Comparison

SurfaBeam vs MapKraft

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SurfaBeam

Transform any surface into a dynamic display with this intuitive mobile projection mapping tool. Easily map videos, animations, and images onto real-world objects without complex desktop software. Ideal for creators, artists, and event planners seeking powerful visual effects on the go.

Highlights
  • Intuitive mobile projection mapping
  • Map videos, images, and animations
  • Advanced shape library & multi-surface mapping
  • Export maps for professional content creation
  • Precision grid warping with gesture controls
  • Real-time rendering and video sync
  • Multi-media support
Read full description

TRANSFORM REALITY WITH SURFABEAM: THE ULTIMATE PROJECTION MAPPING TOOL Turn your projector into a magic wand. SurfaBeam is the most intuitive projection mapping tool designed specifically for mobile creators, digital artists, and event planners. Whether you are a professional VJ, a creative designer, or just hosting an unforgettable house party, SurfaBeam lets you map videos, animations, and images onto any real-world surface—instantly. Forget complex desktop software, expensive media servers, and heavy hardware. SurfaBeam puts the power of a professional video mapping studio right in your pocket. Connect your device to any digital projector and start warping reality in seconds. This is Projection Mapping made easy, accessible, and powerful. EASY CONNECTION No computer needed! Connect your phone or tablet to any projector using: Wired (Recommended): Use a USB-C to HDMI or Lightning Digital AV Adapter for zero lag. Wireless: Supports AirPlay, Screen Mirroring. WORKFLOW IN 3 STEPS Notice: Advanced features listed below are available via In-App Purchase (Subscription or One-Time). Connect: Link your device to the projector. Map: Drag the on-screen grid to match your physical object (wall, box, or decor). Play: Pick a video or image and watch it warp instantly! KEY FEATURES & CAPABILITIES Advanced Shape Library & Multi-Surface Mapping New in this version! Your creativity is no longer limited to squares. Use our new Multiple Shapes tool to map complex geometries, irregular sculptures, and detailed architectural elements simultaneously. Export Maps for Professional Content Creation Bridge the gap between mobile mapping and desktop editing. Export your mapped layouts directly from SurfaBeam. Use these exports as templates in video editing software (like Adobe After Effects) to design custom content that fits your specific mapping setup perfectly. Precision Grid Warping with New Gesture Controls We have completely overhauled our touch interaction workflow. Fit your visuals perfectly to any shape with our Rebuilt Gesture System. Whether it represents a flat wall or a cylinder, our advanced mesh allows for detailed Keystone Correction and Corner Pinning. Includes a new in-app tutorial for beginners! Real-Time Rendering & Video Sync See your adjustments live! There is no rendering time. As you move the grid points, the projection updates instantly. Features a new Video Synchronization Button to ensure your loops and visuals play back smoothly without stuttering—perfect for live VJ performances. Multi-Media Support Project high-resolution videos, photos, logos, or custom graphics directly from your device's gallery. SurfaBeam handles high-quality playback for crisp, stunning visual effects with transparency control and layering. PERFECT FOR EVERY USE CASE Live Events & VJing: Elevate your DJ set. Use SurfaBeam as a mobile VJ tool to create stunning stage visuals and music visualizers that sync with the vibe , also similar to lazy lighting app. Holiday Digital Decoration: Halloween: Project singing pumpkins, spooky ghosts, or portals onto your windows. Christmas: Map animated snow and festive lights onto your tree or walls without physical wiring. Art Installations & Exhibitions: Project dynamic textures and motion graphics onto sculptures. Create immersive Augmented Reality (AR) experiences visible to the naked eye. Business & Branding Displays: Make your brand pop! Project your logo onto unique surfaces at trade shows or corporate lobbies. A projection-mapped logo grabs far more attention than a TV screen. SurfaBeam is more than just an app; it is a creative revolution. Privacy Policy: https://www.surfabeam.com/privacy Terms Of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Quick Workflow Video: Watch here: https://youtube.com/shorts/NjB2owlqp-4?si=HZoRPMUXDV8W0w_p

About

MapKraft

Features
Read full description

Turn walls, boxes, furniture, or any flat or curved surface into a moving, glowing canvas. MapKraft is a projection mapping app built for creators who want professional results without professional pricing or a bulky laptop setup. Most mapping software is built for editing suites and studios. MapKraft is built for your phone. Point your projector, open the app, and start warping visuals onto real surfaces in minutes. WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH MAPKRAFT: Corner-pin mapping Drag the corners of your projection to match any surface, no matter the angle you're projecting from. Perfect for quick setups where your projector isn't perfectly centered. Mesh warp Curved surfaces, uneven walls, sculptures, and irregular objects stop being a problem. Adjust a full warp grid to bend your visuals exactly onto the shape in front of you. Edge blending Running more than one projector? Blend the overlapping edges so your final image looks like one continuous surface instead of two separate projections fighting each other. Multiple surfaces, one project Map several shapes within a single scene and keep everything organized without juggling separate files. Real-time preview See your changes as you make them. No render queue, no waiting, no guessing what it'll look like once it's live. Built for speed MapKraft is light, fast, and made to run smoothly without eating your battery or your patience. Open it, set it up, and get to the actual creative part. WHO IT'S FOR: Artists doing live visuals and VJ sets Event and wedding decorators adding a bit of spectacle Students and hobbyists experimenting with light and space Small studios and freelancers who don't want to pay for a full production suite just to map one wall Anyone curious about what projection mapping actually looks like once you try it yourself WHY MAPKRAFT: Projection mapping used to mean expensive desktop software, steep learning curves, and tools priced for studios with a budget. MapKraft strips that down. You get the core tools that actually matter, corner-pin, warp, and blend, in an app that fits in your pocket and doesn't ask you to sit through a tutorial series before your first project. We built MapKraft because we wanted to map a surface on a Tuesday afternoon without opening a $400 program first. If that sounds like you, this app was made for exactly that moment. GETTING STARTED: Open the app, connect or point your projector, pick a surface, and start dragging corners or adjusting the warp grid. Most first projects take less time to map than it took to read this description. Whether you're prepping visuals for a small gig, decorating a room for an event, working on a school project, or just want to see your favorite animation wrapped around a lampshade, MapKraft gets you there without the overhead. Download MapKraft and start mapping. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.mapkraft.in/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.mapkraft.in/privacypolicy

Screenshots

SurfaBeam4 screens
MapKraft3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: MapKraft at every 2 days against SurfaBeam's fortnightly. SurfaBeam's advantage is device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SurfaBeam sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and MapKraft sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SurfaBeam ships an update fortnightly, MapKraft every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SurfaBeam versus MapKraft: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurfaBeamMapKraft
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (18 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings18 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size520 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOsman Ahsan SheikhOmee Ganatra

In-app purchases

4 purchases

SurfaBeam

Subscriptions3
  • SurfaBeam Pro – Monthly$6.991 Month
  • SurfaBeam Pro – Quarterly$19.993 Months
  • SurfaBeam Pro – Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro Access$99.99
3 purchases

MapKraft

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlock$120.99

Questions

Is SurfaBeam free?
SurfaBeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MapKraft free?
MapKraft is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SurfaBeam or MapKraft have ads?
Neither SurfaBeam nor MapKraft shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SurfaBeam or MapKraft?
SurfaBeam ships an update fortnightly, and MapKraft every 2 days. Most recently, SurfaBeam was updated on October 16, 2026 and MapKraft on September 28, 2026.

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