CortexDJ

Overview

It is best suited to DJs with local music collections who want help shaping a set without giving up control. Its strongest case is the combination of automatic sequencing and usable deck controls; streaming-service libraries are a firm limitation.

Key features

Analysis and automatic mixing

CortexDJ identifies key, energy, BPM and song structure, then adjusts beatgrids toward real kick drums. It sequences tracks harmonically, shapes the set’s energy and applies transitions including filter sweeps, echo throws and bass swaps. That makes it a practical set-building aid when choosing a sequence and maintaining flow is the main task. If it cannot lock a track’s beatgrid with confidence, it excludes it from the auto-mix and flags it to the user—a sensible guardrail, though it may leave out tracks you hoped to use.

The software works with local MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A/AAC and OGG files. Spotify, Apple Music and TIDAL libraries are unsupported, so it is not the right choice for a collection based on those services. The maker says the library, analysis and mixes stay on the computer. Music licenses are not included.

Decks, controllers and exports

Live decks include EQ, effects, loops, hot cues and pads, and users can take over while the AI is mixing. Pro auto-detects and maps listed Pioneer/AlphaTheta, Hercules and Numark controllers; MIDI learn extends support to other class-compliant USB MIDI devices. This makes Pro the relevant tier for controller-based use, while the free plan still covers live decks and rendered mixes.

Pro also adds audio and HD video recording and live-streaming to YouTube, Twitch and Facebook. It does not supply music rights, so users remain responsible for licensing. All tiers export rekordbox XML with beatgrids, hot cues and crates, plus Serato-readable M3U8 playlists and crate files. Serato hot cues do not export, an important caveat for DJs moving cue-heavy libraries.

Pricing

CortexDJ is freemium, with no free trial. Every key works on up to two computers.

• Free — free. Free forever for home use, with no trial clock or credit card required. It includes analysis, AI auto-mixing and mashups, live decks, rendered mixes and rekordbox and Serato exports. Choose it for home use if those tools are enough; it does not include the Pro features of controller mapping, recording, streaming or priority email support.
• Pro — $7.45 a month. Adds MIDI controller support, audio and HD video recording, live-streaming and priority email support. It covers up to two computers and can be canceled anytime. This is the fit for DJs who need those performance and capture tools without a lifetime purchase.
• Lifetime — $127, paid once. Includes Pro and future Pro features for one key on up to two computers, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It suits buyers who prefer a one-time payment over a monthly subscription.

Platforms

The desktop app supports 64-bit Windows 10/11 and macOS on Apple Silicon in beta, with about 8 GB RAM listed. A separate browser mixer is also in beta and is not the full app, so browser users should not expect desktop-equivalent functionality.

Who it's for

CortexDJ is a strong fit for home DJs with local files who want automatic set construction, a route into manual deck control and exports for rekordbox or Serato. Pro is more compelling for controller users and DJs who need to record or stream. It is a poor fit for anyone whose music library depends on Spotify, Apple Music or TIDAL.

Pros and cons

• Pro: The free home-use plan includes auto-mixing, live decks, rendered mixes and library exports, so core set-building does not require a subscription.
• Pro: Uncertain beatgrids are excluded and identified rather than silently relied on in an auto-mix.
• Pro: Local analysis and broad local-file format support suit DJs who want their libraries and mixes kept on their computer.
• Con: Streaming libraries from Spotify, Apple Music and TIDAL are unsupported, ruling it out for many service-based collections.
• Con: Serato exports omit hot cues, which can mean extra preparation for cue-dependent workflows.
• Con: Apple Silicon support and the browser mixer are beta, while the browser option is not the full app.

Alternatives

For a broader category comparison, see AI DJ Software.

• djay is worth considering if Android or iOS support matters; it also has macOS and Windows versions, a free download and an optional PRO subscription for advanced features.
• Offtrack is another freemium option with Android, iOS and macOS support.
• SetPrep offers a free plan capped at 3 mixes per month and a £5.99 a month Pro Monthly plan; consider it if that free quota or monthly price suits your needs.
• automixer.ai is a web option with a free tier capped at 3 projects, 6 tracks per project and 5 exports per month, or a $14.99 a month Pro plan.
• Mixbridge is a free alternative for iOS or web.
• AuraJam is a web alternative whose free tier allows five exports a day with a small mark on exports; its on-device tools are unmetered.
• PulseGrid is a free alternative available for Linux, macOS, Windows, web and self-hosting.
• DJ TITAN is a paid option with a free trial and a $20 a month browser plan; consider it if a browser-based, no-install workflow is the priority.

Verdict

Choose CortexDJ if you want local-file analysis and automatic beatmatched sets alongside live deck control, with a useful free home-use tier. Look elsewhere if your collection lives in a streaming service, or if you need a fully supported browser or Apple Silicon experience rather than a beta.