Free DJ Software: Our Top Choices For New DJs To Mix Music In 2024

The best part about DJing is that it’s an accessible way to express yourself as an artist. Sure, to be the best of the best will take years of dedication and a TON of hard work. But if you want to DJ a college house party, mix all the latest music you’ve been producing in the studio, or experiment with blending sounds and tracks into a seamless hour of music, you can be up and running in just a few minutes.

Of course, tons of premium DJing software caters to the creme-de-la-creme talent; there’s also a wealth of resources that new and amateur DJs can use to start making mixes and practicing their skills. This list will focus on the latter, as I’ve condensed the best free DJing software you can access into this shortlist. I’ve also included a few bullet points on what makes this software stand out from the competition based on my experience. 

But before we dive into the list, let’s chat about a few broad-stroke points that new DJs should focus on before they’ve even busted open the software on this list. 

DJing Secrets To Elevate Your Skills Before You Even Hit Play 

Organize Your Music

The most fun you can have while DJing is losing yourself in the music and acting on instinct when deciding which track to play next. However, the most significant point of friction that can interrupt this flow is if you have to search high and low in a crowded library for the specific track you want. My early libraries as a DJ were cluttered and disorganized, and I missed many opportunities. 

Before you start spinning, organize your tracks into playlists or folders so that you can quickly navigate through your library. A little bit of prep work ahead of time can pay off when you’re playing live or mixing, even just in your home studio.

Many of the software in this list have different options to help you organize your music. For example, it can help you label the key of the track so that you can quickly find the next tune that harmonically matches the song you’re currently playing or label the different energy levels of the track so that you don’t slam a high-energy banger into an ambient chillout mix.  

There are many ways to organize your library, so take advantage of whichever ones fit into your workflow, and your fans and dancefloors will love you for it.

Picture The Whole Set

DJ sets are all about taking your listener on a journey and jumping from one track to another just because you think they are both bangers in their own right. It will be about as natural as trying to ride a unicycle over a pothole-riddled street in Portland.

Too niche of an analogy? I apologize, but I’m sure you will get the picture.  

Anticipate the energy and vibe of the set and be ready to think two or even three tracks ahead. Pack your playlists and libraries with tracks to help you bridge the energy levels and vibes gap. Having a diverse library of music will help you change directions and gradually bring the energy of the room or of the mix where you want it to go one step at a time so that, by the time your listeners arrive at the track or vibe, you want them to be at, they have no idea how they got here in the first place just because the journey was so fluid and natural. 

Know Your Tools

After using CDJs and professional club systems for years, you’re sure to know them all like the back of your hand, so that’s not exactly what I mean here. Research all the different FX and tools a DJ has to shape their sets and transitions. 

Knowing that you have tools like reverb, EQ, bitcrushers, delays, loopers, and more will help you understand what to look for when experimenting with different ways to construct a set. When I first started DJing, I made the mistake of learning only about the faders and EQs, moving on to other tools once I felt like I had mastered using the volume and EQs alone. But if I had done more homework up front, I would have had the tools to take more risks and learn all the faster. 

Which is the perfect segue to the final point…

Be Ready To Experiment And Not Look Cool

DJing is supposed to be fun, but all too many people get sucked up in the “cool” factor that plagues the modern industry, which saps their confidence and their willingness to take risks. I highly advise new DJs and those just about to download one of these free software for the first time to abandon any assumption of coolness and just be ready to see what happens when you try random things while DJing.

Try meshing genres, crazy FX sweeps, and bringing in different tracks at unconventional times. All of these things that most other people would deem too unconventional to try could easily be what sets your unique style apart from the rest. 

Dj.Studio

DJ.Studio has been crushing it lately, with new and exciting features available every week for DJs and content creators of all skill levels to take advantage of and find value in. Having DJ’d for the better part of seven years but always considering myself a producer first and foremost, I’m constantly looking for ways to perform, deliver, and share the music that I make with the world. 

This on its own can be daunting, and learning how to DJ at the highest level takes about as much time to master as producing does. It also requires great ears to beatmatch, considerable patience, especially when curating mixes for radio or live performances, and a fair amount of money to purchase all the tracks to play alongside my productions. But DJ.Studio makes this all super simple, and you can take advantage of its best features entirely for free (at least for the initial trial period and sometimes that’s all you need). 

• AI-Powered Mixing: Leveraging artificial intelligence, DJ Studio revolutionizes the mixing process by automating key aspects. It adeptly analyzes tracks to align BPM, key, and energy levels, facilitating the creation of mixes that resonate with professionalism and dynamism.
• Intuitive Design: DJ Studio’s interface is a godsend for those less acquainted with the intricacies of DJing. It offers a visual breakdown of track blending, demystifying how transitions are managed and how to adjust volumes and EQ settings seamlessly.
• Customizable Creativity: Despite AI-heavy features, the software ensures DJs retain full creative control. It empowers you to fine-tune transitions, manipulate beats, and incorporate effects, imbuing your mixes with a signature flair.
• Flexible Exporting: Content with your mix? DJ Studio handles a spectrum of export needs. Whether you’re aiming for compatibility with other digital audio workstations for additional refinement or seeking a ready-to-play file, the software delivers.

For those new to DJing, imagine a toolkit that navigates you through the mixing maze and educates you on the nuances of track compatibility and transition fluidity.

MixVibes CrossDJ Free

I’ve found Cross DJ by Mixvibes pleasantly surprising, if anything, just because of how cost-effective, straightforward, and user-friendly it is, making it a dope choice for those new to DJing. With its dual decks and horizontal waveforms, the setup harks back to my initial days of getting to grips with Serato Scratch Live. These waveforms provide a visual cue for music, aiding in beat matching and track synchronization – which is invaluable for beginners easing into the DJing scene. 

The simplified settings menu underscores Cross DJ’s focus on ease of use, offering clear-cut options that help newcomers understand audio and MIDI settings without confusion. Cross DJ quickly makes this list through its uncomplicated approach to DJing, emphasizing features that enrich the DJ experience through some of my favorite features listed below.

• Streamlined Settings: It makes audio and MIDI setup straightforward, welcoming to those new to the world of DJ software.
• Efficient Cue Points and Loop Controls: It supports up to six cue points per track, alongside loop controls and foundational effects, equipping users with vital performance tools without overcomplication.
• Intelligent Playlists and Browser Functions: Its smart playlists and simplified music library navigation reflect features I’ve longed to see in other DJ software, boosting efficiency in music management.
• Autoplay and Sync Capabilities: While imperfect, the sync and match function offers a semblance of beat matching, making the learning journey smoother for novices.

With its accessible interface and core functionalities, Cross DJ lays solid groundwork for anyone embarking on their DJ journey. It balances simplicity and capability, providing a doorway to digital DJing minus the daunting learning curve often associated with more intricate platforms.

Learn More Here! 

Beatport DJ

Beatport DJ, a browser-based DJ tool, has significantly shifted my workflow on digital DJing since I stumbled on it a few years back. This platform, free from traditional DJ software installation constraints, leverages Beatport Link to tap into a vast music library accessible directly through any browser on Windows, Mac, or iPad. This integration makes it super easy to test out new music and see how potential tracks may mesh alongside other tracks in your library.

Its hallmark feature is its ability to operate entirely online while still offering support for MIDI controllers and sound cards, marking a notable advancement in making DJing more accessible to a broader audience. Beatport DJ elegantly merges music discovery with playlist management, enabling DJs to curate and refine their sets with all the features of standard DJ software yet within a far more intuitive and streamlined interface.

Beatport DJ is more than a mere music-playing tool; it facilitates a deeper engagement with music. Here’s what sets Beatport DJ apart:

• Wide-Ranging Compatibility: Its seamless operation across various platforms and devices broadens accessibility.
• Music Discovery and Management: It simplifies music exploration and organization by integrating the vast Beatport Link library.
• Comprehensive DJing Tools Online: Delivers all essential DJ features, including cue points, effects, loops, and beat jumps, all within a browser’s convenience.
• Cutting-Edge Auto Mix Function: An outstanding feature for track previews and mix creation, offering a fresh approach to engaging with music discovery.

Learn More Here

Rekordbox (Free plan)

Diving into Rekordbox, Pioneer DJ’s premier software, I’ve uncovered a killer platform that elevates DJ performance across various hardware but thrives when using beginner-friendly decks and controllers. 

It brings cutting-edge features like lyric visualization and advanced lighting controls, allowing DJs to align visual displays with their mixes flawlessly. The software stands out from the sea of competitors with its versatile music management, detailed analysis capabilities, and robust performance features. Offering the ability to fine-tune beat grids for tracks with fluctuating tempos and craft immersive audio-visual shows, Rekordbox serves an array of DJ needs, from home setups to club scenes.

• In-depth Music Analysis: Rekordbox delves deeper than basic BPM and key detection, providing dynamic beat grid adjustment and vocal detection to elevate mixing precision and expand creative avenues.
• Enhanced Live Performance Tools: Equipped with functionalities like Sampler, Sequence Call, and Active Sensor, DJs gain many tools to augment live sets, simplifying sample triggering, sequence management, and track censoring on the fly.
• Sophisticated Music Management: The software’s intelligent playlists and My Tag system enhance track organization, enabling DJs to categorize music and find tracks based on specific attributes accurately.
• Comprehensive Visual Integration: With features supporting video, lyric displays, and lighting coordination, Rekordbox empowers DJs to orchestrate the auditory and visual components of their performances, crafting an all-encompassing experience for audiences.

Learn More Here! 

UltraMixer

With its recent advancements, including a new video engine and compatibility with modern DJ controllers like the Reloop Beat Pad 2 and various Pioneer models, UltraMixer emphasizes features beneficial for DJs who balance mixing with other entertainment responsibilities. It’s easy to use, so you have the headspace and attention to manage different tasks like MCing, hosting a karaoke night, or running a round of trivia.  

Its strength in video mixing, alongside karaoke and microphone support, positions it as a tool designed for DJs who manage the entirety of an event’s audio-visual experience. Despite its outdated interface, UltraMixer compensates with robust functionality, such as dual playlist windows for auto-mixing and seamless integration with external inputs and outputs, enhancing performance versatility.

UltraMixer’s distinct features include:

• Dual Playlist and Auto-Mix Capabilities: Unique to UltraMixer, these features allow DJs to prepare and auto-play tracks from two separate playlists, ideal for continuous music without active mixing.
• Video and Karaoke Support: A strong video engine supports video mixing and karaoke, accommodating entertainment formats beyond traditional DJing. It also offers added functionalities like text and image overlays for personalized event branding.
• Comprehensive Input and Output Control: The software provides detailed control over inputs (e.g., microphones) and outputs, including a 31-band EQ for master output, enabling DJs to tailor sound output to various venues.
• Sampler and Notepad for Mobile DJs: UltraMixer offers a sampler containing a range of sound effects and a built-in notepad for tracking requests and event details, catering to mobile DJs’ organizational and performance needs.

Its commitment to supporting modern hardware while maintaining a rich set of audio and video mixing features makes it a noteworthy consideration for DJs looking for a multifaceted performance tool.

Learn More Here! 

Algoriddim DJay

DJay by Algoriddim is a versatile app that shines on iOS. In contrast, the iPad Pro version offers a slew of features, such as Spotify integration, allowing DJs access to Spotify’s entire library for mixing on the fly. This option is premier for those looking to spin tracks seamlessly at a Friday night house party or something else casual like that. 

The software’s classic mode offers two virtual turntables, waveform views, EQ, auto loops, cue points, and a range of effects, even in its free version. Particularly notable is its auto mix feature, a boon for DJs needing a quick break or those who dabble in event DJing. It seamlessly blends tracks from one to the next, with options for transition control in the paid version.

Algoriddim’s subscription model unlocks advanced features such as two-deck and four-deck view modes, video mixing capabilities, and additional effects, catering to novice users and seasoned professionals. Highlights of the pro subscription include:

• Versatile Mixing Options: The two-deck mode offers a clean, professional interface focusing on library management, which is ideal when using external DJ hardware.
• Looper and Sampler: Access to a vast array of samples and the ability to play up to eight quantized audio and video loops enhances live performance creativity.
• Video DJing: On iOS and macOS, DJay Pro allows video mixing with visualizers, picture overlays, text, and logo insertions, expanding the DJ’s toolbox for engaging visual performances.
• Cross-Platform Availability: Although its strongest features are available on iOS and macOS, DJay offers basic to advanced functionality across Windows and Android devices, although with some limitations, such as the absence of video mixing on Windows.

DJay by Algoriddim, particularly on iOS and macOS, is a powerful, flexible DJ software that adeptly meets the needs of today’s DJs, from music mixing to video and sample integration, making it a worthwhile tool in a DJ’s digital arsenal.

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Serato DJ Lite

Serato DJ Lite paves a solid route for novices eager to explore DJing. This software will probably be your best friend when you’re just starting out mixing records. From the moment you connect your controller and craft your inaugural mix, it will aim to give you the essential skills and insights. 

Serato DJ Lite shines as a beginner-friendly interface that eases the learning journey for budding DJs. Here’s why it’s an invaluable resource for starters:

• User-Friendly and Adaptable: Serato DJ Lite invites beginners to embark on their DJ journey with a straightforward controller, providing a gentle introduction to the craft of effortlessly mixing tracks.
• Core DJing Principles: This guide walks you through the essentials, from managing digital crates that mirror the vinyl collections of yore to mastering beat matching—a vital skill for seamless track transitions.
• Motivation for Continuous Growth: Emphasizing the evolution from novice to adept DJ, the guide urges ongoing practice and discovery. It underlines that mastering DJing is a journey of trial, error, and learning.
• Guidance and Additional Learning Resources: Ample support and resources are available for those aiming to fast-track their growth. These are crafted to polish your technique, offering bespoke advice to navigate hurdles and elevate your DJ prowess.

Learn More Here!