swmpc review
A focused Mac and iPhone controller for libraries running on an MPD server.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
For people who already run Music Player Daemon, swmpc provides native Mac and iPhone controls for browsing a library and managing playback. It can search artists, albums, and tracks; add, remove, reorder, and manage the queue; and create, edit, delete, and populate playlists. Favorite tracks are available alongside those core library controls. This makes swmpc a companion client for an existing MPD setup, not a player that replaces the server or operates as a standalone general-purpose media player.
Its platform fit is deliberately narrow: swmpc connects to Music Player Daemon and requires an MPD-compatible server using protocol 0.21 or later. On Mac, menu bar playback controls provide access outside the main app, while playback widgets extend controls on supported platforms. The source code is available under the EUPL-1.2 license. Choose it if MPD is already part of your music setup and you want library, queue, and playlist management from Mac or iPhone. If you need a player that works without an MPD server, this is not the right fit.
The published purchase information describes one universal purchase for Mac and iPhone, rather than separate platform plans. The U.S. App Store price may vary by region. AI-assisted playlist generation and queue filling by genre or mood add suggestions to the existing playback workflow, but do not change the app's role as an MPD controller. Buyers seeking a focused remote with favorites, playlists, and queue tools may find that scope suitable; people looking for a self-contained media library or a broader player should choose another product.
swmpc pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Browse and search MPD artists, albums, and tracks
- Manage queues, playlists, and favorite tracks
- Mac menu bar controls, playback widgets, and AI suggestions
- Where it doesn't
- Requires an MPD server running protocol 0.21 or later
- Not a standalone general-purpose media player
- Paid universal purchase; the U.S. App Store price may vary by region
swmpc fact sheet, pricing and score →
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