Comparison
Companion Buddy Alternative — Free, No Hardware Required
Companion Buddy is $44 per unit and requires Bitfocus Companion running on a PC. Cue Light is free, works over the internet, and takes 30 seconds to set up on any phone.
Try Cue Light free →The cost difference
Companion Buddy
$44
Per unit. Plus Bitfocus Companion setup on a dedicated PC. Add a Stream Deck for full control.
Cue Light
$0
Free. Any phone as a display. Works over the internet. No hardware purchase required.
What Companion Buddy requires
Companion Buddy is a hardware tally device designed to work within the Bitfocus Companion ecosystem. To use it you need:
- A Companion Buddy unit ($44 each) for every display location
- Bitfocus Companion running on a dedicated PC or Mac on the same local network
- A compatible controller — typically a Stream Deck or X-Keys
- WiFi network access for every Companion Buddy unit
- Companion configuration: modules, connections, button layout
This is a powerful setup for productions already running Bitfocus Companion for broader show control. If you're using a Stream Deck to fire graphics, run cameras, and manage audio — Companion Buddy fits naturally into that workflow.
If you just need a tally light, it's significant overhead.
Side by side
| Feature | Companion Buddy | Cue Light |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per display | $44 hardware | Free (any phone) |
| Requires local server | ✗ Bitfocus Companion on PC | ✓ No server |
| Works over internet | ✗ LAN only | ✓ Cloud-native |
| Remote guests | ✗ No | ✓ Share a link |
| Setup time | 30–60 min | 30 seconds |
| Stream Deck integration | ✓ Native Companion | Via /tally/with-stream-deck |
| Display brightness | Hardware LED | Phone screen (max brightness) |
| Existing Companion users | ✓ Natural fit | Separate tool |
When Companion Buddy is the right choice
Use Companion Buddy if
Companion BuddyYou're already running Bitfocus Companion for show control and a Stream Deck is your primary controller.
Companion BuddyYou need dedicated hardware that doesn't depend on a phone battery.
Companion BuddyYour production is LAN-only and everyone is on the same WiFi network.
Use Cue Light if
Cue LightYou need tally today without buying hardware or configuring Bitfocus Companion.
Cue LightYou have remote guests on Zoom or Teams who need a tally signal.
Cue LightYour crew uses phones they already own — no per-unit hardware cost.
Cue LightProductions across multiple locations or venues where LAN isn't guaranteed.
No hardware purchase needed
Any phone is a tally display. Free, cloud-native, 30 seconds setup.
Start free — no signup