Synesthesia Live is a beautiful generative visual tool popular with musicians and VJs. But if you're a streamer or DJ who wants live visuals without a $199 licence or a desktop install, Vortexia delivers real-time audio-reactive visuals free in your browser — with zero setup.
Synesthesia vs Vortexia — The Key Differences
Price to start: Synesthesia has a free trial with no time limit that watermarks its output, and one-time licences of $199 (Standard) and $399 (Pro). Vortexia is free ($0) to start. Synesthesia is a desktop download; Vortexia runs in a web browser. Synesthesia sends video to OBS over Syphon or Spout on every plan, and NDI on Pro; Vortexia is a native Browser Source URL. Both are audio reactive, and both offer a one-time option: every Synesthesia licence is perpetual, and Vortexia has a $149 lifetime deal. Synesthesia is best for musicians and live performers. Vortexia is best for streamers and DJs.
Why Streamers Choose Vortexia
- No software to install — it runs in a web browser
- Paste one URL into OBS Browser Source and you're live
- 13 built-in presets across eight engines: fractals, sacred geometry, synthwave, lo-fi, and two raymarched 3D engines
- Free tier available with no time limit
- Upgrade to Plus ($49.99/yr) for 1080p 60fps and no watermark
- Prefer no subscriptions? The $149 lifetime deal runs until 31 December 2026
OBS Setup in 60 Seconds
- Open OBS Studio and navigate to your scene
- Click the + button under Sources and select "Browser Source"
- Sign in at vortexia.live, open the dashboard and choose a visual
- Turn audio on and pick what it listens to: Microphone, or Music / system
- Copy your OBS link from the dashboard and paste it into the Browser Source URL field
- Set width to 1920 and height to 1080
- Keep the dashboard tab open while you stream (minimised is fine) — it does the listening