Quod Libet
quodlibet.readthedocs.io
What it is
Quod Libet is a free audio player for Linux, macOS and Windows, built with GTK+ and written in Python. It handles libraries with tens of thousands of songs and supports formats including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Speex, Opus, FLAC, Musepack, MOD, XM, IT, WavPack, MPEG-4 AAC, WMA, MIDI and Monkey’s Audio. Users can browse by tags or directories and search with regular expressions, structured boolean logic or Python expressions. Its tag editor supports Unicode, batch changes and renaming files based on tags. Playback features include Replay Gain, shuffle, a configurable queue, podcasts, Internet radio and playlist import and export in XSPF, M3U and PLS formats. Plugins include integrations for MusicBrainz, CDDB, Last.fm, Sonos and Logitech Squeezebox; the feature page lists more than 80 contributed plugins. Podcast feeds are checked every two hours, and episodes can be downloaded. Radio streams support MP3 and Ogg Vorbis; other formats may need additional GStreamer plugins, and stations cannot be added to playlists or the play queue. Playback requires GStreamer or xine-lib. Quod Libet is free software under GNU GPL version 2 or later, though alternate terms may apply to some files or modules. The listed macOS 4.6.1 disk image is marked unofficial.
Spec sheet
- Product
- Quod Libet is a GTK+-based audio player and music library manager written in Python that uses the Mutagen tagging library.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Intended users
- The project describes Ex Falso as an option for people who want tag editing while continuing to use their preferred audio player.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Platforms
- The project repository describes Quod Libet as available for Linux, Windows, and macOS.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Free plan
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Integrations
- The project lists plugins for MusicBrainz, CDDB, Last.fm, Sonos, Logitech Squeezebox, dBus, and MQTT.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- 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.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Companion app
- Ex Falso uses Quod Libet’s tag-editing backend but does not include an audio player.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- 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.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- 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.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Extensibility
- Quod Libet supports Python plugins, and its feature page lists more than 80 contributed plugins.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Format support
- MP3,Ogg Vorbis,Speex,Opus,FLAC,Musepack,MOD,XM,IT,WavPack,MPEG-4 AAC,WMA,MIDI,Monkey's AudioRead 21 Sep 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- 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.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Library scale
- The project says Quod Libet can handle libraries with tens of thousands of songs.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Library size
- The product says it can scale to music libraries containing tens of thousands of songs.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- License model
- freeRead 21 Sep 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- 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.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Network playback
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Playback and library
- Features include Replay Gain, shuffle, a configurable play queue, podcasts, Internet radio, and playlist import and export.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- 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.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Playback features
- Listed features include Replay Gain, album art support, podcasts, Internet radio, Unicode support, and major audio formats.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Playlists
- The features page lists playlist import and export for XSPF, M3U, and PLS formats.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Plugins
- The features page says Quod Libet has over 80 plugins, including integrations for Last.fm, MusicBrainz, CDDB, Sonos, and Logitech Squeezebox.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Podcast behavior
- The podcast browser checks feeds for updates every two hours and lets users download an episode file to their hard drive.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Radio limitation
- The Internet Radio browser supports MP3 and Ogg Vorbis streams, while other formats may require appropriate GStreamer plugins; radio stations cannot be added to playlists or the play queue.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Search and browsing
- Users can browse by tags or directory and search with text, regular expressions, structured boolean logic, or Python expressions.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Separate tag editor
- Ex Falso uses the same tag-editing backend as Quod Libet but is not connected to an audio player.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Streaming integration
- The features page lists SoundCloud browsing and streaming with login and native favorites support.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Supported systems
- The downloads page provides Linux, Windows, and macOS download options.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Tag editing
- It supports Unicode tag editing across supported formats, including batch changes and renaming files based on tags.Read 11 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
- Tagging and search
- Users can display and edit tags in supported files and search using regular expressions or regular searches.Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
Plans and prices
Quod Libet Free Free software under GNU GPL version 2 or later Read 12 Oct 2026 · quodlibet.readthedocs.io
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Runs on Linux, macOS and Windows.
- Handles libraries with tens of thousands of songs.
- Tag editing includes batch changes and tag-based renaming.
- Supports more than 80 contributed plugins.
- Playlist import and export covers XSPF, M3U and PLS.
Limits
- Playback requires GStreamer or xine-lib.
- Radio stations cannot be added to playlists or the queue.
- The listed macOS 4.6.1 disk image is marked unofficial.
Who it suits
Quod Libet suits desktop listeners who want a configurable music library, broad format support and detailed tag editing. Its search options and plugin support may appeal to people who organize large collections.
Verdict
Quod Libet offers extensive library search, tagging and playback features at no charge. Playback depends on GStreamer or xine-lib, and the listed macOS 4.6.1 image is unofficial.
Where Specifiction places it
- Media Player Software#24 of 768.2
- Audio Player Software#8 of 188.1
