ShaderTool AlternativesCode Editors and other similar apps like ShaderTool

ShaderTool is described as 'Provides a flexible and editable node-powered pipeline that allows you to write shaders without also having to have written an engine. Use the integrated code editor to directly write shader code in either HLSL (DirectX) or GLSL (OpenGL)' and is a Code Editor in the development category. There are more than 10 alternatives to ShaderTool for a variety of platforms, including Web-based, Windows, Linux, iPhone and Self-Hosted apps. The best ShaderTool alternative is Bitspace, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like ShaderTool are Alma.sh, SHADERed, The Book of Shaders and Shadertoy.

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ShaderTool alternatives are mainly Code Editors but may also be IDEs. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of ShaderTool.
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ShaderTool provides a flexible and editable node-powered pipeline that allows you to write shaders without also having to have written an engine. Use the integrated code editor to directly write shader code in either HLSL...

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ShaderTool alternatives page was last updated Feb 1, 2024
  1. Bitspace icon
     4 likes

    Bitspace is a platform which offers a wide canvas & building blocks for your creative endevours. Build experiments & ideas with Artificial Intelligence, WebGL Shaders, Color manipulations, Animations or whatever floats your boat.

    21 Bitspace alternatives
    Bitspace screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Online

    Bitspace Features

    1.  Visual Programming
    2.  GLSL
    Bitspace iconShaderTool Icon

    Bitspace VS ShaderTool

    Is Bitspace a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
    • Bitspace is the most popular Web-based alternative to ShaderTool.

    • Bitspace is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to ShaderTool.

    • Bitspace is Free and Open SourceShaderTool is Paid and Proprietary
  2. Alma.sh icon
     3 likes

    An interactive playground for generative graphics. Combine nodes & logic into WebGL shaders - all through an intuitive no-code interface.

    21 Alma.sh alternatives
    Alma.sh screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Online

    Alma.sh Features

    1.  No Coding Required
    2.  React
    3.  Visual Programming
    4.  WebGL
    5.  GLSL
    Alma.sh iconShaderTool Icon

    Alma.sh VS ShaderTool

    Is Alma.sh a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
  3. SHADERed icon
     5 likes

    SHADERed is a lightweight tool for creating and testing HLSL and GLSL shaders. It is easy to use, open source and frequently updated with new features.

    23 SHADERed alternatives
    SHADERed screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux

    SHADERed Features

    1.  Geometry shaders
    2.  Import Images
    3.  Import 3D models
    4.  Visualize Music
    5.  GLSL
    SHADERed iconShaderTool Icon

    SHADERed VS ShaderTool

    Is SHADERed a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
    • SHADERed is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to ShaderTool.

    • SHADERed is Free and Open SourceShaderTool is Paid and Proprietary
  4. The Book of Shaders icon
     3 likes

    The Book of Shaders provides a gentle, step-by-step guide through the abstract and complex universe of Fragment Shaders. Besides scores of insightful illustrations, the site includes a very intuitive live-coding editor for users to easily see changes as they code.

    25 The Book of Shaders alternatives
    The Book of Shaders screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online

    The Book of Shaders Features

    1.  GLSL
    The Book of Shaders iconShaderTool Icon

    The Book of Shaders VS ShaderTool

    Is The Book of Shaders a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
  5. Shadertoy icon
     10 likes

    Shadertoy is the first application to allow developers all over the globe to push pixels from code to screen using WebGL since 2009.

    23 Shadertoy alternatives
    A shader.

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Platforms

    • Online

    Shadertoy Features

    1.  WebGL
    2.  Live coding
    3.  Content Discovery
    4.  Shader programming
    5.  Comment section
    Shadertoy iconShaderTool Icon

    Shadertoy VS ShaderTool

    Is Shadertoy a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
  6. Shader Editor icon
     5 likes

    Create and edit GLSL shaders on your Android phone or tablet and use them as live wallpaper. A live-coding editor with syntax-highlighting lets you see results transparently in the background as you code and provides ample workspace to focus on your ideas.

    22 Shader Editor alternatives
    Shader Editor screenshot 1
    Shader Editor screenshot 2

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid

    Shader Editor Features

    1.  Live Wallpapers
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Live coding
    4.  GLSL
    Shader Editor iconShaderTool Icon

    Shader Editor VS ShaderTool

    Is Shader Editor a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
    • Shader Editor is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to ShaderTool.

    • Shader Editor is Free and Open SourceShaderTool is Paid and Proprietary
  7. Shade - Pro Shader Editor icon
     2 likes

    Shade transforms your device into a professional node-based shader editor. Build stunning, connected shader graphs that render in real time. You'll find full support for keyboard shortcuts, drag-and-drop, and documentation built right in.

    22 Shade - Pro Shader Editor alternatives
    Shade - Pro Shader Editor screenshot 1
    Shade - Pro Shader Editor screenshot 2
    +7
    Shade - Pro Shader Editor screenshot 3

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad

    Shade - Pro Shader Editor Features

    1.  Modular connections
    2.  GLSL
    Shade - Pro Shader Editor iconShaderTool Icon

    Shade - Pro Shader Editor VS ShaderTool

    Is this a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
    • Shade - Pro Shader Editor is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to ShaderTool.

    • Shade - Pro Shader Editor is Freemium and ProprietaryShaderTool is Paid and Proprietary
  8. Shdr icon
     5 likes

    Shdr is a live ESSL (GLSL) shader editor, viewer and validator powered by WebGL and built by Thibaut Despoulain (BKcore).

    25 Shdr alternatives
    Shdr screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Google Chrome

    Shdr Features

    1.  WebGL
    2.  GLSL
    Shdr iconShaderTool Icon

    Shdr VS ShaderTool

    Is Shdr a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
  9. The Force icon
     1 like

    The Force is a web-based IDE/code editor for WebGL complete with audio input control, OSC support, texture panel and more.

    24 The Force alternatives
    The Force screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted

    The Force Features

    1.  WebGL
    The Force iconShaderTool Icon

    The Force VS ShaderTool

    Is The Force a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
    • The Force is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to ShaderTool.

    • The Force is Free and Open SourceShaderTool is Paid and Proprietary
  10. KodeLife icon
     2 likes

    KodeLife is a fast, lightweight, live-coding IDE for shader development. It's available natively across Mac, Windows and Linux desktops and supports all flavors of OpenGL GLSL, as well as platform specific shading languages such as the Metal Shading Language and DirectX HLSL.

    19 KodeLife alternatives
    KodeLife screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online

    KodeLife Features

    1.  Shader programming
    2.  Apple Metal support
    3.  GLSL
    KodeLife iconShaderTool Icon

    KodeLife VS ShaderTool

    Is KodeLife a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
  11. GLSL Sandbox icon
     2 likes

    An online GSGL Shader Gallery and live development tool. You can freely add to it without an account.

    23 GLSL Sandbox alternatives
    GLSL Sandbox screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Online

    GLSL Sandbox Features

    1.  WebGL
    GLSL Sandbox iconShaderTool Icon

    GLSL Sandbox VS ShaderTool

    Is GLSL Sandbox a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
  12. ShaderLab icon
     5 likes

    ShaderLab is the WebGL2 GLSL Editor for the browser. Code your shaders right in your browser with a live view to progress in the background. Then share and garner feedback through comments and check out other creators.

    25 ShaderLab alternatives
    ShaderLab screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online

    ShaderLab Features

    1.  Automatic JIT compilation on code change
    2.  WebGL
    3.  Toggleable visibility for comments view
    4.  External audio inputs
    5.  Resolution selector
    ShaderLab iconShaderTool Icon

    ShaderLab VS ShaderTool

    Is ShaderLab a good alternative to ShaderTool?
     
12 of 23 ShaderTool alternatives