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Quod Libet
What it is
Quod Libet is a free, GTK+-based audio player written in Python for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports network playback and a wide range of formats, including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Opus, FLAC, WMA, MIDI, and Monkey’s Audio. The project says it can handle libraries with tens of thousands of songs. Users can browse by tags or directories and search with regular expressions, boolean logic, or Python expressions. Tag tools support Unicode editing, batch changes, and renaming files from tags. Playback options include Replay Gain, shuffle, a configurable queue, podcasts, Internet radio, album art, and playlist import and export in XSPF, M3U, and PLS formats. Plugins include integrations such as MusicBrainz, Last.fm, Sonos, and Logitech Squeezebox; the feature page lists more than 80 contributed plugins. Playback requires GStreamer or xine-lib. The listed macOS 4.6.1 disk image is marked unofficial. Quod Libet is free software under GNU GPL version 2 or later, though alternate terms may apply to some files or modules.
For and against
For
- Handles libraries with tens of thousands of songs
- Supports a broad range of audio formats
- Tag editing includes batch changes and file renaming
- Offers more than 80 contributed plugins
- Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
Against
- Playback requires GStreamer or xine-lib
- The listed macOS 4.6.1 disk image is unofficial
- Some files or modules may use alternate license terms
The verdict
Quod Libet pairs broad format support with extensive library, search, and tagging tools. Users should account for its playback dependency, and macOS users should note the status of the listed 4.6.1 image.
Who it suits
Quod Libet suits listeners with large or varied music libraries who want detailed tag editing and flexible search. It is also an option for people seeking a desktop player on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
Plans and prices
Quod Libet
Free software under GNU GPL version 2 or later
Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
On the record
- Companion app
- Ex Falso uses Quod Libet’s tag-editing backend but does not include an audio player.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution verification
- The downloads page says all files are signed with the listed project key and provides SHA256 and PGP links for release tarballs and many installers.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 12 Oct 2026
- Downloads and signing
- The downloads page lists Linux packages, Windows installers, and macOS disk images, and says all files are signed with a specified key.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Quod Libet supports Python plugins, and its feature page lists more than 80 contributed plugins.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Formats
- Listed audio formats include MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Speex, Opus, FLAC, Musepack, MOD, XM, IT, WavPack, MPEG-4 AAC, WMA, MIDI, and Monkey’s Audio.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Format support
- MP3,Ogg Vorbis,Speex,Opus,FLAC,Musepack,MOD,XM,IT,WavPack,MPEG-4 AAC,WMA,MIDI,Monkey's Audioquodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 21 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- The project lists plugins for MusicBrainz, CDDB, Last.fm, Sonos, Logitech Squeezebox, dBus, and MQTT.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes Ex Falso as an option for people who want tag editing while continuing to use their preferred audio player.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 12 Oct 2026
- Library scale
- The project says Quod Libet can handle libraries with tens of thousands of songs.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Library size
- The product says it can scale to music libraries containing tens of thousands of songs.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 12 Oct 2026
- License
- Quod Libet and its associated modules are free software distributed under GNU GPL version 2 or later, with alternate licensing terms possibly applying to some files or modules.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 12 Oct 2026
- License model
- freequodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 21 Sep 2026
- macOS download limit
- The listed Quod Libet 4.6.1 macOS disk image is marked unofficial; the page also lists versions 4.4.0 and 4.3.0.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Network playback
- Yesquodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 21 Sep 2026
- Playback and library
- Features include Replay Gain, shuffle, a configurable play queue, podcasts, Internet radio, and playlist import and export.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Playback dependency
- The packaging guide says playback requires either GStreamer or xine-lib, and notes that additional GStreamer plugins provide support for some formats and outputs.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 11 Oct 2026
- Playback features
- Listed features include Replay Gain, album art support, podcasts, Internet radio, Unicode support, and major audio formats.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 12 Oct 2026
- Playlists
- The features page lists playlist import and export for XSPF, M3U, and PLS formats.quodlibet.readthedocs.io · read 12 Oct 2026
