Beatport is the world’s biggest online store for electronic dance music, where DJs buy and stream tracks for their sets. Launched in 2004, it covers every electronic genre from house and techno to drum & bass, sells DRM-free MP3s with lossless WAV and AIFF upgrades, and offers DJ streaming plans that plug straight into DJ software. For house music DJs, it sits alongside specialist stores like Traxsource.
Beatport at a glance
- What it is: an online download store and streaming service for DJs
- Launched: 2004
- Owner: its parent group, which also owns Plugin Boutique and LabelRadar
- Genres: all electronic music, including house, tech house, techno, trance and drum & bass
- Formats: MP3 as standard, with WAV and AIFF upgrades; FLAC on top streaming plans
- Streaming: DJ streaming plans, including Advanced and Professional tiers
- Website: beatport.com
A short history
It launched in 2004 with 79 electronic music labels. By 2005 it offered more than 100,000 tracks from 2,700 labels, and it grew into the default download store for club DJs. In 2013 it was bought by SFX Entertainment, later renamed LiveStyle, and over the following years it added streaming, DJ software integrations and a mobile app.
The wider group has continued to expand, acquiring LabelRadar in 2022 and a majority stake in the International Music Summit (IMS) in Ibiza in 2023. In 2026 it began merging its open-format sister store Beatsource into the main store, creating one platform for DJs of every genre.
How to buy music on Beatport
- Create a free account at beatport.com.
- Browse by genre, label, artist or chart, or search for a track.
- Preview tracks before you buy.
- Add tracks to your cart, choosing MP3 or upgrading to WAV or AIFF.
- Check out by card or PayPal and download, with unlimited re-downloads from your library.
Beatport Streaming for DJs
As well as downloads, it offers streaming plans designed for DJs. Subscribers can stream tracks directly into supported DJ software and hardware, build playlists and save tracks offline for gigs. Since October 2024, the top Professional tier has included lossless FLAC streaming.
The streaming service works with most major DJ platforms, including Serato, rekordbox, Traktor, VirtualDJ and Denon DJ, though it’s worth checking the latest compatibility for your setup. Many DJs use streaming to dig and test tracks, then buy the ones they play most so they’re always available offline.
The Beatport charts
Its genre charts are some of the most watched in dance music. A No.1 there can break an artist, and labels use the charts to measure a release’s success. For example, Nervous Records has scored Beatport No.1s with Mau P, Loofy and Vinter. DJs also publish their own charts to share what they’re playing.
Beatport vs Traxsource: which is better for house music?
If Beatport is the supermarket of dance music, Traxsource is the specialist record shop. It covers the full range of electronic music and has the biggest audience, the most-watched charts and strong streaming tools. Traxsource puts house music first, with deeper coverage of soulful, deep and vocal house and a more curated feel.
- Choose Beatport for: breadth across genres, tech house and techno, streaming into DJ software, and chart visibility.
- Choose Traxsource for: soulful, deep and vocal house, exclusives from house labels, and curated DJ charts.
Many working house DJs use both.
Tips for DJs buying music online
- Buy lossless for the club: WAV or AIFF gives full quality on big systems; AIFF keeps tags and artwork.
- Use charts as a starting point: genre charts and DJ charts show what’s working on dancefloors right now.
- Follow labels and artists: so new releases appear in your feed as soon as they land.
- Back up your library: keep your purchases on two USBs, even if you stream.
Looking for more gigs to play those tracks at? Read our guide to DJ jobs in the UK.
Frequently asked questions about Beatport
What is Beatport?
Beatport is an online store and streaming service for electronic dance music, used by DJs to buy and stream tracks for their sets. It launched in 2004.
What file formats does Beatport sell?
It sells DRM-free MP3 files as standard, with lossless WAV and AIFF available as upgrades. Its top streaming plan also includes lossless FLAC.
Does Beatport have a streaming service?
Yes. Its streaming service lets DJs stream tracks straight into supported DJ software and hardware, with offline storage for gigs.
Is Beatport or Traxsource better for house music?
Beatport has the widest range of electronic music, while Traxsource specialises in house music, especially soulful, deep and vocal house. Many house DJs use both.
Who owns Beatport?
Beatport is part of a group that also owns Plugin Boutique and LabelRadar.
What happened to Beatsource?
From March 2026, Beatsource, its open-format sister store, began merging into the main platform, with users’ accounts, playlists and plans moving across.
Read more on Wikipedia.
Keep listening
Steve Bell plays soulful, deep and vocal house across the UK, Ibiza and beyond. Catch his monthly DancersHip show and live sets, or see the media pack to book Steve for your event.
