Comparison of remote music performance software


When playing music remotely, musicians must reduce or eliminate the issue of audio latency in order to play in time together. While standard web conferencing software is designed to facilitate remote audio and video communication, it has too much latency for live musical performance. Connection-oriented Internet protocols subject audio signals to delays and other interference which presents a problem for keeping latency low enough for musicians to play together remotely.
Software created specifically to minimise or eliminate some of the issues with Internet-related audio latency enables musicians to perform live music together over domestic broadband connections. The use of various compression and other techniques, together with affordable low-latency audio interface hardware, has reached a state in which it is practical for even large numbers of musicians to play or sing together without experiencing significant problems.
The following table compares key features of software written for the expressed purpose of allowing musicians to perform music together over the Internet. It does not attempt to cover subjective features such as sound quality or ease of use. However, some software on the list may address different aspects of remote collaboration better than others, or may be more suited to certain musical genres.
NameLicenceChargeArchitecturePlatformsSession type #Table Heading Notes| Max. participantsSynch. #Table Heading Notes| VideoCodecSample rateBitrateFirst releaseCurrent releaseDate
KoordGPLFreemiumClient/ServerWin, Mac, Linux, iOS, AndroidClosedUp to 75-YesOpus48 kHz132-894 kbit/s20211.4.472023-01-28
Jamstud.ioProprietaryFreeP2PWin, Mac, LinuxOpen & Closed6-YesUncompressed44.1 kHz16-bitApril 20211.242021-11-9
SubliveProprietaryFree/donationwareP2PWin, MacOpen & Closed5Audio trackYesOpus48 kHz32-384 kbit/sMay 20210.422021-09-21
GroovesetterProprietaryFree plan or Free TrialP2PWin, MacClosed8 LocationsMixedNoUncompressedFrom 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bitMay 20211.2.132021-08-08
Jam ConnectProprietaryFreemiumP2PWin, Mac, iOS, AndroidOpen & ClosedUp to 16 locationsTracks possibleYesOpus & Uncompressed48 kHzAt least 16-bit20212.52021-10-01
JamulusGPLFreeClient/ServerWin, Mac, Linux, AndroidOpen & Closed100+-NoOpus48 kHz132-894 kbit/s20063.11.02024-09-21
JammerNetzAGPL and MIT availableFreeClient/ServerWin, Mac, LinuxClosed?-NoUncompressed48 kHzdep. on # channels20192.0.02021-03-21
Digital StageProprietaryFree, restrictedVariousWin, Mac, LinuxClosed30Prototype testing
SagoraGPLFreeClient/ServerWin, Mac, Linux, RaspbianOpen & Closed-Opus48 kHzMay 20201.12020-08
LoLaProprietaryFree/sharewareP2PWinClosed3 locations-Yesat least 1 Gbit/s20052.0.0b12019-10-18
JamKazamProprietary$0 - $19.99p/mP2P, C/SWin, MacOpen & ClosedUnlimited MetronomeYes 48 kHz; 44.1 kHz2014 1.0.3950?
SoundJackProprietaryFreeP2P, C/SWin, Mac, LinuxOpen & Closed~60-β Opus & Uncompressed48 kHz2006monthly updates2022-03-26
JackTripMIT likeFreeP2P, C/SCLI: Win, Mac, Linux?Unlimited-No2000 1.3.02020-08-04
SonoBusGPLFreeP2P via AoOWin, Mac, Linux, iOS, AndroidOpen & Closed10-NoOpus & Uncompressed48 kHz & 44.1 kHz2020-08-311.5.12022-03-30
HPS JamBSDFreeClient/ServerWin, Mac, Linux, iOS, AndroidOpen & Closed256-No8/16/24/32-bit PCM and MIDI48 kHz2020-11-19v1.2.52022-10-12
Ninjam / NinbotGPL $60Client/ServerWin, Mac, Linux??Delayed SyncNo?REAPER 6.18?
JamtabaGPLFreeNinjam ClientWin, Mac, Linux??Delayed SyncYes2015-09-26v2.1.152020-06-30
Jammr.netGPLFree - $9.99p/mClient/ServerWin, Mac, LinuxOpen & Closed20Delayed SyncNo?1.2.922020-09-13
EndlessProprietaryFree - $4.49?iOSOpen & Closed?MetronomeNo?1.1.22020-11-13
Ejamming AudioProprietary$9.95p/mP2PWin, MacClosed4?No???
Rehearsal Live ShareProprietary$14.99p/m Client/ServerWin, Mac, iOS, AndroidClosed30Audio trackYes??????
SolocontuttiProprietaryFreeP2PWin, Mac, iOS, AndroidOpen & Closed12MetronomeYes Opusup to 48 kHz100 - 500 kbit/s20131.6.22021-11-20
FarPlayProprietaryFreemiumP2PWin, Mac, LinuxClosedAbout 8YesUncompressed48 kHz768 kbit/s per audio channel2021-11-181.2.72024-05-08
Elk LiveOS is open source$15.99p/m + $399 bridgeP2PElk Audio OSClosed5 for nowYes
Ringing RoomProprietaryFreeClient/ServerWin, Mac, iOSOpen16NoNo21.51
LutefishProprietary$400 hardware
$13p/m or $20p/m		5/50Yes48 kHzSummer 20242024-02-13
ovboxGPLFreeP2P/CSLinux, MacClosedUnlimited / up to 10 on Raspberry Pi 4BMetronomeYes Uncompressedup to 192 kHz20200.21.12024-02-19