Bitwig Studio vs Serato Studio
Bitwig Studio
bitwig.comSerato Studio
serato.comSide by side
| Figure | Bitwig Studio | Serato Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $9.99/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 4 |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 8.8 (#10) | 8.5 (#20) |
| Founded | 2009 | 1999 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Intended users | Bitwig describes its audience as musicians, sound designers, composers, film scorers, and artists from various fields. | Serato describes Studio as beat-making software with a DJ-friendly workflow for producers and users making DJ edits. |
| Support | Bitwig provides a contact form for technical software problems and says submitted information is used to answer inquiries and provide technical support. | Serato lists 24/7 support with the subscription plan, and its Studio support section offers help requests and product guides. |
Plans
Bitwig Studio
- Essentials$99, paid once
- Producer$199, paid once
- Bitwig Studio Essentials$99, paid once
- Bitwig Studio Producer$199, paid once
- Bitwig Studio$399, paid once
Serato Studio
- FreeFree
- Buy$149 a month
- Subscribe$9.99 a month
- Buy$149, paid once
In their own words
Bitwig Studio
Bitwig Studio is a digital audio workstation for recording, arranging, improvising, performing, sound design, and building instruments. Its timeline Arranger supports linear workflows, while the Clip Launcher supports non-linear creation and performance. Audio tools include recording, comping, editing, and time stretching, with available algorithms varying by edition. The Grid provides modular tools for building instruments and audio or note effects; Bitwig Studio includes 43 modulators. Listed editions support unlimited VST and CLAP plugins, side-chain support, bridging, delay compensation, and crash protection. The software can sequence, sync, and control connected gear using MIDI, CC, CV, Gate, analog and MIDI Clock, and MIDI Timecode. It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, with operating-system, RAM, display, and disk requirements specified. Essentials is listed at 99.00 EUR once and Producer at 199.00 EUR once. A 30-day trial is available after signing up and downloading.
Serato Studio
Serato Studio is beat-making software for creating beats and custom DJ edits, with a workflow aimed at producers and DJ users. Its Sample Deck can sync samples to project BPM and key, chop them, separate stems, and apply time stretching, key shifting, reverse and effects. Real-time stem separation can split tracks into acapella, melody, bassline and drum parts. Studio includes a step sequencer and more than 190 instruments, including bass, keys, synths, pads, percussion, guitars and orchestral sounds. It supports VST3 and Audio Unit plugins, MIDI hardware mapping, Serato DJ crates and FX plugins. Users can export tracks, mixes, loops or individual drum pads as separate audio files. Studio runs on macOS and Windows and requires a Serato.com account. Free mode is limited to one audio track, four decks and four scenes, with automation disabled. The Subscribe plan costs $9.99/mo; the separate Buy plan is listed at $149 a month.