Since being crowned our top DJ application of 2011, Traktor Pro has only undergone a couple of ‘point’ updates, rather than a full new version.

But when Traktor Pro 2.5 landed in May it brought with it the excellent new Remix Decks - allowing DJs to easily throw anything up to 64 loops and one-shot samples into their mixes. It’s this feature in particular that has kept Traktor at the top of the game in 2012.

An honourable mention however, goes to Serato DJ - Serato’s redesigned (and now MIDI mapable) controller-focused software - which features excellent sounding effects and an improved sample deck. At the entry-level end of the market too, Magix’s Digital DJ2 impressed us with its bare bones budget efficiency.

Full review: Traktor Pro 2 (previous version)

Also in the running:

Magix Digital DJ2
Serato DJ