Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Local Music Player Software

Clementine vs Audacious

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Clementine #4 in Local Music Player Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Clementine
Audacious #6 in Local Music Player Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Audacious

Clementine leads on 0 checks, Audacious on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreClementine · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth

Clementine scores higher on our rubric for local music player software: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Clementine is the better fit for library listeners who want playlists and cloud playback. Audacious is the better fit for desktop listeners who prefer an open-source player.

  • Clementine fits best

    Library listeners who want playlists and cloud playback

  • Audacious fits best

    Desktop listeners who prefer an open-source player

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Clementine 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Audacious 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #4 in Local Music Player Software #6 in Local Music Player Software
Best for Library listeners who want playlists and cloud playback Desktop listeners who prefer an open-source player
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs, Community Community, Docs
Integrations 12 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Clementine 1/3 · Audacious 1/3
Gapless playback Not checked yet Not checked yet
Open source ✓ ✓
Equalizer Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android remote Not checked yet
Audio formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Library tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Manages local libraries with dynamic playlists, CUE sheets and tag editing
  • Plays internet radio, podcasts and music from listed cloud services
  • Transcodes to MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Ogg Speex, FLAC or AAC
  • Plays local music, audio CDs, and internet streams
  • Offers library search, playlists, ReplayGain, and gapless playback
  • Qt, GTK, and Winamp Classic interfaces with plugin support
Cons
  • The desktop player is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux; Android is remote control
  • Remote-control options are Android, MPRIS or command line, not a broad device list
  • Support channels are documentation and community
  • Focused on audio playback rather than video
  • Interface options may not suit listeners seeking one consistent UI
  • Plugin-based capabilities can require choosing and configuring extensions
Our verdict

Clementine is a free, open-source music player and library organizer for people who keep music locally but also want playlists, radio and cloud playback. Its desktop versions are listed for Windows, macOS and Linux, with Android offered as…

Read the review →

Audacious is a free, open-source desktop audio player for listeners who want to manage and play music locally, as well as tune into internet streams. It runs on Linux, BSD derivatives, macOS, and Windows. Its core tools include…

Read the review →
  1. ClementineLocal Music Player Software 9.0Free plan
  2. AudaciousLocal Music Player Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Clementine — where it wins

    • Manages local libraries with dynamic playlists, CUE sheets and tag editing
    • Plays internet radio, podcasts and music from listed cloud services
    • Transcodes to MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Ogg Speex, FLAC or AAC

    Where it doesn't

    • The desktop player is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux; Android is remote control
    • Remote-control options are Android, MPRIS or command line, not a broad device list
    • Support channels are documentation and community

  • Audacious — where it wins

    • Plays local music, audio CDs, and internet streams
    • Offers library search, playlists, ReplayGain, and gapless playback
    • Qt, GTK, and Winamp Classic interfaces with plugin support

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on audio playback rather than video
    • Interface options may not suit listeners seeking one consistent UI
    • Plugin-based capabilities can require choosing and configuring extensions

More comparisons

All local music player software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update