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Mousai review

Free#16 of 23 in Music Identification Apps

A free Linux app for identifying desktop or microphone audio, with saved history and listening links.

6.7/10Editor score
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Mousai is a free, open-source desktop app for Linux that identifies songs captured from desktop audio or a microphone. It returns a song title and artist, making it suited to Linux users who want to identify music playing on their computer or nearby. Recognized tracks can be saved to a repertoire, so the app also serves as a lightweight record of songs found over time.

Its feature set centers on recognition and follow-up rather than music-library management. Users can preview recognized songs in the app and follow links to browse or listen through different providers. That makes Mousai useful when identification is only the first step and the user wants a path to hear or explore the result. Distribution is for Linux, including through Flathub, so it is a desktop option rather than a cross-platform choice.

Recognition runs through the AudD music-recognition API, which is an important dependency. Mousai is free, but the GNOME project page notes that users must log in to AudD to get more trials; the app does not provide offline identification. It fits Linux users who are comfortable with an online recognition service and want song history, previews, and listening links at no cost. People seeking offline recognition or a tool independent of AudD should look elsewhere.

Mousai pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Identifies songs from desktop audio or a microphone
    • Saves recognized songs in a repertoire for later
    • Offers in-app previews and links to listening providers
  • Where it doesn't
    • Recognition depends on the AudD API
    • No offline identification
    • More AudD trials require logging in to AudD

Mousai fact sheet, pricing and score →

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