Recommended Audio Streaming Software for Your Radio Station

The following is a list of DJ Automation/Encoder software that RadioFX recommends. All of which are compatible with both SHOUTcast and Icecast platforms (the ideal platform to use when choosing a streaming provider).

Free Encoders

(Scroll down for paid encoders.)

RadioDJ

Completely free for Windows. Please note it involves a bit of configuration and installation of 3rd party plugins to get it to stream to your SHOUTcast/Icecast server. Instructions on how to install can be found here: https://help.radio.co/live-broadcasting/windows-pc-software/radiodj

Winamp

With the Nullsoft SHOUTcast Source plugin – free. Recommended if you are new to Internet radio streaming. Runs on Windows. http://www.winamp.com/

MB Recaster

Windows freeware. Good replacement for Winamp, Edcast. http://www.mbradio.it/en/mb-recaster/mb-recaster-free

Sound Empire Caster

The original standalone encoder. Runs on Windows. It’s not supported. Use at your own risk! http://www.mediafire.com/file/zo2577g2x45fs6b/edcast.zip

Designed and built for nonprofit Low Power FM Radio stations. Runs on Windows. http://lpfmstore.com/free-radio-station-automation-software/

For live broadcasting music. Includes various modules (Jingles, Calendar, Playlists, Events etc.). Runs on Windows. http://www.lunarcaster.com/

Free multi OS streaming tool. This is the best tool to use if you are using external equipment such as (DJ controllers, CD players, Mixers, etc.)  It will stream and record from your MIC or LINE Input. It supports SHOUTcast and Icecast and runs on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. It is NOT intended to be a server by itself or automatically stream a playlist of audio files. So you will still need an audio source. http://danielnoethen.de/                  

Free for Linux. http://idjc.sourceforge.net/tour_main.html

Free for Windows. Requires Internet Broadcast plugin (e.g. AltaCast) to stream to SHOUTcast/Icecast servers.

Free for Windows. Requires 3rd party encoder plugins to stream to your SHOUTcast/Icecast server

A FREE World class mixing engine with Auto DJ for Windows, macOS, and Linux. https://www.mixxx.org/

Paid Encoders

Sam Broadcaster is a  radio automation software developed specifically for radio stations. It has a quality streaming DSP encoder that will allow you to connect to SHOUTcast v1/v2 or Icecast. This software can organize large music libraries quickly into multiple categories, import information from tags and automatically look up track information via Amazon.com.

The built in audio features like cross-fade detection, gap killer, volume normalization and 5-band compressor and limiter will make your radio station sound professional.

Requires a certain learning curve. Steep price in comparison to some free alternatives. 

Costs $299. Runs on Windows. http://spacial.com/sam-broadcaster

$199. All in one solution for live streaming.  Runs on Windows. https://spacial.com/sam-cast/

Free / $49 Pro.  Our recommended encoder. Rocket captures audio from other applications, including Skype, Spotify, and your automation software, so you can seamlessly mix live interviews with music. https://www.rocketbroadcaster.com/

StationPlaylist Studio

Pro $239. Music and spot scheduling software. It is used to design your station format using rotations of music categories and spot groups (jingles, ads, etc). http://www.stationplaylist.com/creator.html

$299 for Commercial use. Free for non-commercial use. For commercial use, you will need to buy a commercial license. Runs on Windows and Mac OS X. https://www.virtualdj.com/buy/index.html

$99 standard / $199 Pro. Runs on Windows. http://www.nextkast.com/

Megaseg

RadioBOSS

RadioCaster