Relackout vs Lightkey

Lightkey is a native macOS lighting controller with editable fixture profiles, beat-driven effects and customizable live pages. It also controls Philips Hue lights and integrates with Ableton Live.

Feature comparison

Free edition with 24 DMX output channels. One-year licenses shown in EUR: €79 for 256 channels, €119 for 512, €199 for 1024, and €379 for 8192. Updates and support are included during the year; renewal requires another yearly license. A one-week full trial is available on request. [3] [4]

Feature	Relackout	Lightkey
DMX output & fixtures
Art-Net output	Supported Choose which universes are broadcast	Supported Art-Net output through OLA [2]
sACN (E1.31) output	Supported Built in	Supported sACN multicast output [2]
USB DMX interfaces	Supported ENTTEC Open DMX USB and compatibles, several at once, one universe each	Supported ENTTEC, DMXking and others; multiport interfaces supported [2]
Fixture library & custom fixtures	Supported Open Fixture Library import plus your own fixtures	Supported Built-in library and integrated fixture editor [2]
Smart Wi-Fi lights as fixtures	Coming soon Tuya smart lights	Supported Philips Hue bridge integration [1]
Programming
Scenes / looks	Supported Fade in/out per scene, layered playback	Supported Presets and cues with configurable fades [2]
Cue lists / chases	Supported Loop, one-shot and manual GO modes with per-step fade and delay	Supported Cuelists, timed sequences and manual advance [2]
Effects engine	Supported Effect wizard with beat-locked timing	Supported Editable intensity, color and movement effects [2]
Show timeline with audio	Supported Scenes and cues programmed on the song's waveform	Add-on required Live Triggers use the separate Ableton Live timeline [1] [2]
3D stage preview	Supported Live 3D stage view in a separate window	Partial 2D stage preview with simulated light beams [1] [2]
Show & production notes	Supported Multi-page notes per show	Unverified Multi-page production notes not verified
Audio & music
Music playback & playlists	Supported Music library, playlists and master audio in the same app	Unverified Built-in audio file playlists not verified
Sound-reactive lighting	Supported From the music playing or a mic/line-in, with presets	Unverified Direct microphone or line-input analysis not verified
BPM, tap tempo & MIDI clock	Supported Tap, presets, manual entry and MIDI clock	Supported Tap tempo, MIDI clock and Ableton Link [1]
Cues & fades follow live tempo	Supported BPM Mode scales cue timing and scene fades	Partial Beat-driven sequences; general cue-fade stretching not established [2]
Live control
Custom touch mixer designer	Supported Design your own faders and buttons	Supported Live Pages contain custom buttons and faders [2]
Phone/tablet remote	Supported Any browser on the local network, PIN protected, no app to install	Add-on required Third-party TouchOSC or tablet display app required [3]
MIDI control & feedback	Supported Learnable mappings plus LED feedback	Supported MIDI learn and configurable controller feedback [2]
OSC control	Supported Built-in OSC server	Supported OSC over UDP or TCP [2]
Guided first-show setup	Supported Step-by-step from patch to live	Supported Interactive output, patch and stage setup assistant [1]
Venues & workspaces
Separate setups per venue	Supported Workspaces: own patch, scenes, cues, mixers per venue	Partial Separate project files selected from startup screen [3]
Copy between setups	Supported Copy wizard with patch mapping	Partial Preset import/export; fixture-mapping workflow not verified [2]
Output settings per venue	Supported Art-Net, sACN, USB DMX, OSC, MIDI feedback and remote per workspace	Unverified Complete per-project output and remote settings not verified
Export & move a setup	Supported Single-file workspace export/import	Supported Project file includes fixture profiles and project data [3]
Platform & licensing
macOS	Supported Apple Silicon and Intel	Supported Native Apple Silicon and Intel support [1]
Windows	Supported Windows 10/11	Not supported Mac-only application [3]
Linux	Supported x64 and ARM64 (AppImage, .deb)	Not supported Mac-only application [3]
Monthly, yearly or lifetime licence	Supported All three, you choose	Partial Yearly licenses; no monthly or perpetual option [3] [4]
Full free trial	Supported 14 days, Standard features, real DMX output	Supported One-week full trial available by contacting the vendor [4]

Where Relackout leads

Choose monthly, yearly or lifetime licensing, with a 14-day free trial.
Program lighting against music directly in Show Timeline instead of requiring Ableton Live.
Use a phone or tablet through Relackout's browser Remote without a third-party control app.
Run the same lighting workflow on Windows and Linux as well as macOS.
Preview the rig in a built-in 3D stage view rather than a 2D stage layout.

Where Lightkey is strong

Native Mac integration and a large editable fixture library, including imports from several established lighting formats.
Philips Hue control and Ableton Live cue triggering are established parts of its workflow.

Which fits your show?

Club or bar

Both

Lightkey suits Mac-based live lighting and Hue installations; Relackout adds an integrated music timeline.

DJ set

Both

Lightkey integrates with Ableton and MIDI clock; Relackout combines music playback and lighting programming.

Theatre

Relackout

For a small theatre, Relackout combines lighting, audio timelines and a 3D stage view.

House of worship

Both

Both offer cue-based operation; Lightkey fits an existing Mac workflow, while Relackout also runs on Windows and Linux.

Events venue

Relackout

Relackout suits rotating venue setups and browser-based operator control.

Touring / large rig

Both

Neither should be assumed to replace a touring console; evaluate console integration and production requirements separately.

Switching guide

In Lightkey	In Relackout
Lightkey project and DMX output	Create a Workspace, then configure Patch & Fixture Setup.
Lightkey fixture profiles	Find matching fixtures in Fixture Library or import Open Fixture Library definitions.
Presets and sequences	Recreate looks in Scene Designer and timed sequences in Cue lists.
Live Pages and external controllers	Rebuild controls in Mixer Designer, then map MIDI or OSC in Live Control.
Beat control and Ableton Live Triggers	Use Effect Wizard and Sound-to-Light, or rebuild song programming in Show Timeline. Export audio separately for Music Library.
TouchOSC remote layout	Set up Remote (browser) and test the controls on your local network.

What carries over

Fixture models, DMX addresses, cue order, color choices and your original audio files provide a migration checklist.

What to rebuild

Relackout does not import Lightkey projects or its fixture-profile formats. Rebuild presets, live pages, mappings and timing; import fixture definitions only when available in Open Fixture Library format.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open a Lightkey project in Relackout?

No. Recreate its patch, looks, sequences and control pages. Relackout can import Open Fixture Library fixture definitions, not Lightkey show files.

Does Lightkey require a yearly payment?

Paid Lightkey licenses last one year and must be replaced to continue licensed output. Relackout offers monthly, yearly or lifetime licensing.

Is Lightkey's preview a full 3D stage visualizer?

Lightkey describes its stage layout as a 2D Preview with virtual light beams. Relackout provides a built-in 3D stage view.

Sources

Checked on September 25, 2026

Lightkey — Professional DMX lighting control Checked on September 25, 2026
Lightkey — Technical Specifications Checked on September 25, 2026
Lightkey — Help Center Checked on September 25, 2026
Lightkey Store — yearly licenses and trial Checked on September 25, 2026

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