Max/MSP and has many similar features. It's standard UI is more "classic", but due to its opensource nature there are a lot of custom builds and integrations using it.

    Max/MSP Icon
    Pure Data icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Pure Data is a great Max/MSP alternative.

    • Pure Data is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Max/MSP.

    • Pure Data is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Max/MSP.

    • Pure Data is Free and Open SourceMax/MSP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Pure Data is LightweightMax/MSP is not according to our users
  2. VCV Rack icon

    VCV Rack

     26 likes

    VCV Rack is a modular synthesizer inspired by Eurorack systems. It acts a host for virtual modules which perform various audio processes. E.G. oscillators, filters, envelope generators, sequencers and more that can be connected freely in almost limitless combinations.

    29 VCV Rack alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    VCV Rack screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about VCV Rack as an Alternative to Max/MSP
    puikheid
    Negative
    0

    Max/MSP is a programming language, VCV Rack is a virtual modular environment.

    While there are some similarities their use-cases are wildly different.

    Max/MSP Icon
    VCV Rack icon
    • VCV Rack is Free and Open SourceMax/MSP is Paid and Proprietary
  4. SuperCollider icon

    SuperCollider

     16 likes

    SuperCollider is a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition, used by musicians, artists, and researchers working with sound. It consists of:

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  5. OpenFrameworks icon

    OpenFrameworks

     26 likes

    openFrameworks is an open source C++ toolkit designed to assist the creative process by providing a simple and intuitive framework for experimentation. The toolkit is designed to work as a general purpose glue, and wraps together several commonly used libraries, including:

    17 OpenFrameworks alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    graphicsExample
     
  6. plugdata icon

    plugdata

     2 likes

    plugdata is a free/open-source visual programming environment based on pure-data. It is available for a wide range of operating systems, and can be used both as a standalone app, or as a VST3, LV2, CLAP or AU plugin.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    plugdata screenshot 1
     

    • plugdata is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Max/MSP.

    • plugdata is Free and Open SourceMax/MSP is Paid and Proprietary
  7. DISTRHO Cardinal icon

    DISTRHO Cardinal

     5 likes

    Cardinal is a free and open-source virtual modular synthesizer plugin based on VCV Rack but with a focus on being a fully self-contained plugin version. It's available as CLAP, LV2, VST2 and VST3 audio plugin for FreeBSD, Linux, macOS and...

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    DISTRHO Cardinal screenshot 1
     
  9. Tidal Cycles icon

    Tidal Cycles

     1 like

    A free/open source live coding environment for algorithmic patterns, written in Haskell. Tidal is using SuperCollider, another open-source software, for synthesis and MIDI.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Tidal Cycles screenshot 1
     
  10. HISE icon

    HISE

     6 likes

    HISE is a cross-platform open source audio application for building virtual instruments. It emphasizes on sampling, but includes some basic synthesis features for making hybrid instruments as well as audio effects.

    10 HISE alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    HISE screenshot 1
     
  11. Fugio icon

    Fugio

     8 likes

    Fugio is a free, open source, visual programming system for making digital art and creative projects using a wide range of technologies, for Windows, OS X, and Linux (including Raspberry Pi).

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Fugio screenshot 1
     
  12. ChucK icon

    ChucK

     6 likes

    ChucK is a programming language for real-time sound synthesis and music creation. ChucK presents a unique time-based, concurrent programming model that's precise and expressive (we call this strongly-timed), dynamic control rates, and the ability to add and modify code...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    miniAudicle is a part of ChucK bundle - it's an IDE.
     
  13. Overtone icon

    Overtone

     4 likes

    Overtone is an open source audio environment designed to explore new musical ideas from synthesis and sampling to instrument building, live-coding and collaborative jamming. We combine the powerful SuperCollider audio engine, with Clojure, a state of-the-art lisp, to create an...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  14. PraxisLIVE icon

    PraxisLIVE

     3 likes

    PraxisLIVE is an open-source, visual programming environment. Experiment with and create projects using a visual patching system coupled with the power of programming in Java, Processing and GLSL.

    35 PraxisLIVE alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    PraxisLIVE screenshot 1
     
12 of 23 Max/MSP alternatives