A factual, feature-by-feature comparison against the most common alternatives. We believe the specs speak for themselves.
The products most often evaluated alongside DMX Core 100 for permanent installations.
| Feature | DMX Core 100 | CueServer 3 | Enttec S-Play | CueCore3 | Pharos Expert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (from) | $399 (software) | $800+ | $1,200+ | $1,200+ | $2,000+ |
| Max Universes | 200 | 2–4 | 32 | 4 | Varies |
| Software-Only Option | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Touchscreen Hardware | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Web UI | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ArtNet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| sACN (E1.31) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| KiNet | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — |
| OSC | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| MQTT | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| REST API | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MIDI | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Q-SYS / Symetrix | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Stream Deck | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Cloud Remote Access | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Timeline Editor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in Effects | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Record & Playback | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Sync | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Multi-User / Roles | 24 permissions | — | — | — | ✓ |
DMX Core 100 is also available as desktop software — here's how it compares to software-only alternatives.
| Feature | DMX Core 100 | Lightkey | Luminair 4 | Sunlite Suite 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (from) | $399 | $99/yr | $5–$20/mo | $200–$1,500 |
| Max Universes | 200 | 16 | 4 | 16+ |
| Platforms | Win / Mac / Linux | Mac only | iPad / Mac | Win / Mac |
| Dedicated Hardware Option | ✓ | — | — | USB interface |
| Standalone (No PC) | ✓ (hardware) | — | — | Easy Stand Alone |
| Web UI | ✓ | — | — | — |
| MQTT / IoT | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Q-SYS / Symetrix | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Scheduling | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| Cloud Remote Access | ✓ | — | — | — |
| One-Time Purchase | ✓ | Subscription | Subscription | ✓ |
Most standalone controllers in this price range top out at 2–32 universes. DMX Core 100 software starts at $399 with support for up to 200.
The only product that offers identical software as a desktop app (Win/Mac/Linux) and on dedicated touchscreen hardware. No other competitor matches this flexibility.
OSC, MQTT, REST API, Q-SYS, Symetrix, MIDI, Stream Deck, Key Digital — plus cloud tunnel for remote access. Most competitors support only a subset.
Scheduling, input triggers across 6+ protocols, output events, and custom menus. Designed for installations that run themselves.
Explore the full feature set or get started with a software license today.