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Mixcloud vs Serato DJ

Mixcloud logo

Mixcloud

Music

The home of audio culture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Serato DJ logo

Serato DJ

Music

DJ mixing software sold as Pro and Suite tiers, with a free Lite edition and hardware unlocking on supported controllers

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; Serato DJ whether the software is free depends on which specific controller model you own, so buying hardware without checking its unlock status can mean an unexpected licence fee.
  • They diverge on capability: Mixcloud covers DJ mixes, Serato DJ covers Beat matching and sync.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mixcloud and Serato DJ actually diverge.

Attributes where Mixcloud and Serato DJ differ
AttributeMixcloudSerato DJ
Pricing modelfreemiumPer user per month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidmacOS, Windows
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 Serato DJ

  • Beat matching and sync
  • DVS support
  • Serato FX
  • Hardware unlock
  • Serato Studio
  • Video mixing

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 Serato DJ
  • Live streaming DJ sets without copyright takedownsnot Serato DJ
  • Earning from listeners through tips and subscriptionsnot Serato DJ

Serato DJ

  • A mobile DJ who owns a Pioneer or Denon controller that ships with Serato Pro unlocked and pays nothing for the softwarenot Mixcloud
  • A club DJ who wants DVS vinyl control and buys into Suite rather than Pro plus a separate DVS add-onnot Mixcloud
  • A bedroom DJ using Serato DJ Lite for free before deciding whether to invest in hardware and a paid tiernot Mixcloud
  • A DJ who wants beat-making alongside performance software and picks Suite for the bundled Serato Studionot 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

Serato DJ

  • Whether the software is free depends on which specific controller model you own, so buying hardware without checking its unlock status can mean an unexpected licence fee.
  • DVS support, which many working DJs need, sits in the Suite tier rather than the base Pro tier, adding real cost for vinyl-style control.
  • Serato DJ Lite deliberately withholds features present in Pro, so a DJ testing on Lite cannot fully evaluate what the paid tiers offer.
  • The subscription and one-time purchase prices are not simply related; a DJ paying monthly for years can end up paying more than the outright purchase price without a clear point where switching makes sense.
  • Cross-brand hardware support depends on manufacturer licensing deals with Serato, so a DJ switching to an unsupported or newly released controller may lose the free unlock entirely.

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

Serato DJ

Free
  • Serato DJ LiteFree
    • Free, feature-reduced entry edition
    • Works with entry-level and some Pro-eligible controllers
  • Serato DJ Pro$11.99/month
    • Full mixing features
    • $299 one-time purchase alternative to the subscription
    • Free when connected to unlock-eligible hardware
  • Serato DJ Suite$14.99/month
    • Everything in Pro plus DVS, video mixing, Serato FX and Serato Studio
    • $499 one-time purchase alternative

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 Serato DJ if

  • You need beat matching and sync.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows.
  • You also want dvs support.
Serato DJ review

Questions people ask

Is Mixcloud or Serato DJ better?
Neither clearly leads. Mixcloud starts at Free and Serato DJ at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mixcloud or Serato DJ?
Mixcloud starts at Free and Serato DJ at Free.
Does Mixcloud or Serato DJ run on more platforms?
Mixcloud runs on Web, Ios, Android. Serato DJ runs on macOS, Windows.
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 Serato DJ is typically brought in for.
What can Mixcloud do that Serato DJ cannot?
Mixcloud covers DJ mixes, Podcasts, Radio shows, Streaming. Serato DJ covers Beat matching and sync, DVS support, Serato FX, Hardware unlock.

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
Serato DJ: Do I need to pay for Serato if I already own a DJ controller?

It depends on the model. Many mainstream controllers ship with Serato DJ Pro pre-unlocked; others require a separate Pro or Suite purchase or subscription.

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
Serato DJ: What is the difference between Lite and Pro?

Lite is free but feature-reduced; Pro adds the full mixing feature set and is either a $299 one-time purchase or an $11.99 monthly subscription.

Serato DJ: Does DVS vinyl control cost extra?

Yes, DVS is part of the Suite tier, not the base Pro tier, unless it comes bundled through specific hardware promotions.

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