Music Apps on Ubuntu-Based Linux

Practical music app choices for Ubuntu 24.04-based distros: Spotify for streaming, Rhythmbox for a simple library, and Strawberry for larger local collections.

Beginner Curated Guidance Updated 3 min read Tested on Linux Mint 22.3 Cinnamon (Ubuntu 24.04 Noble base); also tested on Zorin OS 18.1 Pro Hardware Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 2 (Intel i5-1135G7, 16GB RAM, Intel Iris Xe, 1366x768)

Overview

Pick one music app that matches how you listen: the official Spotify client for streaming, Rhythmbox for a simple local library (it ships with Linux Mint), or Strawberry for larger collections that need serious tagging and management. This guide installs each and adds optional Spicetify customization for Spotify.

Prerequisites

The Problem (Windows User Perspective)

On Windows, many people just install Spotify and stop thinking about it. On Linux, the music-app landscape is wider: some apps are for streaming, some are for local libraries, and some are lightweight players with almost no library features at all.

How to Choose

If you want…Use…Why
Official Spotify desktop appSpotifyBest fit if Spotify is your main service
A familiar local music library appRhythmboxSimple, stable, and well integrated on Ubuntu-based desktops (default on Linux Mint Cinnamon)
Better library management and taggingStrawberryStronger for large local collections

Guiding idea: choose one primary app first. Do not install four music apps on day one unless you already know why you need them.

Option 1: Spotify (Official Client)

If you mainly stream music through Spotify, this is the cleanest default. We recommend installing it via the official APT repository instead of Snap, as this allows for advanced customization (like custom themes and ad-blocking):

# 1. Add the official Spotify repository and its GPG key (per spotify.com/download/linux)
curl -sS https://download.spotify.com/debian/pubkey_5384CE82BA52C83A.asc | sudo gpg --dearmor --yes -o /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/spotify.gpg
echo "deb https://repository.spotify.com stable non-free" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list

# 2. Install Spotify
sudo apt update
sudo apt install spotify-client

Without the spotify.list repository line, apt install spotify-client fails — the package is not in Ubuntu’s own repositories.

Advanced Customization (Spicetify)

The standard Spotify client is great, but advanced users might want an ad-free experience, custom themes, or extra features. Spicetify is a command-line tool that lets you patch the official client.

  1. Install Spicetify and add it to your PATH:

    curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spicetify/cli/main/install.sh | sh

    (Note: The script will ask if you want to install the Marketplace. Press n for now, because it will fail until you update your PATH).

    Now, add Spicetify to your terminal’s PATH:

    echo 'export PATH=$PATH:~/.spicetify' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

  2. Grant permissions and apply the patch:

    sudo chmod a+wr /usr/share/spotify
sudo chmod a+wr /usr/share/spotify/Apps -R
spicetify backup apply

  3. Install the Spicetify Marketplace (for themes and extensions):

    curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/spicetify/marketplace/main/resources/install.sh | sh

    After this, restart Spotify. You will see a new “Marketplace” tab where you can install themes or the “Adblock” extension.

When this option makes sense

  • Spotify is your main music service
  • You want the official desktop client, not a wrapper or unofficial frontend
  • You want the ability to customize your UI and experience

Option 2: Rhythmbox (Simple Local Library)

Rhythmbox is a good default if your music is stored locally and you want a straightforward library app. It is usually already installed on Linux Mint — the command below covers other Ubuntu-based distros or reinstalls.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install rhythmbox

When this option makes sense

  • You keep MP3, FLAC, or OGG files locally
  • You want something simple and conventional
  • You want an app that is already there — Rhythmbox ships preinstalled on Linux Mint (default since Mint 18.1) and integrates cleanly on GNOME-based distros

Optional extras

sudo apt install rhythmbox-plugins rhythmbox-plugin-alternative-toolbar

Use the optional packages only if you want more features or a different toolbar layout. The base app is enough for most people.

Option 3: Strawberry (Power User Library App)

Strawberry is a better fit when you have a larger library and care more about organization than desktop integration.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install strawberry

When this option makes sense

  • You have a big local music collection
  • You care about tags, metadata, and library management
  • You want a more feature-heavy player than Rhythmbox

Why it is here

This is one of the stronger Ubuntu-package choices for people who want a real local-music manager rather than just a streaming client.

Web Apps Still Count

If your real music workflow is browser-based, do not overcomplicate it.

  • YouTube Music
  • Apple Music
  • SoundCloud
  • Tidal web player

For those services, a browser tab or an installed web app can be more practical than chasing unofficial Linux clients.

Troubleshooting

SymptomCauseFix
App installs but you cannot find it in the menuDesktop cache or launcher search lagLog out and back in, then search again
Music app opens but there is no soundWrong output device or muted app streamCheck Settings → Sound and confirm the app is using the correct output
Local files do not appear in Rhythmbox or StrawberryLibrary folder was not added or scannedPoint the app at your music folder and trigger a rescan
Spotify repository GPG errorThe Spotify signing key rotated/expiredRe-run the curl command from the installation step to fetch the new key

Complete Removal

sudo apt remove --purge spotify-client rhythmbox rhythmbox-plugins rhythmbox-plugin-alternative-toolbar strawberry
sudo apt autoremove --purge

Remove only the apps you actually installed.

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