Compare ARC, Escape Room Master, and M3
Choosing escape room software means comparing how rooms operate, what hardware each system supports, where operational data lives, and how staff work during a game. This guide presents verifiable differences to help you decide what fits your business.
Last reviewed July 2026
ARC
Installed escape room control and automation that runs on your computer. Optional online services remain separate from the game engine.
Escape Room Master
Browser-based staff suite with media, displays, automation, and hardware integration. Loaded games can continue during an internet outage.
Mythric Mystery Master (M3)
Desktop-based escape room and show control with deep hardware support, scripting, and story logic.
Swipe or scroll the table to compare every platform
| Feature | ARC | Escape Room Master | Mythric M3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it runs | |||
| Live-game operation without internet | After the game is loaded | ||
| Platform | Installed ARC computer + browser clients | Mac / PC / Chromebook | Desktop app |
| Hardware & Protocols | |||
| Shelly device support | Not listed publicly | Not listed publicly | |
| Z-Wave / Zigbee | Native Z-Wave + Zigbee | Not listed publicly | Native Z-Wave; Zigbee not listed |
| MQTT support | Native | Not listed publicly | Native |
| Arduino / Raspberry Pi | Libraries + standard protocols | Supported | Supported |
| PLC / industrial (Modbus TCP) | Modbus TCP | Hardware products available | Native |
| DMX / pro lighting | DMX + QLC+ | Not listed publicly | Native |
| Node-RED | ARC's own published nodes | Not listed publicly | Not listed publicly |
| Philips Hue | Native | Supported | Native |
| Features & Automation | |||
| No-code automation builder | Native When / If / Do | Events → actions editor | Intelligent event system |
| Player-display customization | Drag-and-drop | Customizable live view | Custom HTML support |
| Text-to-speech | Built-in + ElevenLabs | Not listed publicly | Not listed publicly |
| Hint tools | Manual + automatic hints | Predefined text, audio, image, and video clues | Dynamic clue system |
| IP camera live view | Built in | Not listed as built in | Not listed publicly |
| Analytics & session history | Room statistics | Leaderboards | |
| Business | |||
| Unlimited rooms | Confirm current plan terms | ||
| Optional cloud add-on | Browser-based service | Not required for live operation | |
| Staff notifications | Slack + Discord | Not listed publicly | Not listed publicly |
| Published monthly price | $65 first location; $50 additional | $69 per location; annual and lifetime options | $75 monthly or $825 annual |
Comparison reviewed July 11, 2026 using each vendor's public website. “Not listed publicly” means we could not verify the capability in that vendor's published material—not that the product cannot do it. Offerings may change, so confirm current details with each vendor.
Compare the workflow before you switch
Review the operating model, hardware support, public pricing, and practical migration path for each platform.
Check the public sources
Competitor capabilities and prices can change. The comparison uses each company's official pages and distinguishes an unverified capability from a confirmed absence.
Ready to try ARC for yourself?
Download ARC and try it free, or ask us your questions on Discord.