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Music · head to head

Mixcloud vs rekordbox

Mixcloud logo

Mixcloud

Music

The home of audio culture

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: Mixcloud the free Basic tier is limited to 10 show uploads and 10 track uploads; 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: Mixcloud covers DJ mixes, 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 Mixcloud and rekordbox actually diverge.

Attributes where Mixcloud and rekordbox differ
AttributeMixcloudrekordbox
Pricing modelfreemiumPer user per year
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidmacOS, 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 Mixcloud

  • DJ mixes
  • Podcasts
  • Radio shows
  • Streaming
  • Artist tools
  • Social media
  • Payment systems
  • Creator controls

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.

Mixcloud

  • Hosting DJ mixes and radio shows on a licensed platform that pays artist royaltiesnot rekordbox
  • Live streaming DJ sets without copyright takedownsnot rekordbox
  • Earning from listeners through tips and subscriptionsnot rekordbox

rekordbox

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

Where each one falls short

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

Mixcloud

  • The free Basic tier is limited to 10 show uploads and 10 track uploads
  • Unlimited uploads, private uploads, scheduling uploads, disabling comments and hiding play counts all require Pro
  • Live streaming video and audio requires Pro; the Basic tier cannot live stream
  • Monetization through Tips and Subscriptions is Pro only
  • Listener insights, tagging hosts and embedding a show player on your own site are Pro only
  • Basic audio uploads are capped at 64kbps AAC+, with 160kbps Opus HQ audio reserved for Pro
  • Free listening includes ads and offline listening requires the separate Premium for listeners subscription
  • The brand and radio station commercial packages start at $3,000 per month

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

Mixcloud

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic streaming access
  • Premium for Listeners$7.99/month
    • Unlimited replays
    • Offline listening and downloads
    • No ads
  • Pro for Creators$11.25/month
    • Unlimited show uploads
    • Live streaming without takedowns
    • High-quality audio enhancement

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 Mixcloud if

  • You need dj mixes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want podcasts.
Mixcloud 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 Mixcloud or rekordbox better?
Neither clearly leads. Mixcloud 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, Mixcloud or rekordbox?
Mixcloud starts at Free and rekordbox at Free.
Does Mixcloud or rekordbox run on more platforms?
Mixcloud runs on Web, Ios, Android. rekordbox runs on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use Mixcloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Mixcloud best used for?
Mixcloud is most often used for hosting dj mixes and radio shows on a licensed platform that pays artist royalties, live streaming dj sets without copyright takedowns, earning from listeners through tips and subscriptions. Of those, hosting dj mixes and radio shows on a licensed platform that pays artist royalties and live streaming dj sets without copyright takedowns are not what rekordbox is typically brought in for.
What can Mixcloud do that rekordbox cannot?
Mixcloud covers DJ mixes, Podcasts, Radio shows, Streaming. rekordbox covers Track analysis and preparation, Performance mode, Cloud Library Sync, RMX Effects.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mixcloud: What does Mixcloud Premium for Listeners include?

Mixcloud Premium for Listeners costs $7.99/month and includes unlimited replays, offline listening with downloads, ad-free streaming, and upfront tracklists showing all songs from the start.

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.

Mixcloud: How much is Mixcloud Pro for Creators?

Mixcloud Pro for Creators costs $11.25/month when paid annually and allows unlimited show uploads, live streaming without takedowns, high-quality audio, monetization features, and detailed analytics.

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.

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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