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Cider alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Cider: requires an Apple Music subscription on top of the app price, and unofficial, so it depends on Apple's services. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Cider, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Apple Music currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Strawberry logoStrawberryOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows, macOS4 of 457.2
  1. Strawberry logo

    1. StrawberryTop pick

    Best for: Linux users and collectors who want a capable open-source library manager

    Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Cider

    Free open-source player if you'd rather play your own files.

    Pros

    • Free and open source under the GPL
    • Bit-perfect playback options on Linux
    • Streams from Subsonic-compatible servers

    Cons

    • Traditional, dated-looking interface
    • No audio CD or device support on Windows
    • Some prebuilt installers are reserved for sponsors
    Visit Strawberry Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Strawberry a good Cider alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Origin
    Fork of Clementine
    Checked Oct 25, 2026strawberrymusicplayer.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Server streaming
    Subsonic-compatible
    Checked Oct 25, 2026strawberrymusicplayer.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Scrobbling
    Last.fm and ListenBrainz
    Checked Oct 25, 2026strawberrymusicplayer.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Cider alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Apple Music logo

Best Cider alternative for most people

Apple Music

The official apps, with the newest features first.

Strawberry logo

Best Cider alternative for a free option

Strawberry

Free open-source player if you'd rather play your own files.

Spotify logo

Best Cider alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Spotify

Official native desktop apps on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Strawberry logo

Best Cider alternative for open source

Strawberry

Free open-source player if you'd rather play your own files.

TIDAL logo

Best Cider alternative for Mac

TIDAL

Hi-res streaming with official desktop apps.

Apple Music logo

Best Cider alternative for Windows

Apple Music

The official apps, with the newest features first.

Strawberry logo

Best Cider alternative for Linux

Strawberry

Free open-source player if you'd rather play your own files.

Apple Music logo

Best Cider alternative for iPhone and Android

Apple Music

The official apps, with the newest features first.

Apple Music logo

Best Cider alternative for working in the browser

Apple Music

The official apps, with the newest features first.

Cider alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Cider?

Apple Music ranks first right now. The official apps, with the newest features first. Spotify and Strawberry follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Cider?

Yes. Spotify (free plan + paid) and Strawberry (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Cider?

Yes: Strawberry.

Which Cider alternatives work on Linux?

Strawberry runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Cider?

The complaints we hear most: requires an Apple Music subscription on top of the app price; unofficial, so it depends on Apple's services; some Apple Music features may be missing.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Cider, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.