Rhythmbox

At a glance

• Editor score
  5.4 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Linux users seeking a free, extensible music player
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  None
• Library tools
  Music library; multiple playlists; organized song view; metadata reading
• Facts checked
  4 Oct 2026

• Where it wins

  • Organizes a music library with multiple playlists and song metadata.
  • Plugins add Internet radio, audio CD playback, and ReplayGain.
  • Supports MTP devices, iPods, portable players, and DAAP sharing.

• Where it doesn't

  • Available audio formats depend on the GStreamer plugins installed.
  • Available for Linux, rather than across desktop platforms.
  • Extending the player relies on C or Python plugins.

Our verdict on Rhythmbox

Rhythmbox is a free, open-source desktop music player and library manager for GNOME, aimed at Linux users who want to organize and play a local music collection. It offers a library view, metadata reading, and multiple playlists, with playback handled through the GStreamer multimedia framework. Its focus is local music management with optional playback and device features, rather than a cross-platform player or a service centered on online music catalogs.

Its plugin system is the main source of added capability. Included plugins provide Internet radio, audio CD playback, portable audio player and MTP device support, and ReplayGain volume normalization. Rhythmbox also supports iPods, generic portable audio players, Android devices through MTP, and DAAP music sharing. Users can extend it with C and Python plugins. This makes it a fit for people who want a player that can be extended around their library and devices, though it may require comfort with Linux software and plugins.

Rhythmbox is free, and the GNOME Project distributes it through Linux distribution packaging and Flatpak. A practical caveat is that supported audio formats depend on the GStreamer plugins installed on the system, so playback support can vary by distribution. The product is limited to Linux, which rules it out for users seeking the same player across other desktop platforms. Choose Rhythmbox for a free Linux library manager with device support and extensibility; consider another player if consistent format support across systems or broad platform coverage is a priority.

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Rhythmbox pricing

Rhythmbox fact sheet

Rhythmbox integrations

Rhythmbox lists 4 integrations on its own site.

• Android devices via MTP
• iPod
• generic portable audio players
• DAAP music sharing

Alternatives to Rhythmbox

• VLC media playerA free, wide-format player for local audio and video across desktop and mobile.9.4
• AIMPA free audio player with broad format support and tools for local, network and cloud libraries.9.2
• foobar2000A free player for local music with deep tagging, DSP, and network playback tools.9.1

See all Rhythmbox alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

Rhythmbox is listed in our Local Music Player 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 20 Oct 2026 · How we research and update