Mixxx review: mix tracks on your computer

Mixxx is free open-source DJ software for new and experienced DJs.¹ There is no official paid or “pro” version.² Your library and settings stay on that computer, and the app does not ask you to create an account.⁴⁶

Last checked October 29, 2026.

At a glance

• What it is: Desktop software for live mixes of digital music files.¹
• Works on: Windows, macOS and Linux. Stable 2.5.6 asks for Windows 10 build 1809 or later, and macOS 11 or later.²
• Price: Free. No official paid or “pro” version. Donations are optional.²
• Licence: GNU General Public License (GPL), version 2 or later.²
• Best for: Mixing a music collection on your own computer, and keeping the library there.
• Official site: mixxx.org

What Mixxx does (and how it protects your privacy)

Mixxx performs live mixes of digital music files, and a new DJ can start with a laptop.¹ A deck is one virtual turntable. There are four decks.³ Keylock changes tempo without changing pitch, and Sync Lock keeps decks in time.³

Crates sort your music, playlists plan a set, and Auto DJ can crossfade if you step away.³ Mixxx can read libraries from iTunes, Traktor, Banshee, Rekordbox, Rhythmbox and Serato.³ It plays FLAC, WAV, AIFF, MP3, M4A/AAC, Ogg Vorbis and Opus.³

Track locations, cues, playlists and crates sit in a settings folder on the computer.⁶ Mixxx does not rewrite audio files unless you turn on the option that copies library edits into the file tags.⁷ A recording can be archived in the Mixxx library.³ To trim that file later, use Audacity. A tag lookup or a live broadcast is a separate choice, and each one sends data to a service outside Mixxx.⁴

Mixxx key features

• Four decks: Drop a song on a deck to play it, with a scratchable waveform and a whole-song overview.³
• Beat tools: Keylock, Sync Lock, beat loops, hotcues to mark places in a track, and on-beat cues.³
• Effects and samplers: Chain up to three effects, and load up to 64 sampler decks.³
• Controllers and vinyl: Included presets, MIDI or HID mappings, and timecode vinyl.¹³
• Library tools: Crates, playlists, search, speed (BPM) and key detection, and Auto DJ.¹³
• Record or stream: Record to WAV, FLAC or Ogg Vorbis. MP3 needs the separate LAME library. Streaming uses a Shoutcast or Icecast server.³

Mixxx pros and cons

Pros

• The download is free, and that file is the full version.²
• Official builds cover Windows, macOS and Linux, and you can start with a laptop.¹²
• The privacy policy says there is no account, no collection of user data in ordinary use, and no telemetry.⁴
• Cues and playlists stay in a settings folder. Tag edits stay there unless you opt in to writing them into the audio files.⁶⁷
• Stable 2.5.6 is the live-use release. The download page also lists 2.6 beta snapshots. The newest builds shown are dated 29 October 2026.²

Cons

• The download page lists Windows, macOS and Linux. It does not list an iPhone or Android app.²
• Version 2.5.6 asks for Windows 10 build 1809 or later, and macOS 11 or later. A 2.4.2 build is listed for Windows 7, but old versions are unsupported.²
• Beta snapshots are not for live use.²
• A laptop can run Mixxx, but taking full advantage needs specialized DJ hardware. On most laptops the headphone jack replaces the speakers.⁸
• MusicBrainz lookup and live broadcasting send data off the computer when you turn them on.⁴

Is Mixxx safe and private?

Mixxx is a community project. The homepage says there is no company behind it.¹ The privacy policy calls it a non-profit project managed by volunteers, with donations as its only revenue. That page was last updated on 8 July 2023.⁴ The source is under the GPL, version 2 or later.² The download page points to the LICENSE file on GitHub.²

The policy says the app does not require an account, does not collect user data in ordinary use, and does not use telemetry.⁴ A MusicBrainz lookup sends the AcoustID, artist, title and album.⁴ Broadcasting sends the live audio and track metadata to a third-party server. Mixxx does not offer that service.⁴ Mixxx does not collect crash reports and has no updater of its own. A platform may handle crashes, and those reports are not stored on Mixxx servers.⁴ The file mixxx.log can hold personal details.⁴

The 2.5 manual says the settings directory holds all user data: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Mixxx on Windows, ~/.mixxx/ for Linux packages and source builds, and, labeled for Mixxx 2.3 on macOS, ~/Library/Containers/org.mixxx.mixxx/Data/Library/Application Support/Mixxx.⁶ mixxxdb.sqlite stores locations, metadata, cues, loops, colors, playlists and crates.⁶ Audio files stay as they are unless you enable Track Metadata Synchronisation.⁷ For tags across a whole collection, use MusicBrainz Picard, and use MusicBrainz inside Mixxx only when you want that lookup.

How to get started with Mixxx

1. Download stable 2.5.6 from mixxx.org/download. That is the live-use build. Windows needs Windows 10 build 1809 or later, and Mac needs macOS 11 or later. Leave the 2.6 beta for testing.²
2. Install that file. On Windows, run the installer. On a Mac, open the .dmg and drag Mixxx to Applications. On Linux, follow the download page.⁵ The Ubuntu Software Centre copy is described as usually out of date, and Flathub is marked currently unmaintained.² You can install over an older Mixxx. Copy the settings folder first.⁵⁶
3. Choose your music folder. The first launch asks where the music is stored. Choose that folder and Mixxx scans it. Rescan Library picks up files you add later.⁵
4. Analyse before you perform. The first load runs beatgrid, key and ReplayGain detection.⁵ ReplayGain tags even out loudness.³ That work can make the audio skip, so use the Analyze view first.⁵
5. Set the outputs, then load two songs. In Sound Hardware, set Main for the speakers and Headphones for cueing. You do not have to set every input and output.⁵ Most laptop headphone jacks are one stereo output, not a separate cue feed.⁸ Drag a track onto a waveform, then load another track.⁷
6. Record only if you want a file. WAV, FLAC and Ogg Vorbis are built in. MP3 needs LAME. The recording is archived in the library.³

Who should use Mixxx (and who might prefer something else)

Mixxx fits people who already have music files and want to mix them on a computer, with the library stored locally and no account required.⁴⁶ Timecode vinyl is included, and the features page describes Mixxx as the only free software of that kind on Windows, macOS and Linux.³

To write beats and songs, rather than mix recordings you already own, use LMMS. To play the same files in other rooms from a server you run, use Navidrome.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mixxx free?

Yes. You do not need to pay, there is no paid or “pro” version, and the download is the full version.² It is free as in freedom and price, under the GPL, version 2 or later.¹²

Does Mixxx work on iPhone?

No phone app is listed. Mixxx is offered for Windows, macOS and Linux, and the stable Mac build needs macOS 11 or later.²

Does Mixxx need the internet?

No, for files already on the computer. The first launch scans a folder you choose, and settings stay on that computer.⁵⁶ A MusicBrainz lookup, Find on web, or a live broadcast uses the network, and a MusicBrainz fetch can fail offline.⁴⁷

Is Mixxx safe to use with my own music?

The privacy policy says ordinary use does not collect user data and does not use telemetry.⁴ Audio files stay unchanged unless you turn on Track Metadata Synchronisation, and recordings go into the Mixxx library.⁷³ Install from the official download page, and keep the 2.6 beta for testing.²

Sources

1. Mixxx: Home
2. Mixxx: Download
3. Mixxx: Features
4. Mixxx: Privacy policy
5. Mixxx User Manual 2.5: Getting Started
6. Mixxx User Manual 2.5: The Mixxx Settings Directory
7. Mixxx User Manual 2.5: The Mixxx Library
8. Mixxx User Manual 2.5: DJ Hardware