Head To Head: Serato DJ Pro Vs Virtual DJ 2018

For many years now, my primary DJ software has been Serato DJ (now known as Serato DJ Pro). I’ve tried and tested several of the other top-tier DJ platforms, but somehow Atomix’s Virtual DJ software was one that slipped under the radar. Well better late than never – time to compare Serato DJ Pro and Virtual DJ 2018.

Read the full article over on the Digital DJ Tips website:

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[DrivenUnder]

I'm using the Pioneer DDJ-1000 with virtual DJ8 and I couldn't be any happier!

[klausmogensen]

Thanks for the review (You forgot Deezer on the VDJ side when you mentioned Tidal)
I own and have used pro versions of both, but I very much prefer Virtual DJ.
Partly because of how much hardware it natively supports, and partly because of the enormous featureset - and new versions with added feature coming out almost monthly
But the major reason is how you can change it. It's not just configurations. It has an entire scripting language you can program, which is unmatched on any DJ platform
As an example you can create pad pages based on scripts, so that you can toggle your controller pads to do just about anything you can imagine - and 10 things at the same time if you want
I understand that for some Serato users "Less is more", and that many prefer a small limited platform. But it's simply too limited for my use, when I know what others can offer
So for me it's Virtual DJ first, then Rekordbox DJ, which I feel has surpassed Serato now, and then Serato last
I don't know Traktor all that well, so that is not included on the list

[MrDizzyLevy]

You forgot to mention Virtual DJ has a Home Plus License Option that allows you to purchase Licenses for specific controllers. The cost varies on the type of controller but I purchased the Home Plus for my DDJ-SB3 for $99 and I couldn't be happier with the compatibility.

[adammdc]

When I started DJing everybody made fun of anyone who use Virtual DJ but I preferred it especially over Traktor I do like serato but it's always felt Limited outside of just simple turntablism, scratching, beat juggling ...

[heliotavares]

Hello dj I love serato but now I'm using virtual dj 8 and boy I love it

[akinkunmicook]

Wow!!!! I had no idea how powerful Virtual DJ is!!!!

[PDrayUK]

VDJ has 'Sandbox' where you can try stuff out while your tunes are playing without affecting anything, even skipping through the currently playing track.
You can also analyse your tunes in VDJ without having to unplug your controller.
If you are super nerdy you can write SQL queries in VDJ to create your playlists

[DJDRFUNKJUICE]

What up. I been using VDJ since 2010 when I got the free version then I got the pro VDJ in 2013 and I never went back since plus I like all the FT on VDJ and specially I can go live on Periscope Facebook Live as well I really love using it till this day and it will alway be my go to software. Funk up Salute

[djjaywiththayay]

Great review Joe Moore. All of tips were on point. I personally like Serato just a little more. Virtual DJ is a very complex software to use. But other than that, it’s a strong and solid.

[dragonbreath]

Song requests and built-in streaming are HUGE. Hope Serato adds those features in the future

[solosquaddjs]

I used serato thinking its the "industry standard" and I did get better sound/scratching from the program but the features in Vdj blew it out the water especially when I started Karaoke and video mixing. The features of the sidelist such as adding different sample banks and multiple skin options makes it my choice instead of serato when performing

[mixlexic]

I have used virtual dj for years and I love it. Weddings, birthday parties, hip hop jams and just spinning with friends and it’s never ever done me wrong.

I’m pretty sure I don’t use it to its full potential.

[muchodj]

You nailed it- great video- one thing that I feel that you missed- VJD when you load up - it is pretty much instantly and also as you shut it down is very quick- Serato takes its time- I have both software's- (both licenses)- I feel like when it comes to slideshows and type of JPEG is much easier in VDJ- other than that its head to head- all depends on preference

[larymash]

Virtual dj any time. Though I have Serato Dj and Traktor Scratch, Virtual dj gives me more features for a standalone package. I just installed a serato skin to it. Good to go.

[Stimpy]

I love Serato in combination with the Numark NVII and de Pioneer DDJ-SR I use Virtual DJ with the Reloop Mixtour. Both great programs.

[mauricemcgary]

finally an unbiased opinion against vdj. I self taught and use vdj and its been awesome

[DavidSmith-ywop]

Great video! People are going to wonder why the DJ package that you show at 4:40 is showing $149.50 for Serato. I had to see when this video was recorded which was just this past week. I bought my Serato package a couple of weeks on their 50% sale special. The 50% sale is over now. I just ordered the Denon MCX-8000 controller this week thanks to Digital DJ Tips and Phil's review and chatting with him about the Denon Prime 4 which looks like the newest thing. Phil told me the Denon Prime 4 would not be ready for music videos to be played with Serato right away and I need it by July so, I got the Denon MCX-8000 controller that is supposed to be Serato Ready. I got my first controller on the way this week so, I haven't experienced the Serato DJ package yet but, I am looking forward to it. I am sure it will look better than what it looks in practice mode.


The music takes a few minutes to load in Serato after I load the Serato Pro. Nothing will show and then finally the crates will appear with the music. With VDJ8 you have to recurse some of the folders but, you can still run a search even when they are not showing. The reason, I believe they make you recurse the files is to help VDJ8 load faster. If it loaded all of the music and video files then it could take some time for VDJ8 to load. VDJ8 loads pretty fast at loading.


A HUGE comparison between VDJ8 and Serato Pro for people with a big collection, VDJ8 is way faster at Analyzing the files. Even with the computers Normal settings set above normal settings when Analyzing files on Serato, it was still slow and probably because Serato Pro choose to analyze 7 files at one time instead of one at time. It took days to Analyze my files with Serato. Analyzing 7 files at the same time, is probably not a good idea even for a user with a newer PC and plenty of RAM. With VDJ8 it took less than a day to analyze the files and it never peaked out the ram.


I have also dabbled with Virtual DJ a little without a controller and I felt like I could almost get away without one and just use my mouse and keyboard. Serato doesn't seem to let me out of practice mode without a controller. I am migrating from using Mixmeister Pro 6 for the last 20 years because my new PC doesn't like it and it crashes so, I am finally getting with the newer software which seems extremely easy to use.


I just did some research and have dabbled with Virtual DJ for Karaoke with the files still in the .zip files. Both can play Karaoke but Serato, has to have both the .mp3 and .cdg out of the .zip file which can take up some extra room on a hard drive when they are out of .zip file.


I haven't messed around the skins on VDJ8 but, I did notice the jagged edge on the drawing of their skins immediately which seemed like outdated graphics. It's mostly the circle around the record on the platter that looks like someone drew that circle with a pencil. Someone in their Java drawing department should work on that to make the edges more smoother and then it will look great!


Even though you shared your comparisons, I won't know which one I like more until I experience both of them first hand which will be sometime next week! Thanks for sharing your comparisons! We appreciate it! Now I know stuff I didn't know before between the two programs that I wouldn't of known otherwise!

[AWalYT]

And here I was under the impression that Serato had streaming features built-in...

Also, to be honest, the current skin that ships default with VDJ is a significant improvement over what it has been in the past. Do a Google Images search for "VirtualDJ 3.2" and you'll get some interesting screengrabs from the dark era of laptop djing.

[boblafleur]

I really like VirtualDJ because of the right hand panel you can pull out in the music library. I use it to statically show a playlist and then I can use search in the middle section without having my playlist "go away". Great for that "must play" list of songs but you can still take requests and not lose sight of your must play list. "PCDJ DEX" used to have this feature but then their developer who created it moved over to VirtaulDJ and DEX lost that feature, and VirtualDJ gained it. You can also show other things in this right-hand panel such as automix, sampler, etc. There's another panel you can pull out with your selected track details but I never use that.


Being able to have two different play lists on screen at once, or a play list and search results, is a killer feature for VirtualDJ for certain types of DJ's (especially those who take a lot of requests)


So does Serato (or any other software) have this 3rd panel setup?


Thanks for the comparison video!

[dr.labbejl]

VDJ can add any video on the fly to any audio files without video to avoid blank screen.