Elgato Wave Link vs Serato DJ Pro

Elgato Wave Link is a free audio routing and effects app for streamers, podcasters, professionals, and other content creators. It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer. A horizontal routing matrix lets users direct audio sources to outputs, with up to five independent mixes and separate routing and volume levels. Users can group multiple applications, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify, or Chrome, into one channel. The app supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input. Mixes can feed OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input. Its Stream Deck plugin can change volume, mute channels, toggle effects, and switch mixes. The Wave Link 3.0 plan lists up to eight software or non-Wave inputs, four Wave-device inputs, and five virtual mixes. Windows requires Windows 11 and 8 GB RAM; macOS requires version 15.0 or newer and 8 GB RAM.

Serato DJ Pro is desktop software for mixing music and performing with supported DJ hardware on macOS and Windows. It can play up to four tracks at once when connected to hardware that supports four-deck playback, and deck waveforms can be viewed horizontally or vertically. Serato Stems separates vocals, melody, bass, or drums for making acapellas, instrumentals, transitions, and mashups. The product includes access to more than 50 built-in effects and officially supports over 100 pieces of DJ hardware. Listed streaming services are Apple Music, Beatport, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Tidal. Practice Mode provides a basic version without connected hardware. Set recording is unavailable when playing from a streaming service, in laptop Practice Mode, or with hardware without a recording function. A Digital Vinyl System setup requires a Serato DJ Suite license or subscription. Serato DJ Pro costs $11.99 a month; DJ Suite costs $14.99 a month and includes DJ Pro, DVS, Video, and other listed additions. Eligible new users with hardware requiring a paid upgrade can try DJ Pro and all Expansions free for 14 days, without card details.