Karaoke 5

Karaoke 5 is a karaoke player and hosting tool for singers, DJs, and anyone running a live sing-along. It suits hosts who want lyric display and smartphone requests alongside playback, though its free edition leaves several useful preparation and event tools out.

Overview

Karaoke 5 brings playback, lyric synchronization, library management, and audience interaction into one program. Its broad format support helps when a collection includes more than standard karaoke files, and dual-screen output keeps lyrics visible to a room while the operator stays at the computer. The main trade-off is that Freeware is limited to playback and management: synchronization, YouTube downloads, mobile management, and the music quiz require a paid option.

Key features

The player handles K5, MIDI, KAR, KFN, MP3, WMA, CD+G, and video formats including MP4 and FLV. That range is useful for hosts working with a mixed library. Karaoke 5 also offers vocal controls and track creation; its real-time vocal remover can make a backing track from an original song, though the quality of any result depends on the source track.

Dual-screen mode sends lyrics to a second monitor or TV while the operator controls the program from the computer. Guests can use smartphones to book songs, send requests and on-screen messages, vote, and chat. Together, these functions make Karaoke 5 a stronger fit for hosted sessions than for someone who only needs a personal sing-along player. Mobile management is not part of Freeware.

The voice assistant searches the user's library, a P2P network, and YouTube, with support for eight languages. Separate YouTube tools let users search and preview videos and download tracks into a database or playlist; downloads are excluded from Freeware. The music quiz creates questions from the user's music library and includes multiplayer and multiple game modes. HOME supports mobile management and the quiz for up to five users; PRO has no stated cap for those features.

Pricing

Karaoke 5 has a free edition and paid licenses for home and professional use. The Freeware plan costs nothing and includes the player and manager, but omits synchronization, YouTube downloads, mobile management, and the music quiz. It is a reasonable way to play and organize tracks, but not a full hosting or lyric-preparation setup.

The Annual Subscription HOME for 1 PC costs €35 a year, with no automatic renewal, and is for home use on one computer. The HOME one-time license costs €55, paid once, covers one PC for home use, and includes one year of free software updates. Choose the subscription for a lower initial cost if yearly access suits you; choose the one-time license if you prefer a perpetual license and accept the higher upfront price.

For multiple computers, the Annual Subscription PRO for 3 PC costs €75 a year, with no automatic renewal. The PRO one-time license costs €155, paid once, is for unlimited time on three PCs, and includes one year of free software updates. Both are the more suitable choices for professional use; HOME is explicitly limited to home use. HOME one-time license with immediate technical assistance costs €85, paid once, and PRO one-time license with immediate technical assistance costs €185, paid once. The assistance add-on covers Karaoke 5's technical functions, not PC, operating system, hardware, firewall, or third-party software problems.

Existing full HOME or PRO license holders on version 45 or later can buy a one-year upgrade service for €25 a year or €65 a year, respectively. Immediate Technical Assistance costs €30, paid once for existing full program purchasers and is offered in Italian only. There is no free trial. The personal, non-transferable license permits one copy on up to three computers belonging to the same person.

Platforms

Karaoke 5 is offered for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. The download page provides Windows and Mac OS X versions; its requirements include Windows 11, 10, or 8 and Mac OS versions 10.15 through 26.

Who it's for

Karaoke 5 fits DJs and home or professional hosts who want to run playback from a computer, display lyrics separately, and let guests participate through their phones. It is also useful for singers who want broad format support, lyric synchronization, or a way to create backing tracks from original songs. Someone who only needs free playback can start with Freeware; anyone who needs synchronization, mobile management, YouTube downloads, or quizzes should budget for a paid license.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad audio, karaoke, and video format support helps accommodate an existing mixed collection.
• Dual-screen lyrics and smartphone requests, voting, messages, and chat support a more interactive hosted session.
• The vocal remover and library-based music quiz add tools for creating backing tracks and running music games.
• HOME and PRO perpetual licenses offer one-time purchase options, and the subscriptions do not automatically renew.

Cons

• Freeware excludes lyric synchronization, YouTube downloads, mobile management, and the quiz, limiting its usefulness for full event preparation.
• HOME restricts mobile management and the quiz to up to five users, while PRO is the option without that stated cap.
• HOME is for home use on one PC, so professional use or three-computer coverage calls for PRO.
• Immediate technical assistance is Italian-only and does not cover computer, operating system, hardware, firewall, or third-party software issues.

Alternatives

Compare karaoke software if you want to explore the category before choosing a player or hosting setup.

• OpenKJ is a free, open-source karaoke hosting option with versions for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows; its Songbook plan starts at $9.99 a month.
• KaraFun is another freemium option, with a free tier for songs, premium previews, and a quiz, and a Premium plan at £7.99 a month. Consider it if those song and quiz provisions better match your needs.
• Karaoke Mugen is a free, MIT-licensed option for Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, with no paid plan.
• Encore Karaoke is a free, open-source karaoke player for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows; its song library is not included.
• Nightingale is a free, open-source karaoke app for Linux, macOS, self-hosted use, web, and Windows.
• Smule suits singers who want to join existing duets at no cost, with a VIP All Access Pass at $19.99 a month that renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before renewal.
• TKaraoke is a freemium alternative for Android, iOS, and Windows.
• Kanto Karaoke Player&Recorder has free trial versions for macOS and Windows; its Windows free edition caps playlists at five songs, recordings at one minute, and MIDI-to-MP3 conversion at one minute, and bars professional use.

Verdict

Choose Karaoke 5 if you host karaoke from a computer and want separate lyric display, smartphone guest requests, and playback across a broad range of formats. Freeware handles basic playback and library management, while paid HOME and PRO plans unlock the synchronization and event tools that make the product more complete. Look elsewhere if you need those capabilities without a paid license or want a simpler free player.