As a DJ, having access to a diverse range of music is crucial for crafting unique sets and keeping the dancefloor moving. With the rise of music streaming services, DJs now have more options than ever before when it comes to sourcing tracks for their sets.
In this article, we’ll compare and contrast three popular DJ-focused streaming services: Beatport, Beatsource, and SoundCloud Go. We’ll take a look at their pricing, features, and compatibility with various DJ software, so you can make an informed decision about which service is right for you.
Beatport
First up, we have Beatport. This veteran music streaming service offers three pricing plans: Essential, Advanced, and Professional.
The Essential plan is perfect for DJs who are just starting and looking to optimise their workflow. It offers full track playback, the Beatport DJ WebApp, and the ability to host Party Mode Sessions. However, it doesn’t offer any free downloads.
The Advanced plan, on the other hand, is designed for DJs on the rise who want to perform on a LINK-connected DJ platform. It offers all the features of the Essential plan, plus DJ platform integrations.
Finally, the Professional plan is the most expensive but offers the highest audio quality and the ability to play tracks offline. For DJs who prioritise audio quality and operate in the electronic music genres, Beatport is definitely worth considering.
Check out the table below for pricing.
Beatsource
Next up, we have Beatsource, a newer contender that’s quickly gaining popularity due partly to its “open format” music library. Beatsource offers two pricing plans: Beatsource and Beatsource Pro+.
The Beatsource plan is ideal for beginner DJs who want to explore the service’s vast music library. It offers seamless DJ integration, a Beatsource DJ web app, unlimited playlists, personalised library, and optimised audio streaming.
On the other hand, the Beatsource Pro+ plan is perfect for DJs seeking advanced features like exclusive DJ edits, instrumentals and acapellas, extended intro/outro, transition DJ tools, and radio-friendly versions. It also offers the ability to play tracks offline, making it an excellent option for DJs who frequently play gigs in areas with poor connectivity.
SoundCloud Go+
Last but not least, we have SoundCloud Go+, a popular music streaming service that’s been around for a while now. SoundCloud offers two pricing plans: SoundCloud Go and SoundCloud Go+.
The SoundCloud Go plan offers ad-free listening, unlimited offline listening, access to the full catalog, and high-quality audio.
The SoundCloud Go+ plan, on the other hand, offers all the features of SoundCloud Go, plus the ability to mix tracks within select DJ apps. This plan is ideal for DJs who want to discover new tracks and create custom mixes. SoundCloud’s vast library and user-friendly interface make it an excellent option for DJs of all levels.
DJ Music Streaming Service | Monthly Cost | Features |
Beatport Essential | $9.99 USD | Full track playback, Beatport DJ WebApp, Host Party Mode Sessions, Mobile App, Re-download purchased tracks, High-quality audio streaming |
Beatport Advanced | $14.99 USD | Full track playback, Beatport DJ WebApp, Host Party Mode Sessions, Mobile App, Re-download purchased tracks, High-quality audio streaming, DJ platform integrations |
Beatport Professional | $29.99 USD | Full track playback, Beatport DJ WebApp, Host Party Mode Sessions, Mobile App, Re-download purchased tracks, DJ platform integrations, Highest-quality audio streaming, Offline playback ability (1000 tracks storage) |
Beatsource | $9.99 USD | 7 Million+ Tracks, Seamless DJ Integration, Beatsource DJ web app, Unlimited playlists, Personalized library, Optimized audio streaming, No contract. Cancel anytime. Try 30 days free |
Beatsource Pro+ | $34.99 USD | 7 Million+ Tracks, Seamless DJ Integration, Beatsource DJ web app, Unlimited playlists, Personalized library, Advanced audio streaming, Exclusive DJ Edits, Instrumentals & Acapellas, Extended Intro/Outro, Transition DJ Tools, Radio-Friendly versions, Short Edits, Offline playback ability (1000 track storage), No contract. Cancel anytime. Try 30 days free |
SoundCloud Go | €5.99/month* | Ad-free listening, Save unlimited tracks for offline listening, Access full catalog, High-quality audio |
SoundCloud Go+ | €9.99/month** | Ad-free listening, Save unlimited tracks for offline listening, Access full catalog, Mix tracks within select DJ apps, High-quality audio |
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, choosing the right DJ music streaming service ultimately depends on your personal style and needs. Each of the services we’ve compared – Beatport, Beatsource, and SoundCloud Go – have their own unique offerings that cater to different types of DJs.
If you’re a beginner or looking to optimize your workflow, Beatport’s Essential plan may be the best choice for you with its affordable price and basic features. However, if you’re a rising DJ who wants to integrate with a LINK-connected DJ platform or needs better audio quality, the Advanced plan could be the way to go. And for DJs who want the highest quality audio and the ability to play offline, Beatport’s Professional plan could be the perfect fit.
Beatsource, on the other hand, is geared towards open-format DJs with its vast library of tracks and exclusive DJ edits, while SoundCloud Go offers a more diverse catalog of music.
In terms of software, each of these services has integrations with most of the popular DJ software such as rekordbox, Traktor, Serato, and Virtual DJ, but it’s worth checking our table below to make sure your preferred software is supported before committing to a subscription.
Streaming Service | Compatible DJ Software |
Beatport | Serato, rekordbox, Djay, Denon DJ, Hercules, Virtual DJ, WeDJ, Reloop, Numark, engine, Dex |
Beatsource | Serato DJ Pro, Serato DJ Lite, Pioneer DJ rekordbox, Algoriddim djay, Denon DJ Engine OS, VirtualDJ, Hercules DJUCED, PCDJ DEX3 |
Soundcloud Go | Pioneer DJ rekordbox*, VirtualDJ*, Serato DJ Pro and DJ Lite, Algoriddim djay and djay Pro, Native Instruments Traktor DJ 2, edjing Mix and edjing Pro, Denon DJ PRIME Series, Mixvibes Cross DJ, DEX3 |
*Note: Compatibility with rekordbox and VirtualDJ may vary depending on the specific version and settings.
Overall, the best DJ music streaming service for you will depend on your personal style, software preferences, and the specific features you need. Take some time to consider your options and choose the service that fits your needs and budget. Happy streaming and happy mixing!
If you enjoyed this post, go check out our blog on “the future of AI DJing” or “10 reasons why Loopmasters is the go-to software for DJs/producers”
FAQ’s
Q: What is Beatport?
A: Beatport is a music streaming service that specializes in electronic dance music (EDM), offering a range of tracks across various genres including techno, house, and trance.
Q: What DJ software is compatible with Beatport?
A: Beatport is compatible with a range of DJ software, including Serato, rekordbox, Djay, Denon DJ, Hercules, Virtual DJ, and WeDJ, as well as reloop, numark, engine, and dex.
Q: What pricing plans does Beatport offer?
A: Beatport offers three pricing plans: Essential, Advanced, and Professional, priced at $9.99, $14.99, and $29.99 per month, respectively. Each plan offers full track playback, the ability to host Party Mode sessions, a mobile app, high-quality audio streaming, and the ability to re-download purchased tracks.
Q: What is Beatsource?
A: Beatsource is a music streaming service that offers a range of tracks across various genres, with a focus on hip-hop, R&B, and Latin music. The service also offers a range of DJ-friendly features, such as DJ edits and transition tools.
Q: What DJ software is compatible with Beatsource?
A: Beatsource is compatible with a range of DJ software, including Serato DJ Pro and Lite, Pioneer DJ rekordbox, Algoriddim djay, Denon DJ Engine OS, VirtualDJ, Hercules DJUCED, and PCDJ DEX3.
Q: What pricing plans does Beatsource offer?
A: Beatsource offers two pricing plans: Beatsource and Beatsource Pro+, priced at $9.99 and $34.99 per month, respectively. Both plans offer unlimited playlists, a personalized library, optimized audio streaming, and the ability to use the Beatsource DJ web app. The Pro+ plan also includes advanced audio streaming, exclusive DJ edits, and the ability to store up to 1,000 tracks for offline playback.
Q: What is SoundCloud Go?
A: SoundCloud Go is a music streaming service that offers access to a vast library of tracks across various genres. The service also offers a range of DJ-friendly features, such as the ability to mix tracks within select DJ apps.
Q: What DJ software is compatible with SoundCloud Go?
A: SoundCloud Go is compatible with a range of DJ software, including Pioneer DJ rekordbox, VirtualDJ, Serato DJ Pro and DJ Lite, Algoriddim djay and djay Pro, Native Instruments Traktor DJ 2, edjing Mix and edjing Pro, Denon DJ PRIME Series, Mixvibes Cross DJ, and DEX3.
Q: What pricing plans does SoundCloud Go offer?
A: SoundCloud Go offers two pricing plans: SoundCloud Go and SoundCloud Go+, priced at €5.99/month and €9.99/month, respectively. Both plans offer ad-free listening, the ability to save unlimited tracks for offline listening, and access to the full SoundCloud catalog. The Go+ plan also includes the ability to mix tracks within select DJ apps, as well as higher quality audio streaming.