Overview

Kanto handles MP3, MP3+CDG, WAV+CDG, KFN, MP4, AVI, WMV, KAR and MIDI files. That range makes it a flexible player for a mixed local collection, rather than a narrow-format karaoke appliance. Live Performance shows the current song and those coming next, and supports drag-and-drop queueing. Hosts can keep the computer at the controls while singers see lyrics on a second monitor or TV through Dual Display.

The distinction between personal and professional licensing matters more than the feature set alone: the Standard license is explicitly personal-use only, while the Professional version permits professional use and adds a singer rotation list. Teams choosing a setup for events should treat that as a licensing requirement, not an optional upgrade.

Key features

Queue and display

Live Performance provides a clear view of what is playing and what is next, while drag-and-drop queueing keeps lineup changes direct. Dual Display separates lyric viewing from song management by opening a second window on another monitor or TV. This arrangement suits a home karaoke room or a host-operated station; it is less compelling if the setup does not have a second screen or does not need live queue management.

Recording and vocal controls

Kanto records microphone vocals over a song and lets users adjust microphone and music volume, latency, echo and reverb. Those controls make the software useful for singers who want to shape and capture a performance, not just play backing tracks. The free editions cap recording at one minute, so they are suitable for checking the workflow, not keeping full-length recordings.

MIDI tools and online playback

The software can convert MIDI or KAR files to MP3, with an option to remove the melody track, and accepts imported SoundFont files for MIDI playback. It also supports choosing an external MIDI driver or device for output. A built-in browser can play online karaoke songs such as YouTube videos. These options give MIDI-oriented users more control over playback and conversion, although the free editions also limit MIDI-to-MP3 conversion to one minute.

Pricing

Kanto has free editions and one-time paid licenses. The paid licenses last three years, with updates and priority support guaranteed during that period; the stated price is a one-time payment, not a monthly subscription. The 7-day money-back guarantee is subject to conditions, and service and transaction fees of 10% are non-refundable.

Plan	Price	What it includes and who it suits
Free Version for Windows	Free	Playlists of up to 5 songs, recording up to 1 minute and MIDI-to-MP3 conversion up to 1 minute. No professional use. A limited way to evaluate the Windows workflow, but too constrained for a full session.
Free Version for Mac	Free	Playlists of up to 5 songs, recording up to 1 minute and MIDI-to-MP3 conversion up to 1 minute. The same practical demo limits apply; no professional-use restriction is stated for this plan.
Standard Version (Personal)	49.00 USD per once	Unlimited playlist songs on 1 PC, with a 3-year license. This is the lowest-cost paid choice for personal use, but it cannot be used professionally.
Full Version Professional for Mac	59.99 USD per once	One Mac, unlimited playlists, recording and MIDI-to-MP3 conversion, plus free updates for 3 years. It suits Mac users who need the full toolset; the stated plan details do not include a singer rotation list.
Professional Version	69.95 USD per once	Unlimited playlist songs on 3 Windows PCs, professional use, a singer rotation list and a 3-year license. This is the clearest fit for Windows hosts running events across multiple PCs.

The free plans’ five-song queue and one-minute output limits make them poor substitutes for a paid setup. Standard removes the playlist cap at the lowest price but keeps use personal and covers one PC. Windows professionals get three PCs and the rotation list with Professional; Mac buyers have a separate professional-named Full Version, but should weigh its one-Mac scope and the features explicitly included in that plan.

Platforms

Kanto is desktop software for Windows and macOS. The licenses are platform-specific in the plan names and device counts: Standard covers one PC, Full Version Professional covers one Mac, and Professional Version covers three Windows PCs. A buyer should match the license to the machines that will run playback rather than assume one purchase covers both platforms.

Who it's for

Kanto is a strong fit for home singers and small karaoke operators who need broad file compatibility, a managed queue, microphone recording and a separate lyric screen. Windows event hosts have a particularly clear path in the Professional license, which expressly permits professional use and includes a singer rotation list. Mac users who need unlimited playlists, recording and MIDI conversion can consider the Mac Full Version. It is not the right choice for a professional Windows setup on the Standard license, or for users who need an uncapped free edition.

The maker provides contact support for software questions, bug reports and comments, and directs users to its FAQ. Its terms also place responsibility for protection against software-download risks, including viruses and data loss, and for backups on the user.

Pros and cons

Pros: Support for audio, video, CDG, KFN and MIDI/KAR formats accommodates varied karaoke libraries.
Pros: Live queueing and a second-screen lyrics window let an operator manage playback without using the singer-facing display.
Pros: Recording, vocal effects and MIDI conversion add practical tools for performers beyond track playback.
Cons: The free editions cap queues at five songs and recording and conversion at one minute, limiting them to evaluation.
Cons: Standard is personal-use only, so professional Windows use requires the higher-priced Professional license.
Cons: Paid licenses are limited to three years, and device coverage differs by plan and platform.

Alternatives

Karaoke Software is the broader category to compare if Kanto’s platform-specific licensing or workflow does not match the setup.

Choose Karaoke Mugen instead if free, MIT-licensed software and Linux support matter more than Kanto’s paid licensing structure. KaraFun is an alternative for teams that need Android, iOS or web access alongside desktop platforms; its free plan offers free songs and Premium previews, while Premium is 7.99 GBP per month. OpenKJ is another free and open-source karaoke hosting option, with support across mobile, desktop and web platforms.

Smule is worth considering for mobile users who want to join existing duets at no cost, rather than run Kanto’s desktop queue. TKaraoke is an alternative if its Android, iOS or Windows platform coverage better fits the devices in use. UltraStar Deluxe offers a completely free PC karaoke game for Windows, Linux and macOS, making it a different fit for users seeking a game-oriented option. Singa is an option for users who prefer mobile or web access and a private-use subscription. StarMaker is another mobile and web freemium alternative.

Verdict

Choose Kanto if you need a desktop karaoke station that combines mixed-format playback, queue control, vocal recording and a separate lyrics display. Windows professionals should choose the Professional license for its explicit professional-use terms, three-PC coverage and singer rotation list; personal users can spend less on Standard if one PC and non-professional use are enough. Look elsewhere if you need broader device coverage, an uncapped free option or a license that does not expire after three years.

	Encore Karaoke	Kanto Karaoke Player&Recorder
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	Free	Free
Platforms	Android, Linux, macOS, Windows	macOS, Windows
Vocal controls	Yes	Yes
Track creation	Yes	Yes
Performance recording	Yes	Yes
Free plan		Yes
Supported platforms		desktop
Lyrics display modes		dual-screen

Encore Karaoke vs Kanto Karaoke Player&Recorder

Encore Karaoke

Kanto Karaoke Player&Recorder