Are you looking for a way to make your house parties the talk of the neighborhood? Or maybe you want to earn some extra cash spinning tracks at a few events? Either way, you probably want to bring your A-game with the best digital DJ software to make those music enthusiasts drool.
We’ve done some research on the most popular DJ software and found two competitors for you to consider. Rekordbox DJ and Serato DJ are currently the best pieces of software available for you today. Here are a few amazing features that both choices have in common:
- Cloud library sync
- Intuitive interfaces
- Extensive music libraries with thousands of tracks
- Professional plans, as well as free trials for you to test them out
- Music management software
It’s no wonder Rekordbox and Serato are dominating the race in digital DJing; both are perfect for professional clubs and everyday events. To help you make your choice, we will have a look at Serato DJ and Rekordbox DJ separately with a list of advantages and disadvantages for the user. By the end of this article, you should have a better idea of which choice of software will suit you best.
Serato DJ, the Good and Bad
This New Zealand-based software has become a global industry leader in the DJ world and is used by artists like A-trak, DJ Marky, and JFB. There is a reason they’ve been in the game for so long. Created by the same software engineers that gave you Scratch Studio Edition, they have a name for keeping up with the trends and giving you the best your money can give you.
Serato DJ offers three main packages:
- Serato DJ Lite
- Serato DJ Pro
- Serato DJ Suite
Besides these three options, you also have access to expansion packs or the Club Kit.
If you’re a beginner, then we suggest using Serato DJ Lite. This package is advertised as the best software for learning and has an intuitive interface for ease of use. With Serato DJ Lite, you get basic performance features including:
- Cloud library connections
- Beatport streaming
- Beatsource streaming
- Choice of hardware
Keep in mind that Serato DJ Lite is a free version and there are some limitations. Also, while Serato DJ Lite is free, that’s an entirely different thing from having a free trial. Serato offers a 14-day free trial of their Serato DJ Suite package for you to try as well. However, if you’ve tried this option and are ready to join the big boys then we recommend having a look at Serato’s paid versions. The standard option – DJ Pro – offers an amazing list of features that you can look at closely on their website.
The Disadvantages of Serato
Your main disadvantages lay with Serato DJ Lite. After all, this is only a watered-down version of their software. A few of the limitations this software has are:
- Only 4 hot cues per track, and you can’t use audio loops smaller unless it’s within one to eight bars. This means you can’t perform any loop rolls.
- Limited custom audio samples. In fact, you are only able to create four custom audio samples with DJ Lite.
- Serato DJ Lite has entry-level controllers that are created with this software in mind and few are able to use the upgraded version. This means you’ll need to look at a whole new set of controllers if you upgrade to Serato DJ Pro or Serato DJ Suite. There are, however, a few controllers made for both Serato DJ Lite and the upgraded Serato versions. However, these features can only be unlocked using the upgraded software.
From our research, the disadvantages of Serato’s paid versions are some technical difficulties that fall under the category of buggy-type issues, something that all technology gives us from time to time.
Rekordbox DJ, a Better Option?
So, how has digital DJing evolved since the days spinning records actually meant spinning records?
Pioneer hardware began Rekordbox much later in the game than Serato, but don’t let this be a deal breaker. They can give you a couple of tips on how they made their technology benefit DJs everywhere. Rekordbox DJ’s software technology is well known for gracing both the club scene and different festivals, the most notable being Coachella. Where a certain DJ – DJ Virgil Abloh – actually sported some custom gear in 2019.
Rekordbox DJ software offers you a range of software editions, including but not limited to:
- Professional Plan
- Creative Plan
- Core Plan
- Free Plan
Similar to Serato DJ, we recommend starting off with the free plan before you spend a chunk of cash. Always make sure the software is suitable to your requirements to avoid being disappointed. Rekordbox DJ’s free plan offers the user:
- An Export Mode
- A Performance Mode
Their performance mode is connected to the device you use and unlocks with hardware unlock. How does this work? Using certain Pioneer DJ hardware, you will be able to unlock software options from higher plans.
The Disadvantages of Rekordbox
While similar to Serato DJ, Rekordbox’s popular software also has its limits. Through our research, we found one of the main disadvantages users speak of with Rekordbox’s software is its many updates. Although, is it really a disadvantage when your software is keeping up with the trends? We’ll leave that up to you to decide.
Here is a short list of other disadvantages users have faced:
- Rekordbox only uses Pioneer DJ hardware
- They are not compatible with Serato set-ups
- There is no one-time fee for their plans
Rekordbox Vs Serato: Summary
When competitors go head to head the way Serato and Rekordbox do, it leaves little choice afforded to the user besides actually trying out the software. At the end of the day, how you feel using each software will make a bigger impact than whether it’s an industry leader or an upcoming star. We recommend trying the free version or free trial of whichever you decide on before paying for the professional gear. Details on plans can be found on the respective sites of each.