TuxGuitar
tuxguitar.app
What it is
TuxGuitar is a free editor and player for multi-track guitar tablatures, available for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports tab and standard notation, MIDI, and playback, and can open Guitar Pro, Power Tab Editor, TablEdit, and MIDI files. Versions 2.0.0 and later use a format that older TuxGuitar releases cannot read, though tablatures can be exported in the older format. The source code is available on GitHub under the GNU Lesser General Public License. Users can ask questions through GitHub Discussions, report errors or request features in GitHub Issues, and email small matters such as typos or translations. The project asks users to send vulnerability reports privately through GitHub or email. Packages offered on the site are not officially signed, and installation instructions call for temporarily disabling the operating system’s digital signature verification. The website says it uses no cookies or analytics, keeps IP addresses only for the session, and does not pass logged usage data to third parties.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- TuxGuitar is an editor and player for multi-track guitar tablatures.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- Platforms
- Ready-to-use installation packages are provided for Linux, Windows, macOS, FreeBSD and Android.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- Free plan
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- Support
- Users can ask questions on GitHub Discussions, report errors or request features through GitHub Issues, and email small issues such as typos or translations.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- Download security
- The packages available on the site are not officially signed, and installation instructions say to temporarily disable the operating system’s digital signature verification.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- File compatibility
- It can open Guitar Pro, Power Tab Editor, TablEdit and MIDI files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- File format limit
- Versions 2.0.0 and later use a new file format that older TuxGuitar versions cannot read, but tablatures can be exported in the old format.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- Maintainer history
- The site says TuxGuitar was written by Julián Casadesús and that enthusiasts started a new GitHub repository after development in the SourceForge repository stalled.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- MIDI support
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- Security reporting
- The project asks users to submit vulnerability reports privately on GitHub or email [email protected].Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Source code and license
- The source code is available on GitHub, and TuxGuitar is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tuxguitar.app
- Website privacy
- The website says it uses no cookies or analytics tools, does not store IP addresses beyond the session, and does not pass logged usage data to third parties.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tuxguitar.app
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Edits and plays multi-track guitar tablatures.
- Supports tab, standard notation, and MIDI.
- Opens Guitar Pro, Power Tab Editor, and TablEdit files.
- Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
Limits
- Older TuxGuitar versions cannot read the newer format.
- Site packages are not officially signed.
- Installation instructions call for disabling signature verification temporarily.
Who it suits
TuxGuitar suits guitarists who want to edit, play, and exchange tablatures across its supported desktop and Android platforms. It may also suit users who want open-source software and GitHub-based support channels.
Verdict
TuxGuitar covers tablature editing, playback, and several established file formats across four listed platforms. Be aware of the newer format’s compatibility limit and the unsigned packages’ installation guidance.
Where Specifiction places it
- Music notation software#21 of 387.9
- Guitar Tab Software#30 of 327.3