Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Vvvv VS PatternPad

Compare Vvvv VS PatternPad and see what are their differences

Vvvv logo Vvvv

vvvv is a graphical programming environment for easy prototyping and development.

PatternPad logo PatternPad

Create beautiful geometric patterns
  • Vvvv Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-24
  • PatternPad Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-28

Vvvv features and specs

  • Visual Programming
    vvvv is a graphical programming environment. It allows users to create applications by simply dragging and connecting nodes, making it intuitive for designers and artists without extensive coding experience.
  • Real-time Processing
    vvvv excels in real-time audio-visual processing, making it ideal for projects that require live interaction, such as multimedia installations, live performances, and interactive applications.
  • Community and Resources
    vvvv boasts a strong and active community, with a wealth of tutorials, forums, and user-contributed patches. This support network can help users troubleshoot and discover creative solutions.
  • Versatility
    It supports a wide range of applications, from 3D graphics and video processing to physical computing and IoT applications. This versatility makes it suitable for a diverse array of projects.
  • Free for Non-Commercial Use
    vvvv offers a free version for non-commercial use, which is great for students, hobbyists, and those looking to experiment without financial commitment.

Possible disadvantages of Vvvv

  • Learning Curve
    Despite being a visual programming tool, vvvv has a steep learning curve. Users still need to understand programming concepts and the specifics of the environment, which can be challenging for beginners.
  • Windows Only
    vvvv is currently only available for Windows. This exclusivity can be a significant limitation for Mac and Linux users who either need to use a virtual machine or dual-boot setup to access the software.
  • Commercial License Cost
    While the non-commercial version is free, the commercial license of vvvv can be quite expensive. This could be a barrier for small businesses and independent developers.
  • Limited Mainstream Adoption
    vvvv is not as widely adopted or recognized as some other creative coding environments (like Processing or TouchDesigner). This can lead to difficulties in finding specific resources or job opportunities that require vvvv skills.
  • Performance Overheads
    As with many visual programming environments, vvvv can have performance overheads compared to traditional programming languages, which may impact the efficiency and execution speed of complex projects.

PatternPad features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    PatternPad offers an intuitive interface that simplifies the design process, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
  • Customizable Templates
    The platform provides a variety of customizable templates, allowing users to create unique designs tailored to their specific needs.
  • Collaboration Features
    PatternPad supports collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on a project simultaneously, which is beneficial for team projects.
  • Cloud-Based Access
    Being cloud-based, PatternPad allows users to access their work from anywhere, facilitating seamless workflow and flexibility.

Possible disadvantages of PatternPad

  • Subscription Cost
    PatternPad operates on a subscription model, which may be costly for some users, especially when compared to one-time purchase alternatives.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, some users may still require time to fully understand and utilize all the features effectively.
  • Internet Dependency
    As a cloud-based service, PatternPad requires a stable internet connection, which can be a disadvantage in areas with unreliable connectivity.
  • Feature Limitations
    Some advanced features might be lacking compared to more specialized or professional design software, which can be a limitation for power users.

Analysis of Vvvv

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Vvvv is considered good for specific use cases. It excels in scenarios where real-time visual feedback and rapid prototyping are essential. Its community-driven development and extensive library of nodes and plugins make it a potent tool for artists, designers, and developers seeking to explore interactive and digital art.

Why this product is good

  • Vvvv is a hybrid visual/textual live-programming environment designed for creative coding and prototyping. It is particularly well-suited for real-time audio-visual projects, installations, and performances. The platform supports a wide range of uses due to its flexibility and powerful node-based programming interface, which allows users to create complex multimedia applications without deep prior programming knowledge.

Recommended for

  • Artists working on interactive installations
  • Designers and developers interested in creative coding
  • Digital art and multimedia enthusiasts
  • Anyone creating real-time audio-visual performances
  • Educators teaching visual programming and digital media

Vvvv videos

Classic Game Room - VVVVVV review

More videos:

  • Review - VVVVVV for Nintendo Switch Review

PatternPad videos

No PatternPad videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Vvvv and PatternPad)
3D
100 100%
0% 0
Design Tools
0 0%
100% 100
VJ
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Vvvv should be more popular than PatternPad. It has been mentiond 13 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Vvvv mentions (13)

  • Vvvvvv Source Code
    Every time this is brought up, I think of https://vvvv.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 21 days ago
  • Vvvvvv Source Code
    At first I thought it would be some kind of successor to https://vvvv.org/, which I hadn't looked at in years. The game looks fun, might give it a spin. - Source: Hacker News / 21 days ago
  • 12-factor Agents: Patterns of reliable LLM applications
    Is very attractive here. Of course, some questions in my case would be quite abstract, but anyway. Also, multistage pipelines are also very interesting. [1]: loose set of bulletpoints brainstorming the idea if curious, not organised: https://kfs.mkj.lt/#audiovisllm (click to expand description) [2]: https://vvvv.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • VVVV – A hybrid visual/textual development environment for .NET
    Seems to be an iteration of https://vvvv.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • IntelligentPad (1989) a component-based drag-and-drop software creator
    Never heard of it but this vaguely reminds me of labview (still widely used in factory infrastructure and R&D) another similar environment that 20 years ago I thought would become the new desktop/programming metaphor is vvvv[0] [0] https://vvvv.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
View more

PatternPad mentions (3)

  • 11 Must-Know Websites Every Developer Should Bookmark
    Design beautiful custom patterns effortlessly with PatternPad. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Top 10 SVG Pattern Generators
    PatternPad: It generates graphical patterns based on a variety of parameters. This results in an endless number of variations. You can choose from popular styles or create your own individual pattern. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • A starter pack for aspiring coders
    That's an SVG pattern in a CSS background-image property, the exact line of code is here. If memory serves me correctly, I used this site to generate the pattern: https://patternpad.com/. Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Vvvv and PatternPad, you can also consider the following products

TouchDesigner - TouchDesigner is a visual development platform that equips you with the tools you need to create stunning realtime projects and rich user experiences.

Patterninja - Create patterns online

Processing - C++ and Java programming at the speed of thought.

Pattern Monster - Pattern Monster is a pattern maker app to create vector patterns for your projects

Pure Data - Pd (aka Pure Data) is a real-time graphical programming environment for audio, video, and graphical...

MagicPattern - The best design toolbox with 10+ tools for anyone