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Rekordbox or Serato: which should a beginner use?

Both are excellent, both are widely used and both will teach you to mix. The right choice mostly depends on your controller and where you want to play.

The short answer: Both Rekordbox and Serato are good choices for beginners. Rekordbox is made by the company behind Pioneer DJ equipment and prepares USB sticks for club CDJs. Serato is popular with hip hop and scratch DJs and works with many controllers. Choose the one that works with your controller, then stick with it.

What they have in common

Rekordbox and Serato do the same core job. Both let you:

  • Organise your music into playlists and crates.
  • See the BPM and key of each track.
  • Set cue points and loops.
  • Mix two or more tracks with EQ, effects and a crossfader.
  • Record your mixes.

The basic skills you learn in one transfer to the other. Beatmatching and phrasing don't change because the screen looks different.

Where Rekordbox stands out

  • Club preparation. Rekordbox is made by AlphaTheta, the company behind Pioneer DJ. It can export your playlists to a USB stick that you plug straight into Pioneer CDJs, which are found in many clubs.
  • One library for home and club. You can practise on a controller at home and take the same prepared music out to gigs.
  • Works with Pioneer DJ controllers, including the DDJ-FLX4 that our courses use.

Where Serato stands out

  • A clean, simple screen. Many people find Serato easy to read at a glance.
  • Strong in hip hop and scratch DJing. Serato has a long history with turntablists and works with timecode vinyl.
  • Wide hardware support. Lots of controllers from different makers are built to work with it.

Side by side

RekordboxSerato
Made byAlphaTheta (Pioneer DJ)Serato
Best known forClub and CDJ preparationHip hop, scratch and controller DJing
Good for beginners?YesYes
Free version availableYes, with paid plans for extra featuresYes, with a paid version for extra features

Features and plans change over time, so check each maker's website for what's included today.

What about other programs?

There are other good DJ programs, and some DJs use them happily. Rekordbox and Serato are simply the most widely used, which means more tutorials, more compatible hardware and more people who can help you when you get stuck. For a beginner, that support is worth a lot.

How to choose

  1. Check your controller. Many controllers are designed for one program. That usually settles it.
  2. Think about where you'll play. If you want to play clubs with Pioneer CDJs, Rekordbox makes preparing your music simple.
  3. Try both if you can. Both have free versions, so you can see which layout you prefer.
  4. Then stick with one. Switching back and forth slows you down while you're learning.
Why we teach on Rekordbox Our mentors teach on Rekordbox because it links home practice with club equipment, so students can take a prepared USB to a gig. If you already use Serato, your mentor can still help with the skills, because they're the same.

Getting started

Software is only a tool. What makes a good DJ is knowing how to use it. Our Starter course sets up Rekordbox with you in the first session and builds from there. If you already mix a little, have a look at the Selector course.

FAQs

Related questions

Is Rekordbox free?

Rekordbox has a free version that covers the basics of mixing and preparing music. Paid plans add extra features. Check the Rekordbox website for what's currently included.

Can I switch from Serato to Rekordbox later?

Yes. The mixing skills are the same, and Rekordbox can import music from other libraries. Expect a short period of getting used to the new layout.

Which software do clubs use?

Many clubs have Pioneer CDJs, which play USB sticks prepared in Rekordbox. Some DJs bring their own laptop and controller running Serato instead.

Keep reading

More guides

Ready to start?

Our courses

Beginners

Starter

For complete beginners who have never touched a set of decks. Learn the kit, beatmatching and your first clean mixes.

  • Setting up the kit and finding your way around Rekordbox
  • Organising your music and setting cue points
  • BPM and beatmatching by ear
£999or £100 + 3 monthly payments
See the Starter course → Intermediate

Selector

For people who can already mix and want to sound like a DJ: phrasing, keys, track selection and full sets.

  • Longer, smoother blends and phrasing across whole tracks
  • Musical keys and harmonic mixing
  • Choosing tracks and building a crate for different crowds
£999or £100 + 3 monthly payments
See the Selector course → Advanced

Headliner

For confident DJs who want to perform: creative technique, reading a crowd and getting booked.

  • Advanced and creative transitions
  • Reading a crowd and changing direction mid-set
  • Switching genres and tempos smoothly
£999or £100 + 3 monthly payments
See the Headliner course → Ages 10 to 17

Juniors

Our courses for young people aged 10 to 17, at Starter, Selector or Headliner level, with an Enhanced DBS-checked mentor.

  • The same skills as our adult courses, pitched for their age
  • Beatmatching, phrasing and clean mixes
  • Choosing their own music and building a set
£999or £100 + 3 monthly payments
See the Juniors course →
Enquire

Get dates and your nearest mentor

Tell us who's learning and where you are. One of our team will come back to you, usually the same working day, with course dates and the mentor nearest you. No obligation.

  • £999 a course, or £100 deposit then 3 monthly payments of £300
  • 8 one-to-one sessions with a working DJ, at home or online
  • Every course ends with a live graduation set

Rather talk? Call 020 3441 8853, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

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