Mixxx
Mixxx is a free, open-source, cross-platform DJ mixing application for Windows, macOS, and Linux serving hobbyist, professional, and educational DJs worldwide, developed by an international volunteer community under the German nonprofit Mixxx e.V.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Mixxx does
Mixxx is a free, open-source cross-platform DJ mixing application for Windows, macOS, and Linux that enables hobbyist, professional, and educational DJs to perform live mixes with digital music files. The product is built on the Qt C++ framework (with PortAudio for audio I/O, PortMidi for MIDI, and MusicBrainz for metadata) and provides four-deck beatmatching via automatic BPM/key detection with Sync Lock, chainable audio effects (with external effect routing via AU Lab on macOS and JACK Rack on Linux), vinyl control/DVS using timecode records, programmable MIDI/HID DJ-controller mapping, and live broadcasting to Icecast/Shoutcast servers. The application is currently being transitioned from a QWidget-based UI to a native QML (Qt Quick) interface for version 3.0, incorporating hardware-accelerated rendering via Apple Metal and Microsoft DirectX and vector-based scaling for 4K/retina displays and Raspberry Pi.
Mixxx is operated as a community-driven open-source project with no commercial sales organization. The legal entity behind the project is Mixxx e.V., a registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein, VR 25977) under German law, headquartered in Hamburg and governed by a three-person board elected in 2025 for a three-year term. The project has no paid staff, no equity, no venture backing, and no parent company; development is performed entirely by an international group of volunteer contributors and participants in Google Summer of Code (annually since 2007) and Outreachy internships.
The revenue model is donation-only. Mixxx accepts contributions via two channels — Mixxx e.V. through Open Collective for EUR donations (tax-deductible in Germany and the EEA) and Open Source Collective for USD donations — used to cover hosting, test equipment, and modest operational costs. Distribution is entirely self-serve via the official website, the Mac App Store, and Linux package managers (Ubuntu PPA, Fedora RPM Fusion, Arch AUR, Flathub). No telemetry or mandatory user accounts are collected, and the software ships with the full feature set in the free download. The headcount listed as "11–50 employees" reflects the volunteer contributor base rather than paid staff.
Mixxx firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mixxx
- Legal name
- Mixxx e.V.
- Website
- https://mixxx.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Mixxx is a free, open-source, cross-platform DJ mixing application for Windows, macOS, and Linux serving hobbyist, professional, and educational DJs worldwide, developed by an international volunteer community under the German nonprofit Mixxx e.V.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mixxx industry classification
Industry- Product category
- DJ Mixing Software
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live Performance & DJ Software (Playback, Mixing, Lighting Control) (MPAIAIAI)
Keywords
Where Mixxx is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Mixxx business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations: Mixxx operates as a non-profit project with no business model. The sole revenue stream is donations received through two platforms: Mixxx e.V. (EU/German donations via Open Collective, tax-deductible in Germany and EEA) and Open Source Collective (US-based 501(c)(6) for broader USD donations). Donations support website hosting, DJ equipment for testing, and operational costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Forever - Complete DJ Software |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Mixxx product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mixxx is a free, open-source DJ mixing application for Windows, macOS, and Linux that enables DJs to perform live mixes with digital music files. It integrates professional tools including automatic BPM and musical key detection with Sync Lock for beatmatching, built-in MIDI/HID DJ controller support with programmable mappings, chainable audio effects, vinyl control (DVS) via timecode records, and live broadcasting to Icecast/Shoutcast servers.
Product overview
Mixxx is a single, unified free and open-source DJ mixing software application. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and provides DJs with all the tools needed for live performances including BPM/key detection with Sync Lock for beatmatching, built-in DJ controller support, audio effects, vinyl record control with timecode vinyl, and internet broadcasting to Shoutcast/Icecast servers. Mixxx is and always will be free, with development driven by an international community of volunteers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mixxx DJ Software
Quantifiable outcome
- Zero cost to users - fully featured DJ software without subscription or upgrade fees
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Mixxx
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Mixxx technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature5 records
Mixxx partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Qt (Qt Company/Digia)coreQt is the cross-platform C++ application framework that Mixxx is built upon. Essential for the application's GUI, audio processing infrastructure, and now QML transition.
- PortAudiocoreCross-platform audio I/O library used for audio input/output handling across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- PortMidicoreMIDI input/output library enabling controller support across all platforms.
- GitHubcoreCode hosting, issue tracking, and wiki platform for Mixxx development. GitHub provides infrastructure for the open-source project.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Mixxx competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mixvibes (Cross DJ): Mixvibes Cross DJ is a commercial cross-platform DJ application with DVS and MIDI controller support. A smaller direct competitor comparable to Mixxx in scope (DVS, controller mappings, broadcast) and in serving both hobbyist and pro DJ segments.
- Native Instruments (Traktor): Traktor is a long-established commercial DJ platform from Native Instruments offering DVS, controller support, effects, and Stems/Remix decks. Competes directly with Mixxx in the pro/hobbyist DJ market and shares core functionality (BPM sync, cueing, hardware control).
- VirtualDJ: VirtualDJ is a long-running commercial DJ software (Atomix Productions) with broad controller support, video mixing, and live broadcasting features. Closely comparable to Mixxx in feature breadth and target user (hobbyist to professional DJ), and is among the most commonly named alternatives to Mixxx.
- Pioneer DJ / rekordbox: rekordbox is Pioneer DJ's flagship DJ performance and library software, tightly integrated with Pioneer DJ's hardware ecosystem (CDJs, XDJ, DDJ controllers). Competes head-to-head with Mixxx for live performance use cases and shares the controller-mapping paradigm.
- Serato: Serato DJ Pro and Serato DJ Lite are the leading paid commercial DJ software products, directly competing with Mixxx in the same use case (live DJ performance, DVS, controller integration). Mixxx is frequently cited as the primary free alternative to Serato in DJ communities.
- Algoriddim djay: djay is a commercial cross-platform DJ app (macOS, iOS, Windows) from Algoriddim featuring DVS, controller support, and AI-assisted mixing features. A direct competitor to Mixxx in the consumer/prosumer DJ software market and frequently compared in product reviews.
Broad incumbents
- Ableton: Ableton Live is a broader music creation/performance DAW used by DJs for studio and live sets but not as a dedicated DJ mixing application. Included as a broad incumbent because it competes for the same creator's time, training dollars, and cross-platform software budget as Mixxx, particularly among hybrid DJ/producer workflows.
Others
- Spotify, Apple Music, Beatport: Music distribution and streaming platforms are adjacent ecosystem participants — they are part of a DJ's library acquisition workflow alongside Mixxx but do not directly compete. Included as ecosystem peers because Beatport (in particular) is tightly integrated into pro DJ software workflows via file format and metadata expectations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Mixxx social profiles
Digital presenceMixxx financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mixxx leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Mixxx funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mixxx M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mixxx
What does Mixxx do?
Mixxx is a free, open-source DJ mixing application for Windows, macOS, and Linux that enables DJs to perform live mixes with digital music files. It integrates professional tools including automatic BPM and musical key detection with Sync Lock for beatmatching, built-in MIDI/HID DJ controller support with programmable mappings, chainable audio effects, vinyl control (DVS) via timecode records, and live broadcasting to Icecast/Shoutcast servers.
Is Mixxx a public or private company?
Mixxx is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Mixxx founded?
Mixxx was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Mixxx based?
Mixxx is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mixxx make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations.
Who are Mixxx's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mixvibes (Cross DJ), Native Instruments (Traktor), VirtualDJ, Pioneer DJ / rekordbox, Serato and Algoriddim djay. Ableton is listed as a broad incumbent. Spotify, Apple Music, Beatport is listed as an others.
Does Mixxx have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mixxx.
What industry is Mixxx in?
Mixxx's product category is DJ Mixing Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAIAI, Live Performance & DJ Software (Playback, Mixing, Lighting Control).