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Amazon Music vs rekordbox

Amazon Music logo

Amazon Music

Music

Unlimited music for every moment

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
rekordbox logo

rekordbox

Music

Pioneer DJ’s library management and performance software, sold on annual subscription tiers gated by connected hardware

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Music amazon Music Unlimited is required for on-demand access to the 100 million song catalogue, ad-free podcasts and Audible audiobooks; rekordbox functional access depends jointly on subscription tier and connected hardware, so the same plan can behave differently depending on which Pioneer controller or mixer is attached.
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Music covers Music streaming, rekordbox covers Track analysis and preparation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Music and rekordbox actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Music and rekordbox differ
AttributeAmazon Musicrekordbox
Pricing modelfreemiumPer user per year
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, EchomacOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Founded2007Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Music).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Music

  • Music streaming
  • HD audio
  • Podcasts
  • Alexa integration
  • Echo devices
  • Fire TV
  • Alexa
  • Amazon account security

Only in rekordbox

  • Track analysis and preparation
  • Performance mode
  • Cloud Library Sync
  • RMX Effects
  • Lyric and video sync
  • Device backup and Collection Auto Upload

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Music

  • On-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakersnot rekordbox
  • Listening to podcasts and Audible audiobooks in one appnot rekordbox
  • Offline playback for subscribersnot rekordbox

rekordbox

  • A club DJ preparing USB drives with beatgridded, cue-mapped libraries for Pioneer CDJ boothsnot Amazon Music
  • A touring DJ who wants Cloud Library Sync on the Creative plan to keep multiple devices in stepnot Amazon Music
  • A professional needing automated device backup and picking the Professional plan specifically for that featurenot Amazon Music
  • A hobbyist using the free tier for basic library organisation before committing to a paid plannot Amazon Music

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Music

  • Amazon Music Unlimited is required for on-demand access to the 100 million song catalogue, ad-free podcasts and Audible audiobooks
  • Unlimited skips require the Amazon Music Unlimited subscription
  • Subscriptions bought through iTunes renew automatically each month unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • The account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of each membership period
  • The iOS app requires iOS 16.0 or later

rekordbox

  • Functional access depends jointly on subscription tier and connected hardware, so the same plan can behave differently depending on which Pioneer controller or mixer is attached.
  • It is a recurring annual cost rather than a one-time purchase, unlike Traktor Pro, so the lifetime cost keeps climbing for as long as a DJ keeps performing.
  • Higher plans are needed mainly for cloud sync and backup rather than core mixing capability, which can feel like paying extra for convenience features rather than musical functionality.
  • It is most useful within the Pioneer DJ hardware ecosystem; DJs on other brands of controller gain comparatively little from rekordbox over Serato or Traktor.
  • The device activation limits per plan (3, 4 or 8 devices) mean a DJ running rekordbox on a laptop, phone and backup laptop can hit the ceiling on lower tiers.

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Music

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited selection
    • Ads
  • Unlimited$9.99/month
    • Full catalog
    • HD audio

rekordbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic library management and track preparation
    • Limited Performance mode features
  • Core$120/year
    • Full Performance mode with eligible hardware
    • Up to 3 activated devices
  • Creative$180/year
    • Cloud Library Sync, RMX Effects, video and lyric sync
    • Up to 4 activated devices
  • Professional$360/year
    • Device library backup and Collection Auto Upload
    • Up to 8 activated devices

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Music if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo.
  • You also want hd audio.
Amazon Music review

Choose rekordbox if

  • You need track analysis and preparation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want performance mode.
rekordbox review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Music or rekordbox better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Music starts at Free and rekordbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Music or rekordbox?
Amazon Music starts at Free and rekordbox at Free.
Does Amazon Music or rekordbox run on more platforms?
Amazon Music runs on Web, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo. rekordbox runs on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use Amazon Music for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Amazon Music best used for?
Amazon Music is most often used for on-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakers, listening to podcasts and audible audiobooks in one app, offline playback for subscribers. Of those, on-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakers and listening to podcasts and audible audiobooks in one app are not what rekordbox is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Music do that rekordbox cannot?
Amazon Music covers Music streaming, HD audio, Podcasts, Alexa integration. rekordbox covers Track analysis and preparation, Performance mode, Cloud Library Sync, RMX Effects.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Amazon Music: What are the pricing options for Amazon Music?

The main Amazon Music page does not display pricing information. Users must visit additional pages on Amazon's website or the app store to see subscription costs.

Source
rekordbox: Is rekordbox free to use?

A free tier exists for basic library management, but full Performance mode mixing generally requires a paid plan and eligible hardware.

Amazon Music: Is there a free tier or trial period?

The page does not disclose whether a free trial, free tier, or evaluation period is available for Amazon Music. Pricing and trial details would need to be found on related pages.

Source
rekordbox: What is the real difference between Core and Creative?

Creative adds Cloud Library Sync, RMX Effects and video and lyric sync on top of everything in Core, for $60 a year more.

Amazon Music: Can I cancel my Amazon Music subscription anytime?

The page does not specify cancellation policies or contract terms for Amazon Music subscriptions.

Source
rekordbox: Do I need Pioneer hardware to use rekordbox for mixing?

Performance mode is built around Pioneer DJ hardware; without eligible hardware, functionality is largely limited to library preparation and export.

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