OpenKJ vs Performous

OpenKJ is open-source karaoke hosting software for karaoke DJs, built and tested for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It integrates with OpenKJ Songbook, which supports web-based song search and submissions. Singers can use Songbook apps for iOS and Android to browse or search a songbook, submit songs with requested key changes, and save favorites. The web submission site can also serve as a venue kiosk, and sign-up requests are sent directly to the host computer. Songbook can optionally display download-vendor catalogs; the project says these are updated daily. OpenKJ SongShop supports purchasing and downloading karaoke files on the fly, with PartyTyme listed as the only available vendor. OpenKJ Tools provides utilities for ReplayGain adjustment, archive handling, zip compatibility, and filename capitalization. Those tools are marked experimental, and the project recommends backing up the library before using them. OpenKJ is free; Songbook starts at $9.99 per month and has a one-month free trial.

Performous is free software combining karaoke, band games, and dancing on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its modes include vocals, lead, rhythm and bass guitar, drums, and dancing, with multiplayer support. Scored singing shows pitch so players can adjust their performance; karaoke mode displays lyrics without notes or scoring. The project says pitch detection works with laptop or webcam microphones. Controllers are autodetected, and the game can use a keyboard, microphones, USB guitars and drums, and dance pads. Supported song formats include Frets on Fire, UltraStar, SingStar XML, and StepMania. Composer edits and converts notes for music games, offering pitch analysis, zoomable timing, note synthesis, and format import and export. Composer lists SingStar XML, UltraStar TXT, and Frets on Fire MIDI formats. Free karaoke song packages are available under different libre and restricted license terms. The site says its free-song page does not yet include band-game or dancing songs. Performous is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 or later, with documentation, Discord, and a GitHub feedback page.