rox review
A free, open-source desktop player with deep tagging, playlist and playback controls.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
For listeners managing large local collections, rox is a desktop music player for Linux, macOS and Windows. It indexes tracks, reads tags and durations, and combines library organization with metadata editing, playlists and playback controls. The product is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, making it a fit for solo listeners and small setups that want control over a local library rather than a service-centered listening experience.
Its library tools go beyond basic track browsing. Users can edit tags in batches, use find-and-replace, and look up metadata through MusicBrainz, iTunes and Deezer. Playlist support includes smart playlists and import or export in M3U, PLS and XSPF formats. Playback options include gapless playback, shuffle, repeat, play-next and A-B repeat, alongside an equalizer, ReplayGain and exclusive audio output. Configurable panels and shareable workspace themes offer ways to arrange the desktop interface. Subsonic and OpenSubsonic browsing, radio streams and local JSON-RPC control extend its reach beyond files stored on the computer.
The fit is strongest for people who value detailed library maintenance and flexible playback in one desktop app. Those who want a simpler player may not need its editing and workspace controls. Confidence also merits some caution: official pages show different version numbers, and the available product description does not establish supported audio formats. Support is community-based, so buyers who prioritize a formal support channel or want format compatibility clearly documented should weigh that against rox’s breadth of library features.
rox pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Batch tag edits and metadata lookup through MusicBrainz, iTunes and Deezer
- Smart playlists plus M3U, PLS and XSPF import and export
- Gapless playback, ReplayGain, equalizer and Subsonic browsing
- Where it doesn't
- Official pages show different version numbers
- Format support details are not established here
- Support is community-based
rox fact sheet, pricing and score →
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