Quick answer: Buy the Stream Deck MK.2 if you mostly want more one-press shortcuts, since it gives you 15 keys. Buy the Stream Deck + if you need to adjust things by degree rather than switch them on and off, because its four rotary dials handle volume, scrubbing and lighting in a way buttons cannot.
These are the two Stream Decks most people end up choosing between, and the decision is not about which is newer or more capable in general. It is about whether your workflow is made of switches or of sliders. We compared both using their published specifications.
Specs that actually matter
| Stream Deck MK.2 | Stream Deck + | |
|---|---|---|
| LCD keys | 15 | 8 |
| Rotary dials | None | 4 multifunction dials |
| Touchscreen strip | No | Yes |
| Interchangeable faceplate | Yes | No |
| Connection | USB-C, wired | USB-C, wired |
| Best for | Scene and shortcut switching | Analogue control and mixing |
| Price | Check current price | Check current price |
Switches versus degrees
A button is a switch: mute, cut to scene three, start the recording. A dial is a degree: a bit more music, a bit less mic, nudge the timeline two frames. If you list what you actually reach for during a session and most items are on or off, the MK.2 wins simply by giving you nearly twice the keys. If your list is full of “a bit more” and “a bit less”, the Stream Deck + will save you far more time than seven extra buttons would.
Check Stream Deck + on Amazon →
Where the extra keys matter more than dials
Live streamers tend to be switch-heavy. Scene changes, overlays, alerts, clip triggers, chat commands and mute are all binary, and running out of keys means burying things in folders, which costs a press every time. The MK.2’s 15 keys keep a realistic streaming layout on one page. It also takes interchangeable faceplates, which the Stream Deck + does not, and which is a small but genuine perk if you care how your desk looks.
Where the dials pay for themselves
Editors and anyone mixing audio are the clearest case for the Stream Deck +. Scrubbing a timeline, riding a level between a voice track and music, adjusting key light brightness or colour temperature: these are all continuous adjustments that a button can only approximate by stepping. The touchscreen strip above the dials shows what each one currently controls, which matters because four dials with context switching cover a lot more than four fixed functions.
Check Stream Deck MK.2 on Amazon →
What to watch out for
- Eight keys goes quickly. If you buy the Stream Deck + expecting to replace a full streaming layout as well as gain dials, you will be building folders sooner than you expect.
- Both are wired USB-C devices that occupy a port and desk space. Neither is a travel accessory.
- The software is the product. Most of the value in either unit comes from how much time you spend configuring profiles per application. If you will not do that setup work, neither device will change much.
Who should buy which
- Buy the Stream Deck MK.2 if: you stream or you mainly trigger fixed actions, you want the most one-press shortcuts for the money, and you like the interchangeable faceplates.
- Buy the Stream Deck + if: you edit video, mix audio or control lighting, and you keep reaching for a mouse to make small continuous adjustments.
Our pick: match the hardware to your verbs
There is no overall winner here, which is unusual. Write down the ten things you do most in a session. If seven or more are on-off actions, buy the MK.2 and enjoy the extra keys. If four or more involve adjusting an amount, buy the Stream Deck +, because no number of buttons replaces a dial. Buying the wrong one is the common mistake, and it is usually caused by picking on price rather than on what your hands actually do.
Check Stream Deck + on Amazon →
Frequently asked questions
Is the Stream Deck + better than the MK.2?
Not universally. The Stream Deck + adds four dials and a touchscreen but drops from 15 keys to 8. It is better for editing and mixing, worse for layouts that need many shortcuts on one page.
Can I use both together?
Yes. The software supports multiple devices, and running an MK.2 for scene switching alongside a Stream Deck + for levels is a common setup once a single unit runs out of room.
Do the dials work in video editors?
Yes, that is one of their main uses. They map to continuous controls like timeline scrubbing and audio levels in the major editors, and the touchscreen shows what each dial is currently assigned to.
Building a full kit? See our guide to choosing a Stream Deck. Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission on qualifying purchases through the links above; picks are based on compiled specifications and independent research, never paid placement.
