Compare NexaDeck + NexaLive to Every Major Karaoke Platform

Professional karaoke DJs and KJ hosts have more software choices than ever — but most options fall into one of two categories. On one side, you have traditional desktop applications like PCDJ Karaoki, Karaosoft Karma, and CompuHost that handle CDG playback and singer rotation but offer zero audience engagement, no mobile control, and no cloud connectivity. On the other side, streaming platforms like KaraFun and Singa provide cloud-based song catalogs but lack local library support, offline reliability, and professional-grade audio processing.

NexaDeck + NexaLive is the first platform to bridge both worlds. NexaDeck delivers professional desktop show control with a custom Rust audio engine, independent pitch and tempo control, smart singer rotation, multi-display output, and full support for your existing CDG and MP4 library. NexaLive adds cloud-powered audience engagement — QR code song requests, real-time queue tracking for patrons, a mobile DJ panel, venue kiosk mode, and branded show discovery pages. Together, they form the only integrated desktop + cloud karaoke platform on the market.

This page provides a comprehensive, feature-by-feature comparison of NexaDeck + NexaLive against every major competitor in the karaoke software space. Whether you are evaluating karaoke hosting software for the first time or considering switching from your current platform, this comparison will help you make an informed decision.

PCDJ Karaoki is one of the most well-known names in professional karaoke software and has been a reliable choice for Windows-based KJs for over a decade. It offers solid CDG and MP4 playback, a functional singer rotation system, and buffer music management. At $99 for a perpetual license (with a 14-day free trial available), it represents an affordable one-time investment. For DJs who run Windows-only setups, never need cloud-based audience engagement tools, and are comfortable with a traditional desktop workflow, Karaoki gets the core job done.

However, PCDJ Karaoki has limitations that increasingly frustrate professional KJs. It is strictly Windows-only, immediately excluding DJs on macOS or Linux. While it does offer web-based song requests through SongBookDB integration, there are no QR codes, no real-time queue tracking for patrons, no mobile DJ control panel, and no cloud-based show management. The interface, while functional, shows its age compared to modern application design. Pitch and tempo control are available, but Karaoki lacks the professional DSP modes (rubberband, turntable) that NexaDeck provides through its Rust-powered SoundTouch audio engine.

NexaDeck + NexaLive addresses every limitation of PCDJ Karaoki while matching its core strengths. You get the same reliable CDG/MP4 playback and singer rotation you depend on, plus cross-platform support (Mac, Windows, Linux), professional DSP modes, and the entire NexaLive cloud ecosystem — audience song requests via QR code, real-time queue tracking for patrons, mobile DJ control from any phone, venue kiosk mode, branded show discovery pages, and library sync to the cloud. Both NexaDeck and Karaoki offer 14-day free trials, so you can evaluate side-by-side before committing.

PCDJ LYRX is PCDJ's newer karaoke offering that brings cross-platform support to both Mac and Windows, addressing one of Karaoki's biggest limitations. It shares much of Karaoki's DNA — CDG/MP4 playback, singer rotation, and buffer music — while adding a modernized interface and Mac compatibility. At $79.95 for a perpetual license (with a free trial available), it is PCDJ's most affordable option and includes their KSR web-based song request system.

While LYRX is a step forward from Karaoki in platform support, it still has notable gaps. The KSR system handles basic web-based song requests, but there are no QR codes, no real-time queue tracking, no mobile DJ control, and no cloud-based show management. Linux is not supported, limiting DJs who run Linux-based entertainment rigs. The audio engine, while capable, does not offer independent tempo control separate from pitch, nor the professional DSP modes that NexaDeck provides. Singer rotation, while functional, lacks the advanced features like singer profiles with history tracking and configurable insertion strategies.

NexaDeck + NexaLive goes beyond what LYRX offers in every dimension. Full three-platform support including Linux, a Rust-powered audio engine with independent pitch and tempo control, and the complete NexaLive cloud platform with QR code requests, real-time queue tracking, mobile DJ control, kiosk mode, and show discovery pages. For DJs who chose LYRX specifically for Mac support, NexaDeck delivers that plus an entire ecosystem of cloud features that LYRX's KSR system cannot match.

Karaosoft Karma has been a workhorse in the professional karaoke DJ community for many years. Known for its comprehensive singer management features and reliable CDG playback, Karma is a popular choice among KJs who prioritize rotation management above all else. Its singer database with history tracking is a standout feature, and the multi-display output handles the dual-screen karaoke setup that most venues require. At $199 for a perpetual license, it is competitively priced as a professional-grade tool with a long track record.

Karma's most significant limitations are its Windows-only platform restriction, absence of cloud connectivity beyond basic SingNext.com mobile requests, and its dated user interface. In a market where half of professional DJs use macOS, Windows exclusivity is a dealbreaker for a large segment of the audience. Karma does include Auto-Pitch for key changes, but lacks independent tempo control and professional DSP modes. While SingNext handles basic paperless song requests, there is no QR code access, no real-time queue tracking for patrons, no mobile DJ control, and no way to promote shows or connect with audiences online. No free trial is available to evaluate the software before purchasing.

NexaDeck + NexaLive provides everything Karma does well — comprehensive singer rotation with profiles and history, multi-display output, and reliable playback — while adding cross-platform support, professional audio DSP with independent pitch and tempo control, the full NexaLive cloud engagement platform, and a 14-day free trial that makes evaluation risk-free. NexaDeck starts at $179 with 1 year of updates included and the option to add cloud features through NexaLive, providing a more complete platform at a comparable price.

CompuHost V3 is a veteran in the professional karaoke hosting space, particularly popular among experienced KJs who run high-volume bar shows. It offers robust singer rotation with detailed singer profiles and history tracking, CDG and MP4 playback, basic pitch control, buffer music management, multi-window display, and some limited custom branding options for the audience display. At $180, it sits in the mid-range of perpetual license pricing. CompuHost has built a loyal following by focusing on the operational workflow that experienced karaoke DJs need during live shows.

Like its Windows-only peers, CompuHost V3 is restricted to the Windows operating system, offers no cloud features, no audience engagement tools, no mobile DJ control, and no digital song request system. Its interface, while information-dense, reflects design conventions from an earlier era of software development. Pitch control is available but basic — there is no independent tempo adjustment and no professional DSP modes. The limited branding customization cannot compare to NexaLive's full custom branding system with custom domains. CompuHost occupies an awkward middle ground: more expensive than some alternatives but with a similarly limited feature set, and lacking the modern cloud ecosystem that professional DJs increasingly demand.

NexaDeck + NexaLive respects what CompuHost gets right — the focus on operational efficiency during live shows, detailed singer management, and customizable displays — while modernizing every aspect. Cross-platform support, professional Rust-powered audio with independent pitch and tempo control, the complete NexaLive cloud platform, and a 14-day free trial make NexaDeck + NexaLive a compelling upgrade path for CompuHost users who want to stop being limited by Windows-only software with no audience connectivity.

KaraFun takes a fundamentally different approach to karaoke software by operating as a streaming-first platform. Rather than playing files from a local library, KaraFun streams songs from its cloud catalog of 50,000–65,000+ re-recorded tracks (not original recordings). It runs on Mac, Windows, web, iOS, Android, and smart TVs, offering basic singer rotation management and pitch control. KaraFun's modern interface is clean and accessible, making it popular with casual users, party hosts, and some bar venues. The $49/month Pro subscription includes unlimited catalog access and full offline sync. A permanent free tier with 30-second previews is available (not a time-limited trial).

KaraFun's streaming-first model creates critical problems for professional karaoke DJs. First, it does not support local CDG or MP4 files at all — the thousands of dollars professional KJs have invested in their song libraries cannot be used with KaraFun. Second, while KaraFun Pro can sync the full catalog for offline use, the Premium tier only allows 1,000 offline songs, and an active subscription is always required for access. Third, KaraFun's tracks are re-recorded by studio musicians — not the professional manufacturer brands (Sound Choice, Chartbuster, Sunfly, etc.) that KJs and their audiences know and trust. Fourth, the $49/month recurring cost adds up to $588 per year with no perpetual ownership — if you stop paying, you lose access to everything. Finally, KaraFun offers no multi-display output, no kiosk mode, no mobile DJ control, no show discovery pages, no QR code requests, and no real-time queue tracking for audiences.

NexaDeck + NexaLive is the antithesis of KaraFun's streaming-only approach. NexaDeck respects your existing CDG and MP4 library investment, runs offline when needed, and delivers professional-grade audio that a browser-based player cannot match. NexaLive adds the cloud engagement features that KaraFun lacks — QR code song requests, real-time queue tracking, mobile DJ control, kiosk mode, and show discovery pages. NexaDeck starts at $179 with a 14-day free trial, and the Pro tier delivers more value than KaraFun's $49/month while supporting both local files and cloud features.

VirtualDJ is primarily a DJ mixing application that happens to include karaoke functionality as a secondary feature. It is one of the most popular DJ software platforms in the world, known for its powerful mixing engine, extensive hardware controller support, and deep effects processing. VirtualDJ supports CDG and MP4 playback, offers pitch and tempo control, and can handle multi-display output. The Pro version costs $299 for a perpetual license or $20/month, and a more limited free version is available. For DJs who primarily spin music and occasionally host karaoke, VirtualDJ's dual capability is appealing.

The fundamental limitation of VirtualDJ for karaoke is that it is not designed for karaoke hosting. It has no built-in singer rotation system — the core workflow that every karaoke DJ depends on. There are no singer profiles, no rotation history, no queue management designed for the specific cadence of a karaoke show. While you can find third-party scripts and workarounds, they are clunky compared to purpose-built rotation management. VirtualDJ also offers no audience engagement features — no digital song requests, no QR codes, no real-time queue tracking for patrons. The mobile remote control exists but only works on the local network (LAN), not over the cloud. There is no kiosk mode, no show discovery, and no custom domains. The interface, while powerful for DJ mixing, is overwhelming and unnecessarily complex for a karaoke show workflow.

NexaDeck is built from the ground up specifically for professional karaoke hosting. Every feature — singer rotation, library search, audience display, buffer music, request management — is designed for the karaoke DJ workflow, not bolted onto a music mixing platform. NexaLive adds an entire cloud ecosystem that VirtualDJ cannot match. If your primary activity is karaoke hosting, NexaDeck + NexaLive delivers a purpose-built, streamlined experience that a general-purpose DJ application simply cannot replicate. If you do both music DJing and karaoke, NexaDeck handles the karaoke side with dedicated tools while VirtualDJ handles your mixing sets — the best of both worlds.

OpenKJ is a free, open-source karaoke hosting application that deserves respect for making professional karaoke software accessible to everyone. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux, supports CDG playback, and includes a functional singer rotation system with singer profiles and history tracking. For budget-conscious KJs or those just getting started in karaoke hosting, OpenKJ provides a solid foundation at no cost. The open-source community around it, while small, is dedicated.

OpenKJ's limitations reflect the challenges of a small open-source project. MP4 video karaoke support is absent, there is no pitch or tempo control, no professional DSP processing, no buffer music system, and no audience engagement features of any kind. The interface is functional but utilitarian, and development pace is slow compared to commercial products. There are no cloud features, no mobile DJ control, no digital song requests, and no way to promote shows online. For DJs who need to grow beyond basic CDG playback and rotation, OpenKJ hits a ceiling quickly.

NexaDeck + NexaLive offers a compelling upgrade path from OpenKJ. NexaDeck includes everything OpenKJ provides — cross-platform CDG playback and singer rotation — plus MP4 video karaoke, pitch and tempo control, buffer music, and a modern interface. Upgrading to NexaDeck Pro adds professional DSP modes, and connecting NexaLive unlocks the entire cloud ecosystem. For OpenKJ users who have outgrown its limitations, NexaDeck is the natural next step — with a 14-day free trial that makes the transition risk-free.

Singa is a streaming karaoke platform available on web, iOS, and Android. Based in Finland, Singa offers a large streaming catalog of 100,000+ songs across 40+ languages, a clean mobile interface, and social features that appeal to casual karaoke enthusiasts singing at home or at supported venues. The consumer subscription is $9.99/month (with a 30-day free trial and a free tier offering 3 songs per day), with venue pricing starting at $149+/month. Singa has a modern UI and has built a growing community of casual karaoke fans.

Singa is not designed for professional karaoke DJs or venue hosting at scale. It does not support CDG or MP4 files from a local library, has no singer rotation system, no multi-display output, and no buffer music. The consumer app has no offline capability (the iPad-based Singa Box for venues can cache songs offline). It is primarily a streaming consumer product — you cannot bring your own song library. While Singa offers limited in-app song requests, it lacks QR code access, mobile DJ control, show discovery pages, and the professional audio processing that live venue shows demand.

NexaDeck + NexaLive operates in a fundamentally different category than Singa. Where Singa targets consumers singing in their living rooms, NexaDeck + NexaLive is built for professional KJs running live shows at bars, venues, and events. The comparison is included here for completeness — if you are evaluating Singa for professional use, you will quickly discover it lacks the features that live karaoke hosting requires. NexaDeck + NexaLive provides every professional feature Singa lacks while adding the modern audience engagement that makes shows memorable.

If you need cross-platform support...

Only NexaDeck, OpenKJ, and PCDJ LYRX offer Mac support among dedicated karaoke applications. Only NexaDeck and OpenKJ support Linux. KaraFun and Singa run in browsers but sacrifice local library support and offline reliability. If you use macOS or Linux, NexaDeck is the only professional-grade karaoke application with full platform support AND cloud audience engagement.

If you need audience engagement...

NexaDeck + NexaLive is the only karaoke platform with integrated, zero-friction audience song requests via QR code, real-time queue tracking, mobile DJ control, venue kiosk mode, and show discovery pages. No other dedicated karaoke application in this comparison offers any of these features. KaraFun and Singa offer basic in-app requests, but they require app downloads or account creation — NexaLive requires neither.

If you need professional audio control...

NexaDeck and VirtualDJ offer the most advanced audio processing. NexaDeck provides independent pitch and tempo control with rubberband and turntable DSP modes through its custom Rust audio engine. VirtualDJ offers extensive DJ effects but lacks karaoke-specific workflow. PCDJ products offer basic pitch control. Karma offers no pitch control at all. KaraFun and Singa offer only basic key adjustment.

If you need offline reliability...

KaraFun and Singa require constant internet connectivity. All other desktop applications in this comparison work offline. However, only NexaDeck + NexaLive offers BOTH offline reliability AND cloud features — the offline-first, cloud-enhanced approach means your show always runs, and cloud engagement activates when connectivity is available.

If you have an existing CDG/MP4 library...

KaraFun and Singa do not support local files at all — your existing library investment is worthless on these platforms. Every other competitor supports local CDG files. NexaDeck goes further with smart search, MusicBrainz metadata enrichment, BLAKE3 duplicate detection, and cloud library sync — respecting and enhancing your existing investment rather than forcing you to abandon it.

If budget is your primary concern...

OpenKJ is completely free but limited in features. NexaDeck starts at $179 with a 14-day free trial that gives full access to all features. VirtualDJ has a limited free version. All other competitors require payment upfront or a monthly subscription before you can evaluate the software. NexaDeck's 14-day trial gives full access to all features, making it the easiest way to evaluate a commercial karaoke application risk-free.