Mopidy
Mopidy: A programmable audio server for developers who want self-hosted playback and extensions. Ranked #39 of 75 in Media Player Software by our editors (5.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for developers building self-hosted music systems.
At a glance
- Editor score5.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forDevelopers building self-hosted music systems
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Network playbackYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open-source with Linux, macOS, and Raspberry Pi support
- Combines local files, Internet radio, and network stream playback
- Offers HTTP, WebSocket, JSON-RPC, MPD, and extension-based control
Where it doesn't
- Primarily handles music rather than general video media playback
- Deployment is specialized for self-hosted projects and technical users
- Verified format support centers on MP3, Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC
Our verdict on Mopidy
Mopidy is a free, open-source music server written in Python for developers building self-hosted audio systems. It plays local files, Internet radio, and network streams, while extensions add music sources, frontends, mixers, and web clients. The project supports Linux, macOS, and Raspberry Pi deployments, and can run in a terminal or as a background process. It is a focused choice for programmable music playback rather than a general-purpose video media player.
Its main strength is the combination of playback flexibility and remote control. Mopidy supports HTTP and WebSocket control, a JSON-RPC API, and MPD server support through the Mopidy-MPD extension. Client applications can manage playlists and tracklists, while MPD clients and web clients provide access beyond the host machine. Extensions connect the system with Spotify, SoundCloud, Tidal, TuneIn, and YouTube, giving developers multiple ways to assemble a music setup around their preferred sources and interfaces.
Mopidy fits projects where self-hosting, Raspberry Pi deployment, and an extension-based architecture matter more than a broad consumer media library. GStreamer provides the audio playback foundation, with listed format support including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC; available playback also depends on installed GStreamer plugins and extensions. That makes deployment choices part of the product experience. Developers who need a programmable music server with API and MPD access should consider Mopidy, while users seeking a general video player or a less specialized setup should choose a different category of tool.
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Mopidy pricing
Mopidy fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pi |
| Network playback | Yes |
| Subtitle support | Not verified |
| Format support | MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC |
| Hardware acceleration | Not verified |
| 4K playback | Not verified |
| License model | Free |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 7 integrations: Spotify, SoundCloud, Tidal, TuneIn, YouTube, MPD clients … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | mopidy.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Mopidy integrations
Mopidy lists 7 integrations on its own site.
- Spotify
- SoundCloud
- Tidal
- TuneIn
- YouTube
- MPD clients
- Web clients
Alternatives to Mopidy
- VLC media playerA broad, capable free player for local, network, and streamed media across major platforms.9.4
- mpvA flexible, scriptable player for users who prefer control over convenience.9.1
- KMPlayerA broad media player with strong format, network, cloud, and casting support.9.0
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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