Rhythmbox

At a glance

• Editor score
  8.5 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Linux users wanting a simple free music library
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Library management
  Yes
• Facts checked
  23 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Organizes and browses a personal music library
  • Includes playback and playlist management
  • Lets users edit track metadata; free and open source

• Where it doesn't

  • Available for Linux only
  • Focused on personal music libraries and core playback
  • No AI features

Our verdict on Rhythmbox

Rhythmbox is a desktop music player and library manager from the GNOME project, intended for Linux desktop environments. It is aimed at people who want to organize and browse a personal music collection, play tracks, create or manage playlists, and edit track metadata in one application. Its emphasis is on these core library and playback tasks rather than a broader audio workflow. Linux users looking for a free, open-source way to manage a personal collection are the clearest fit; people who need another platform should look elsewhere.

Rhythmbox is free and open-source software, with no paid plan tiers described. That makes its pricing straightforward: users can access the player and its stated library, playback, playlist, and metadata functions without choosing between subscription levels. The published product details describe a desktop deployment for Linux, so the relevant fit is a Linux desktop environment rather than a cross-platform setup. There is no paid tier to weigh for extra features, and the stated feature set centers on managing and playing a personal music collection.

The strongest reason to choose Rhythmbox is the combination of library organization, track playback, playlist support, and metadata editing in a free Linux desktop application. Its scope is also its main constraint: it is specifically intended for Linux, and the described functions stay close to personal music library management. It does not offer AI features. Choose it if those core tasks on Linux match your needs; consider another audio player if you require support beyond Linux or capabilities outside the functions described here. Rhythmbox is best suited to a simple, focused music library rather than a wider audio toolkit.

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Rhythmbox pricing

Rhythmbox fact sheet

Alternatives to Rhythmbox

• foobar2000A capable free player for local libraries, network playback, tagging, and audio processing.9.3
• LLollypopA focused Linux desktop player with collection tools, ReplayGain, and scrobbling.8.3
• ElisaA free, open-source library player with playlists, radio, and cross-platform support.8.1

See all Rhythmbox alternatives →

Rhythmbox vs the competition

• RRhythmbox vs foobar2000
• RLRhythmbox vs Lollypop
• RRhythmbox vs Elisa
• RRhythmbox vs Apple Music Playlist Playground
• RRhythmbox vs Winamp for Artists
• RARhythmbox vs Audacious

Compare Rhythmbox with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

Rhythmbox is listed in our Audio 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 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update