Rivendell
Rivendell: A free Linux system for scheduled radio playout, live assist, and audio management. Ranked #20 of 26 in Music Live Stream Software by our editors (7.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free Linux broadcast automation.
At a glance
- Editor score7.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree Linux broadcast automation
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free, open-source deployment for Linux and self-hosted workstations
- Combines library management, scheduled playout, live assist, and voice tracking
- Supports Icecast metadata, podcast feeds, recordings, and multiple audio formats
Where it doesn't
- Primarily targets radio automation rather than video livestreaming platforms
- Requires Linux and self-hosted deployment
- Its feature set is focused on audio broadcast workflows
Our verdict on Rivendell
Rivendell is an open-source digital audio content management and radio automation system from Paravel Systems. It is designed for professional broadcast environments, including self-hosted workstations and multi-station systems running GNU/Linux. Its workflow covers audio content acquisition, library management, log generation, scheduled playout, live-assist playback, voice tracking, transition editing, podcast management, and scheduled recording.
The pricing model is open source, with a free plan. That makes Rivendell a fit for organizations seeking broadcast automation without a paid software tier. The published feature set includes audio file import for WAV, MPEG, Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC, along with scheduled playback, uploads, downloads, and recording. The system also connects with AudioScience HPI adapters, JACK Audio Connection Kit, Icecast, audio routing switchers, satellite downlink receivers, audio mixing consoles, and traffic and music scheduling systems. These connections suit environments that need a broader radio production and playout setup rather than a standalone streaming page.
Rivendell’s main strength is the depth of its radio-focused workflow. SoundPanel arrays support live-assist playback, while voice tracking, transition editing, automated logs, program-associated data, and Icecast metadata updates address operational broadcast needs. It also supports playlist scheduling, audio file uploads, podcast feed management, and multiple audio formats. The trade-off is scope: Rivendell is primarily radio automation software, not a dedicated YouTube or Twitch live-streaming service. Organizations looking for radio playout, audio management, and Icecast-oriented streaming should consider it; teams centered on video livestreaming, multistreaming, 24/7 streaming services, or audio visualizers should choose a more specialized alternative.
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Rivendell pricing
Rivendell fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Main destinations | Other |
| 24/7 streaming | Not verified |
| Playlist scheduling | Yes |
| Audio visualizers | Not verified |
| Multistreaming | Not verified |
| Audio file upload | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Email, Phone, Docs, Community · 24/7 |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 7 integrations: AudioScience HPI adapters, JACK Audio Connection Kit, Icecast, audio routing switchers, satellite downlink receivers, audio mixing consoles … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | rivendellaudio.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Rivendell integrations
Rivendell lists 7 integrations on its own site.
- AudioScience HPI adapters
- JACK Audio Connection Kit
- Icecast
- audio routing switchers
- satellite downlink receivers
- audio mixing consoles
- traffic and music scheduling systems
Alternatives to Rivendell
- playout.videoA cloud-first option for scheduled music channels, browser production, and multistreaming.9.4
- UpstreamA flexible cloud studio for scheduled, always-on, and multistreamed broadcasts.9.2
- ClutchCut LoopFree macOS software for looping, scheduling, overlays, and multi-destination streaming.9.0
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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