Best Tau Alternatives in 2026
The top Tau alternatives are VirtualDJ, Traktor Pro 4 and Mixxx: 15 DJ software our editors would look at instead of Tau, in our ranking order.
Tau: A feature-rich DJ system for web access, cloud metadata and advanced performance setups. Where it falls short: the browser version has limited features.
Switching from Tau? For most dj software buyers the best Tau alternative is VirtualDJ, built for all-around DJs needing maximum flexibility.
Why People Look for a Tau Alternative
- The browser version has limited features
- Cloud backup depends on a user-managed cloud folder
- Its broad feature set may exceed simple browser-mixing needs
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallVirtualDJ9.2
All-around DJs needing maximum flexibility
Visit VirtualDJ - Lowest priceVirtualDJ9.2
Paid plans from $4/mo
Visit VirtualDJ - Best free optionVirtualDJ9.2
Has a free plan
Visit VirtualDJ - Most deck countVirtualDJ9.2
99
Visit VirtualDJ
All 15 Tau Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forAll-around DJs needing maximum flexibility
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.7
A flexible Windows and macOS DJ suite with free personal use and broad mixing features.
- Cloud library sync
- DVS support
- Stem separation
9.2/10★★★★★Visit VirtualDJ -
Best forAdvanced four-deck performance DJs
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.7
A capable four-deck desktop setup for advanced DJs who need stems, DVS, and effects.
- DVS support
- Stem separation
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Traktor Pro 4 -
Best forBudget-conscious open-source DJs
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.7
A capable free DJ platform for open-source users who do not need stems or video mixing.
- DVS support
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Mixxx -
Best forHardware-focused DJs needing cloud libraries
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.7
A broad DJ workspace with free access, four decks and paid cloud-library upgrades.
- Cloud library sync
- DVS support
- Stem separation
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit rekordbox -
Best forDJs mixing across desktop and mobile
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.7
A flexible DJ platform with four-deck mixing, stems, video, and broad streaming integrations.
- DVS support
- Stem separation
- Video mixing
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit djay -
Best forProfessional controller and streaming DJs
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.7
A mature four-deck DJ platform with strong stems, streaming and hardware support.
- DVS support
- Stem separation
- Video mixing
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Serato -
Best forBeginners wanting a genuinely free desktop DJ app
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.7
A capable free starting point with stems, streaming, and controller support.
- Stem separation
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Serato -
Best forBeginners wanting inexpensive two-deck mixing
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.7
Affordable two-deck mixing with core effects, Beatport access, and beginner-friendly controls.
- Stem separation
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Traktor Play -
Best forDJs wanting STEMS and library portability
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.7
A flexible DJUCED entry point for STEMS, four-deck mixing, and library portability.
- Stem separation
- Video mixing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit DJUCED -
Best forDJs wanting video, DVS, and karaoke tools
- Better than Tau:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.7
A flexible desktop DJ tool for video, DVS, stems, broadcasting, and karaoke.
- DVS support
- Stem separation
- Video mixing
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit future.dj pro -
Best forCasual DJs wanting low-cost audio and video mixing
A low-cost choice for casual audio and video DJs who can work with two decks.
- Stem separation
- Video mixing
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit ClubDJ Pro -
Best forBeginners wanting free, widely accessible mixing
A free, accessible DJ platform for beginners, with useful tools across many devices.
- Video mixing
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit YouDJ -
Best forMobile DJs wanting lessons and stem tools
A capable mobile DJ app with stems, lessons, and broad music-library integrations.
- Stem separation
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit edjing Mix -
Best forCreators editing mixes and mashups on a timeline
A strong timeline editor for creators who make mixes, mashups, and video exports.
- Stem separation
- Video mixing
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit DJ.Studio -
Best forMobile-first DJs using streaming libraries
A capable two-deck DJ app for mobile-first sets using streaming and cloud libraries.
- Cloud library sync
- Stem separation
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Cross DJ
Tau Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Tau?
VirtualDJ: #1 in our DJ Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A flexible Windows and macOS DJ suite with free personal use and broad mixing features.
Is there a free alternative to Tau?
Yes. VirtualDJ, Mixxx, rekordbox, djay and Serato DJ Lite have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Tau?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, VirtualDJ starts lowest, at $4/mo.
Why do people look for Tau alternatives?
The browser version has limited features; Cloud backup depends on a user-managed cloud folder; Its broad feature set may exceed simple browser-mixing needs.
Which Tau alternative has the most deck count?
VirtualDJ, with 99.
How do I switch from Tau?
Export your data from Tau (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Tau.
How to Switch from Tau
- Export your data from Tau (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Tau.
Tau vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported operating systems | Deck count | DVS support | Stem separation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Tau | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |||
| 1 | VirtualDJ | Yes | $4/mo | Windows and mac | 99 | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 2 | Traktor Pro 4 | No | $149 one-time | Windows and mac | 4 | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 3 | Mixxx | Yes | Free | Windows and mac | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 4 | rekordbox | Yes | Windows and mac | 4 | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 5 | djay | Yes | Windows and mac | 4 | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 6 | Serato DJ Pro | No | $11.99/mo | Windows and mac | 4 | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 7 | Serato DJ Lite | Yes | Free | Windows and mac | No | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 8 | Traktor Play | No | $49 one-time | Windows and mac | 2 | No | Yes | 8.2 |
| 9 | DJUCED | Yes | Windows and mac | 4 | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 10 | future.dj pro | Yes | $49.99/yr | Windows and mac | 4 | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 11 | ClubDJ Pro | Yes | $39.99 one-time | Windows and mac | 2 | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 12 | YouDJ | Yes | Windows and mac | 7.4 | ||||
| 13 | edjing Mix | Yes | Mobile | 2 | Yes | 7.3 | ||
| 14 | DJ.Studio | No | Windows and mac | Yes | 7.2 | |||
| 15 | Cross DJ | Yes | 2 | Yes | 7.1 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update