Mixxx vs Steinberg MixKey

Mixxx is free DJ software for performing live mixes with digital music files on Linux, macOS and Windows. It is designed for both people starting with a laptop and experienced turntablists. Four decks provide scratchable scrolling waveforms and whole-song overview waveforms. Mixing controls include beat looping, Sync Lock, hotcues, beat rolls, censor and quantization. Mixxx supports FLAC, WAV, AIFF, MP3, M4A/AAC, Ogg Vorbis and Opus files. It works with MIDI and HID controllers, programmable JavaScript mappings and timecode vinyl control, and can load up to 64 sampler decks. Local music libraries from iTunes, Traktor, Banshee, Rekordbox, Rhythmbox and Serato can be read. Mixxx records mixes in WAV, FLAC and Ogg Vorbis, with MP3 optional, and streams through Shoutcast or Icecast servers. The full version costs nothing, with donations optional and no official paid or pro version. Its source code is published under the GNU GPL v2 or later. The application does not require an account or use telemetry. Beta and development snapshots are not intended for live use and may crash.

Steinberg MixKey is a free audio mixer for streamers and creators on Windows and macOS. Auto Gain adjusts levels automatically, while stream-level monitoring lets users hear the mix as the audience hears it. A cue function previews a channel in headphones before it reaches the fader or mix, and a built-in low-cut filter reduces unwanted low frequencies in speech. MixKey records the full mix as a WAV file and can send a separate microphone output to applications such as Discord or Zoom. Panic controls can mute the microphone or cut all output instantly. Elgato Stream Deck can trigger functions including microphone mute and panic controls. Users can rename channels, change colors and appearance, and resize the interface. Steinberg lists MixKey as a free download for Mac and Windows. The software supports live audio input and WAV export, with no paid plan listed.