Rhythmbox review
A free Linux music library with playlists, device support, and extensible plugins.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Rhythmbox pros and cons
- 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.
Rhythmbox fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update