AudioPad vs Linux Show Player

AudioPad9.4Visit Linux Show Player8.8Visit

Higher score AudioPad #1 in Soundboard Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit AudioPad

vs

Linux Show Player #6 in Soundboard Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Linux Show

• AudioPad fits best

  Free cross-platform soundboard users

• Linux Show Player fits best

  Linux cue and soundboard production

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Side by side

Feature	AudioPad 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Linux Show Player 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Soundboard Software	#6 in Soundboard Software
Best for	Free cross-platform soundboard users	Linux cue and soundboard production
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, Linux	Linux
Integrations	6 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features AudioPad 4/6 · Linux Show Player 3/6
Desktop app	✓	✓
Browser app	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Hotkey triggering	✓	✓
Streaming integrations	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Voice effects	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Multiple soundboards	✓	✓
Our review
Pros	Unlimited sounds with custom global hotkeys Sub-20ms latency and separate local/transmitted volume controls Works with Discord, Zoom, Teams, OBS Studio, Steam, and Slack	Free and open source for locally installed show control Supports concurrent playback, timing, effects and normalization MIDI, OSC, keyboard triggers and cue automation support
Cons	Desktop support is limited to Windows and Linux Runs locally rather than providing cloud-based access License references identify both MIT License and GPLv3	Runs on GNU/Linux rather than multiple desktop platforms Focused on stage cue playback instead of broader audio production Requires production teams to manage a locally installed workflow
Our verdict	AudioPad is a free, open-source desktop soundboard for gamers, streamers, and voice-chat users. It plays music, sound effects, memes, and voice clips through a microphone input, with global hotkeys for triggering sounds and support for… Read the review →	Linux Show Player is a free, open-source cue player for theatre, musical and other stage productions. It is designed for performers, technicians and production teams that need locally installed sound playback on GNU/Linux. The software… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• AudioPad — where it wins

  • Unlimited sounds with custom global hotkeys
  • Sub-20ms latency and separate local/transmitted volume controls
  • Works with Discord, Zoom, Teams, OBS Studio, Steam, and Slack

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop support is limited to Windows and Linux
  • Runs locally rather than providing cloud-based access
  • License references identify both MIT License and GPLv3

• Linux Show Player — where it wins

  • Free and open source for locally installed show control
  • Supports concurrent playback, timing, effects and normalization
  • MIDI, OSC, keyboard triggers and cue automation support

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs on GNU/Linux rather than multiple desktop platforms
  • Focused on stage cue playback instead of broader audio production
  • Requires production teams to manage a locally installed workflow

• AudioPad9.4/10 · Free plan

  A strong free choice for desktop sound triggers, routing, and voice-chat playback.

  Visit AudioPadFull verdict →
• Linux Show Player8.8/10 · Free plan

  A capable open-source soundboard for Linux-based theatre and live production cues.

  Visit Linux ShowFull verdict →