MultiPlay vs Linux Show Player

MultiPlay7.0Visit Linux Show Player6.9Visit

Higher score MultiPlay #7 in Soundboard Software 7.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit MultiPlay

vs

Linux Show Player #8 in Soundboard Software 6.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Linux Show

• MultiPlay fits best

  Free Windows show and multimedia playback

• Linux Show Player fits best

  Linux cue and soundboard production

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Side by side

Feature	MultiPlay 7.0/10 Visit ↗	Linux Show Player 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.0	6.9
Ranking	#7 in Soundboard Software	#8 in Soundboard Software
Best for	Free Windows show and multimedia playback	Linux cue and soundboard production
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Linux
Support	Community	Community, Docs
Integrations	4 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features MultiPlay 4/6 · Linux Show Player 3/6
Desktop app	✓	✓
Browser app	—	Not published
Hotkey triggering	✓	✓
Streaming integrations	Not published	Not published
Voice effects	✓ (best)	Not published
Multiple soundboards	✓	✓
Our review
Pros	Free for amateur and commercial use Handles audio, video, images, MIDI, OSC, serial, and network messages Supports multiple outputs, saved productions, layouts, and hotkey triggering	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	Windows desktop only More production-oriented than a simple soundboard Listed integrations focus on control messaging, not streaming software	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	MultiPlay is a free Windows-based cue playback program for theatre and corporate productions. It handles individual audio files, sequential playback, timed pauses, linked cues, video, images, and MIDI sequences. Keyboard shortcuts and… 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

• MultiPlay — where it wins

  • Free for amateur and commercial use
  • Handles audio, video, images, MIDI, OSC, serial, and network messages
  • Supports multiple outputs, saved productions, layouts, and hotkey triggering

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows desktop only
  • More production-oriented than a simple soundboard
  • Listed integrations focus on control messaging, not streaming software

• 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

• MultiPlay7.0/10 · Free plan

  A free Windows cue player for productions that need more than simple soundboard playback.

  Visit MultiPlayFull verdict →
• Linux Show Player6.9/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit Linux ShowFull verdict →