OpenMeters

At a glance

• Editor score
  6.1 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Free Linux desktop metering
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Real-time analysis
  Yes
• Facts checked
  20 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Free and open source under GPL-3.0-or-later
  • Covers LUFS, true peak, waveform, spectrum, spectrogram and stereo views
  • Supports PipeWire capture from applications, devices and the default sink

• Where it doesn't

  • Linux-only desktop support
  • Audio capture is built around PipeWire
  • Focused on live capture rather than broader workflow features

Our verdict on OpenMeters

OpenMeters is a free, open-source desktop application for analyzing and visualizing audio on Linux. It captures audio through PipeWire from applications, devices or the default sink, then presents several real-time views for loudness, frequency, waveform, stereo and time-frequency analysis. The audience is Linux users who need desktop metering across multiple analysis modes without a paid plan. It supports both X11 and Wayland windows, with an optional Wayland bar mode, and is distributed under GPL-3.0-or-later.

Its strongest area is the breadth of its analysis display. OpenMeters includes BS.1770-5 LUFS loudness metering, true-peak and K-weighted RMS metering, an oscilloscope with stable and zero-crossing triggers, and a waveform display with channel selection. The spectrogram uses STFT and time-frequency reassignment, while the spectrum analyzer provides averaging and peak hold. A left/right stereometer adds phase correlation, giving the application a useful range for monitoring loudness, timing, frequency content and stereo behavior in one desktop interface.

The main trade-off is platform and ecosystem focus. OpenMeters is designed for Linux and integrates with PipeWire, with configurable refresh rates, pop-out visuals, editable JSON settings and user themes adding control over the desktop experience. That makes it a clear fit for PipeWire-based Linux monitoring, but less suitable for users seeking a cross-platform application or a broader audio workflow. Choose OpenMeters for free, real-time desktop metering with multiple visualizers; choose another category tool if your priority is a platform beyond Linux or a workflow centered on features outside PipeWire capture.

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OpenMeters pricing

OpenMeters fact sheet

OpenMeters integrations

OpenMeters lists 1 integrations on its own site.

• PipeWire

Alternatives to OpenMeters

• Insight 2A focused metering plug-in for loudness compliance and multichannel audio analysis.9.1
• WLM Plus Loudness MeterA standards-focused loudness plugin for production across major DAWs.9.0
• SmaartA broad measurement suite for live sound, acoustics, and SPL monitoring.8.9

See all OpenMeters alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

OpenMeters is listed in our Audio Analysis Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update