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Open source MusicBrainz Picard alternatives: 2 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

2 of the 7 MusicBrainz Picard alternatives we track are open source. Kid3 and puddletag rank highest, with facts last verified Nov 8, 2026.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Kid3 logoKid3Open source—YesLinux, Windows, macOS +15 of 561.8
2puddletag logopuddletagOpen source—YesLinux5 of 559.4
  1. Kid3 logo

    1. Kid3Top pick

    Best for: Linux and cross-platform users who want detailed, free control over music tags

    Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS, Android

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from MusicBrainz Picard

    Open-source tag editor with fine control over every tag frame, on desktop and Android.

    Pros

    • Runs on Linux, Windows, macOS and Android
    • Fine-grained editing of every ID3v2 frame, plus synced lyrics
    • Command-line and scripting options for automation
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • No audio fingerprint matching for untagged files
    • Busy interface with many panels
    • Smaller user community than Mp3tag or Picard
    Visit Kid3 Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Kid3 a good MusicBrainz Picard alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kid3.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, Windows, macOS, Android
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kid3.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Online lookups
    gnudb, MusicBrainz, Discogs and more
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kid3.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Synced lyrics
    Edit and import/export LRC
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kid3.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Automation
    CLI, QML/JavaScript, D-Bus
    Checked Nov 8, 2026kid3.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. puddletag logo

    2. puddletag

    Best for: Linux users who want Mp3tag-style bulk tag editing in a table view.

    Open sourceLinux

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from MusicBrainz Picard

    Spreadsheet-style tag editor for Linux that edits many files at once and can still pull data from MusicBrainz.

    Pros

    • Spreadsheet layout makes bulk edits across albums quick
    • Tag-from-filename, rename-from-tag and reusable actions
    • MusicBrainz and Discogs lookups with cover art
    • Free, GPL-3.0 and in most Linux repositories

    Cons

    • Linux only; no Windows or macOS build
    • Interface takes time to learn, much like Mp3tag
    • Official website and docs are updated rarely
    Visit puddletag Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is puddletag a good MusicBrainz Picard alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Layout
    Spreadsheet-style table
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Web lookups
    Discogs, MusicBrainz, FreeDB
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Formats
    ID3, MP4, Vorbis comments, APEv2, WMA
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Install
    PyPI and Linux distribution packages
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)