The idea behind karaoke – a complete song minus the vocal track – has existed in one form or another since the dawn of recorded music. Yet, it wasn’t until the 1970s that karaoke as we know it – scrolling lyrics, microphones, and drunken renditions of Journey songs – became a form of popular entertainment. These early karaoke machines were large and expensive, with tons of song licensing issues. Nevertheless, within a few years, the karaoke machine would go on to be a staple of bar and club entertainment everywhere.
If you want to sing your favorite track, and you do not want to leave home, you can use some applications for Mac OS to organize karaoke shows, without leaving home. Karaoke for Mac. MidiCo professional karaoke software for Apple macOS allows you to host and manage a professional karaoke show. It supports all standard karaoke file types as well as HD video formats. You can also create your own karaoke files in standard midi, mp3 or mdc. You can rip or create CD+G and you can export videos starting from any.
The karaoke machine of today, however, is a very different beast from the karaoke machine of the 80s. The only thing you really need today is a microphone, a computer, and of course, a competent karaoke software. So assuming you only have the first two, let’s take a look at your options for a quality karaoke software.
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Karaoke Software for Windows
Windows users are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a karaoke software. Some of the options are:
1. KaraFun
KaraFun is easily the most popular “free” karaoke service around. It’s simple and lightweight with an iTunes-like interface which makes it incredibly easy to use. You only need to load up your songs, connect your microphone, hit ‘play’ and start belting out your best version of “Wrecking Ball”.
The best part about the software is the KaraFun library, which boasts 17,000 karaoke tracks. Think of it as an iTunes for karaoke – you can select any song and it synchronizes immediately with your local computer. KaraFun offers party passes to the library at $5.99 for 48-hours as well as monthly subscriptions starting at $9.99/month.
KaraFun also offers an online-only web player and a mobile app for karaoke on the go. These offer the same benefits (online sync, KaraFun library, etc.) minus a few desktop-only features.
Pros:
Wide range of features – pitch change, live recording, mic effects, tempo change, etc.
Access to KaraFun library with 17,000 karaoke-only tracks.
Easy to use.
Web and mobile apps.
Cons:
Library missing some old popular songs.
Party passes to library are slightly expensive at $5.99
Price: Free to download; library passes start at $5.99
Website:KaraFun.com
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2. Siglos Karaoke Professional
Siglos Karaoke Pro is what you should get if you want something robust and professional, and if you don’t really care so much about ease of use and simplicity. Unlike KaraFun, which is designed for casual play, Siglos is meant for more ‘heavy duty’ usage in actual clubs and bars. It has features such as ‘singer rotation management’ to keep track of singers, ‘singer announcement’ to announce the current singer’s name, and even space to add a promo message – features that are indispensable to a club promoter.
Of course, all these features come at a price – the software retails for $99USD. This doesn’t include any songs – you’ll have to purchase them separately. However, you can play songs directly off YouTube, so for small parties, you might not have to shell out hundreds of dollars for additional tracks.
Verdict: Get it if you run a club or a bar and want a solid, no-nonsense karaoke software. Casual users will be better served with something like KaraFun.
Pros:
Tons of features, including tempo change, singer management.
Designed for use in clubs and bars.
Comprehensive database for managing songs.
Cons:
Clunky interface; not easy to use.
No access to online library.
No web/mobile version.
Costly.
Price: $99
Website:PowerKaraoke.com
3. PCDJ Karaoki
PCDJ Karaoki combines the best of two worlds – a robust set of professional features, and a UI that’s (relatively) easy to use. It packs in everything you’d expect in a club-grade karaoke software, including support for multiple file formats, singer rotation, singer display, lyrics output to secondary screen and a very intuitive song library. Its UI is significantly better than most of the competition (most notably, Siglos Karaoke Pro), though it’s not as good as KaraFun.
Recently, Karaoki launched a cloud-based, always-online song library called KaraokeCloudPro. It works just like KaraFun and gives you quick access to over 13,000 tracks. Unfortunately, since Karaoki is aimed at professional users, it sells only yearly licenses at $99/month.
The Verdict: Get PCDJ Karaoki if you want the features of Siglos and the usability of KaraFun, plus access to a huge cloud-based karaoke song library.
Pros:
Feature rich, professional grade karaoke software.
Better UI than Siglos and other competing software.
Cloud-based library with 13,000 tracks.
Cons:
Expensive.
UI can take some time getting used to. Default skin is a little dull.
Price: $99 for desktop version, $99/month for KaraokeCloudPro
Website:PCDJ.com
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Karaoke Software for Mac OSX
1. kJams
kJams borrows heavily from iTunes, so anybody who’s ever used Apple’s music management software (which would include practically everybody) will feel right at home here. The UI is strikingly similar to iTunes, right up to the large play/stop buttons and the now-playing window at the top. It works like iTunes as well – you simply add your karaoke tracks to the library and hit play.
kJams comes in a ‘lite’ version and a pro version. The lite version has just about the most basic features – playing different music formats, managing playlists, adjusting pitch, tempo, etc. The pro version is where things get interesting – you get a powerful singer management tool, a second window to output lyrics, as well as a native iPhone app. kJams also has a built-in music store where you can buy any song with a single click (just like the iTunes store).
The Verdict: You can’t go wrong with KJams for Mac. It’s dead simple to use for home parties, powerful enough for professional parties.
Pros:
Easy to use, familiar iTunes UI.
Lite version is free to use.
Supports AppleRemote control.
Built-in music store with 1-click streaming/shopping.
Cons:
No free version.
Buying individual tracks off the music store can be expensive.
Price: $40 for kJams Lite, $110 for kJams Pro.
Website:kJams.com
2. iStar
iStar is a free alternative to kJams. It’s neither as pretty as KaraFun, nor as user-friendly as kJams, but it’s free and works well enough to be a passable alternative for casual users. It works the same way as most karaoke software – load up your tracks, plug in your mic, and belt away your favorite songs. It supports most popular file formats, including KAR, AIFF, MP3, etc. and can also import songs from a CD. You get a basic song management and a simple lyrics display screen, but if you want more pro features – singer rotation, secondary output, etc. – you’ll have to shell out for kJams.
The Verdict: A free alternative to kJams. Simple feature set and easy to use UI makes it a solid choice for casual users.
Pros:
Free.
Works with a large number of file formats.
Cons:
Some tracks have audio-lyrics sync problems.
Lacks professional features such as singer management.
Price: Free
Website:Plumamazing.com
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If you are someone who loves singing and dream to be like your inspiration someday, karaoke is one great way to nurture your passion. A Karaoke software is designed in a manner that you do not have to look for lyrics separately online or on your smartphone. All you need to do is to download the software, play your favourite number, and sing along.
Read More: – 13 Best Software for Making Music on Windows PC
The Karaoke concept was launched in the 1970s when it was just a huge equipment. But, gradually it started getting common in bars and pubs as the primary source of entertainment. Since then, it went through a huge metamorphosis and today all you need is a laptop or smartphone to run the karaoke as an app or a software. So, for all those looking for the best karaoke software online, here’s a list that will give you a heads up.
Best Karaoke App Pc
PC DJ Karaoki
If you are looking for that ultimate Karaoke software that can spruce up a party at your home, then PC DJ Karaoki is the right choice for you. It helps you to add karaoke songs, edit the play options, and consecutively arrange a karaoke night.
While there are umpteen regular features like the history, screen display, singer rotation, or key control, you also have access to advanced features like configuring colour options, drag and drop loading, cloud integration, lock screen, and so on.
It’s a simple software with intuitive features that are easy to use. You can also use it’s second monitor to view the lyrics while simultaneously using the main monitor to keep editing the playlist.
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Price: Free version available; Upgrade available at $99
Get it Here: https://www.pcdj.com/karaoke-software/
KaraFun Player
Especially designed for Windows PC, KaraFun Player is one of the most user-friendly software in the category that makes it so popular. Best of all, it’s free! While it offers a cool collection of 28000 songs saved in the cloud storage, it also boasts of a highly intuitive interface. The huge collection includes karaoke of studio quality, option to save to the favourite list, history of the songs already played, and so on.
What’s more? It also comes with an option to sync offline so that you can enjoy even in the absence of internet connection. What we especially like is the dual display screen along with customizable keys that help you to shift the screen to an external monitor. Bonus – you can save the songs in a wide range of formats for instance, CD+G, MID, MPEG, or KAR.
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Price: Free version available; Upgrade priced at $9.99
Get it Here: https://www.karafun.com/karaokeplayer/
Kanto Karaoke
Kanto Karaoke is known to support nearly all video and multimedia formats available in the current times including all major formats like KAR, MP3 and more. Designed especially for Windows PC, it’s one of the best karaoke software around. The best part is, it comes with a host of features. Moreover, it also allows you to record your voice as you sing, and even lets you record your own performance.
The software also offers microphone settings with superior quality audio input/output that converts your system into a professional karaoke arrangement. Additionally, you can also see the lyrics of your favourite song in full screen mode, or switch it to live performance mode with endless scores for a complete musical experience.
Among some of its great features are option to create unlimited playlists, audio settings that helps you to change the pitch and the tempo of the song, high-quality playback, and fade out effect. What’s more? You can also create a list of singers for the ones lined up for singing, enable the background score, and also the clapping or jeer effects offering a live performance like feeling like in real.
Systems Requirement: Windows and Mac
Price: Free version available; Upgrade starts at $45
Get it Here: http://www.kantokaraoke.com/
One Karaoke
Designed especially for Windows PC, One Karaoke is easy to use. It can run almost any format of file with features like support for major file formats for instance, AVI, WMA, MP3, WMV, and more.
What’s interesting is, it can also be used with wired or wireless hardware for example, mice and keyboards so that it can work in both ways. Once downloaded from the Microsoft store, you can access the songs and lyrics from its collections, MP3 music, option to share your video with the karaoke lyrics that comes with the app, and more. All this is possible due to the karaoke social network with song lyrics.
What we especially like is the high-quality MP3 audio that comes equipped with supported tracks and lyrics. It also allows you to make videos of your performance to build a follower base, or simply watch videos made by others.
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Price: Free
Get it Here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/karaoke-one/9nblggh529wb?activetab=pivot%3Aoverviewtab
Siglos Karaoke Professional
Powered by Power Karaoke, the website offers a complete range of karaoke software. It’s a professional karaoke system especially designed for Windows. It’s easy to operate, comes equipped with dual screen display, and quick song look up helping you not wait for long.
Siglos offers a wide range of features that includes PC scan for karaoke songs, option to create your own playlists, option to change the tempo, and so on. Moreover, it supports major formats such as, MIDI, MP3G, BIN, etc, and even different video formats. Features singer rotation, pitch and tempo control, preview pane, history and lyrics look beautiful on the display. The software is best for club or commercial use.
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Karaoke Tube App
Price: $100
Get it Here: https://www.powerkaraoke.com/src/prod_siglos-karaoke-professional.php
iStar
Designed for Mac, iStar is perfect for those looking for a night of fun. It’s known to convert almost any type of file and run them for you. You will not just be able to import music to the player and make playlists based on your choice, but you can also classify your compilation.
Bonus – it supports a wide variety of multimedia files allowing you to import from various sources without any limitations. We especially like the easy to use interface that allows smooth operation with some beautiful features for the karaoke freaks.
Systems Requirement: Mac only
Price: Free trial available; Upgrade available for $50
Get it Here: https://istar-karaoke.en.softonic.com/mac
Just Karaoke 2
Just Karaoke 2 is a digital karaoke software that’s super simple and comes with easy to use interface where you can have your ultimate sing-along experience. It offers you to compile your favourite songs in a playlist, lets you view the history of the singer, allows auto rotation of songs, and so on along with other great features.
Moreover, it comes equipped with a dual screen display, singer announcement, song manager, quick song search option, sound effects, and much more. Bonus – a list of over 7000 songs to choose from.
Systems Requirement: Windows and Mac
Price: Free trail available; Upgrade available at $49.95
Get it Here: https://justkaraoke.soft32.com/
CDG plug-in for Winamp
CDG is designed for Windows users and is Winamp plug-in. With this app you can play songs from your PC in karaoke format. Given that Winamp is a popular music player and using this plug-in you can enjoy the karaoke experience without any added software to be installed, this works great for the karaoke lovers.
The best part is, it’s absolutely free! It may be an older version, but it can be great for some users.
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Price: Free
Get it Here: https://winampheritage.com/plugin/cdg-plug-in/100775
Aria
Aria offers you the real karaoke experience for the hardcore users. You can expect one of the most real karaoke experiences on your Mac device. It comes with an extremely easy to use interface which goes the same for a Windows PC. You can play your favorite songs at any given time and even create a playlist to be played later.
What’s interesting is, that you can select from the different Aria play modes for an enhanced experience.
Systems Requirement: Windows and Mac
Price: Free for Windows;
14 days free trial available for Mac; upgrade priced at $29.95
Get it Here:
For Mac – https://download.cnet.com/ARIA/3000-18503_4-75185960.html
For Windows – https://download.cnet.com/ARIA-Karaoke-PRO/3000-18503_4-75446083.html
Walaoke
Walaoke is available to download for Windows PC and does not cost a dime. Among its features include one click play for songs, support for primary file formats, display of lyrics, option to save numbers and channels, option to play DVD or VCD, and so on.
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Price: Free
Get it Here: http://www.walaoke.com/
Advanced Karaoke Player
Those who store their music in various different formats and then find it a hassle to look for your favourite track, the Advanced Karaoke Player is your answer. This software allows you to save all your favorite numbers on one single platform making it easier to find your track at one go later.
The application allows you to have a great singing experience whenever you wish to. The best part is, it manages all types of major media file formats so that you can simply relax and have complete fun with the tracks.
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Price: Free trial available; Upgrade available at $39.95
Get it Here: http://www.soft-music.net/
QMIDI V2.0
QMIDI V2.0 is a perfect karaoke software for the Mac users as it plays a wide variety of files. Apart from the fun with the karaoke, it also allows you to edit different texts and chords of the tracks that you have added in it. What’s more? It also allows you to sync your compilation of your favorite songs while you can play them in a sequential pattern.
Bonus – it comes with a sound mixer and the option to format your lyrics.
Systems Requirement: Mac only
Price: EUR 14.99
Get it Here: http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/QMidi/
OkeOke
Developed for Windows versions, OkeOke.net is an open source software that is also available for free. Among its primary features are storage of data in a local drive, song lookup, keyword search, remote control access for choice of songs, and major file format support.
Additionally, you can also save the songs on your external hard disk and even record your own songs. Bonus – you can even share them on different social media platforms online.
Karaoke Maker App For Mac
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Price: Free
Get it Here: http://www.okeoke.net/en/
Karaoke Player
As simple as the name sounds, it’s equally a simple software for your Windows PC that gets transformed into a karaoke system in no time. Although the interface is not that attractive, but it’s super smooth to use and the application is indeed fun. While we do not much like its design and is more of plain, still, once you sign in, it offers you lot of fun with music.
It allows you to control the karaoke with just a few keys. Based on the source from where the track is downloaded, the sound is pretty clear and offers a good experience as you sing along.
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Price: Free
Get it Here: https://download.cnet.com/Karaoke-Player/3000-18503_4-10916050.html
KJams
Those looking for a karaoke software for their Mac machines, KJams makes for a good choice. What’s interesting is, it lot resembles the iTunes. With the help of his software you can download your favorite tracks and sing along in karaoke format.
Moreover, it also allows you to send over your songs to your other iOS devices like the iPhone or the iPod where it can be played in any format.
Systems Requirement: Mac only
Price: $70
Get it Here: https://en.softonic.com/s/kjams:mac?redirectedFrom=app
Karaoke 5
Karaoke 5 is designed for Windows and is perfect for both advanced and first-time users. Among its features are support for major audio and video formats, option to broadcast for live shows and performances, dual screen display, and mix control.
Systems Requirement: Windows only
Price: Free versions available; upgrade starts at $33
Get it Here: https://www.karaoke5.com/
TunePrompter
TunePrompter for Mac takes you a step ahead by allowing you to create your ow karaoke tunes of your favorite songs. It comes with an easy to use interface that lets you to create and upload all your karaoke videos to your iPhone, iPod, and Apple TV, or burn them into a CD easily.
Bonus – one of its cool features is auto search for lyrics that saves a lot of your tie.
Systems Requirement: Windows and Mac
Price: Free
Get it Here: https://tuneprompter.en.softonic.com/
Whether you are using a Mac or a Windows system, you have a plethora of choices for your karaoke experience. So, just download from the above list and sing your heart out.
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares