Tally-MA Alternative — Free, Works Over 5G and the Internet
Tally-MA is a hardware tally system at ~$45 per unit that communicates over a local WiFi network. Cue Light is free, works over the internet and 5G, and uses the phones your crew already carry.
Try Cue Light free →What Tally-MA is
Tally-MA is a compact hardware tally unit that connects to a WiFi network and receives tally signals from a compatible source — typically via a web interface or integration with Tally Arbiter. Each unit displays a colour via LED when triggered. At around $45 per unit it's one of the more affordable dedicated tally hardware options.
Like all WiFi-based hardware tally systems, it's constrained to the local network. A second shooter on cellular, a remote guest on Zoom, or a talent at a multi-site campus can't receive the signal.
Side by side
| Feature | Tally-MA | Cue Light |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per display | ~$45 hardware | Free (any phone) |
| Network requirement | Local WiFi only | Any internet — WiFi or 5G/LTE |
| Works over 5G / cellular | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Remote guests (Zoom/Teams) | ✗ No | ✓ Share a link |
| Switcher integration | Via Tally Arbiter or web API | Manual (director taps) |
| Setup time | WiFi config + pairing | 30 seconds |
| Display | Hardware LED | Phone screen (max brightness) |
| Multi-site | ✗ Site-locked | ✓ Global |
The 5G advantage
Tally-MA is often recommended for productions where you need tally over 5G or LTE — for example, field reporters or outdoor events where there's no local WiFi. The search query "tally light 5G" commonly surfaces Tally-MA results.
Cue Light is cloud-native, so it works over 5G, 4G LTE, or any internet connection by default. There's no special configuration needed — the display phone simply needs a data connection. This makes Cue Light a natural fit for:
- Outdoor events where venue WiFi doesn't reach all camera positions
- Field reporting and run-and-gun productions
- Wedding videography where the ceremony space may have poor WiFi
- Any production where crew members are on cellular rather than a shared network
Tally over 5G — free, no hardware
Works over any internet connection. Any phone as a display. 30 seconds setup.
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