Looking for a great music player on Linux? Whether you're a minimalist who just wants something light or an audiophile with high expectations, the Linux ecosystem has a wide variety of music players to choose from.
Here are 5 of the best GUI-based music players for Linux—each with its own strengths, features, and design philosophy.
1. Rhythmbox
Rhythmbox is the default music player on many GNOME-based distributions. It offers a clean interface, support for large music libraries, and features like internet radio, podcast subscriptions, and device syncing.
- Best for: GNOME users and large collections
- Features: Music library, radio, podcasts, Last.fm, iPod support
- Installation:
sudo apt install rhythmbox
Simple, stable, and already integrated into many distros—hard to go wrong with Rhythmbox.
2. Lollypop
Lollypop is a stylish music player designed for the modern Linux desktop. It emphasizes aesthetics, album art, and ease of use, making it a great alternative to Rhythmbox for users who prefer visuals.
- Best for: Users who want a sleek and modern interface
- Features: Party mode, album art downloader, HiDPI support
- Installation:
sudo apt install lollypopor use Flatpak
One of the most beautiful music players on Linux—perfect for those who love a polished UI.
3. Audacious
Audacious is a lightweight audio player with a no-nonsense interface. It's ideal for users who just want to play music without fuss, especially on low-spec systems.
- Best for: Lightweight desktops and older hardware
- Features: Winamp-like interface, plugins, playlists
- Installation:
sudo apt install audacious
Fast, functional, and minimal—Audacious gets the job done without distractions.
4. Strawberry
Strawberry is a music player and collection organizer inspired by Clementine. It supports high-quality audio formats and is tailored for serious music listeners and collectors.
- Best for: Audiophiles and power users
- Features: Tag editing, lyrics, streaming support, advanced audio features
- Installation: Available as Flatpak or from official site
If you're picky about sound quality and file organization, Strawberry won't disappoint.
5. Elisa
Elisa is a Qt-based music player developed by the KDE community. It focuses on ease of use and integrates well with KDE Plasma, offering a clean and responsive interface.
- Best for: KDE users and Qt-based environments
- Features: Music browsing by album, artist, genre, and folder
- Installation:
sudo apt install elisaorflatpak install flathub org.kde.elisa
A modern and elegant choice for Plasma desktop users, Elisa keeps things simple yet functional.
Conclusion
Linux users are spoiled for choice when it comes to music players. Whether you want a full-featured library manager like Rhythmbox and Strawberry, or something lighter like Audacious, there's a perfect fit for your workflow.
Try them out, find your favorite, and let the music play!
0 Comments