Gqrx
Open-source software-defined radio receiver for Linux and macOS, built on GNU Radio and Qt.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Linux, macOS
Is Gqrx free?
Yes, free and open source
- License:
- GPL-3.0
Checked on Gqrx's site Oct 30, 2026
Switch from Gqrx to
All 2
SDR++Open source
SDR# (SDRSharp)Free
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 2
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Gqrx
Gqrx is a receiver for software-defined radio hardware built on GNU Radio and the Qt toolkit. It detects attached devices such as RTL-SDR dongles, Airspy, FUNcube, HackRF and USRP radios, shows the band as an FFT plot and waterfall, and lets you tune and listen with AM, SSB, CW and narrow or wide FM demodulators, including stereo FM and a mode for NOAA weather satellite images. Filters, AGC, squelch and noise blankers handle cleanup, and you can record audio or raw baseband data, stream audio over UDP or control it remotely over TCP, which other tools use for automation. It is free software under the GPL and is packaged by most Linux distributions, Homebrew, MacPorts and Flathub; there is no official Windows build. Gqrx has been around for over a decade, so guides and tutorials are plentiful, though its interface and decoder list are more basic than newer receivers.
Best for: Linux and Mac radio hobbyists who want a well-documented, packaged SDR receiver.
Pros and cons
What works
- Packaged by most Linux distributions, Homebrew and Flathub
- Remote control over TCP and audio streaming over UDP
- Records both audio and raw I/Q data
Why people leave
- No official Windows build
- Receive only, with a basic set of analogue demodulators
- Single VFO, so only one signal at a time
Gqrx vs SDR++ and SDR# (SDRSharp)
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Gqrx | SDR++ | SDR# (SDRSharp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source | Free |
| Verified price | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app |
| Open source | Yes | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
Top Gqrx alternatives
See all 2- 1SDR++68.8
Faster modern receiver with multiple VFOs that also runs on Windows.
- 2SDR# (SDRSharp)61.8
The common Windows choice, with a large plugin ecosystem; free, though closed source.
Why people left Gqrx
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Gqrx: common questions
What is Gqrx?
Gqrx: Open-source software-defined radio receiver for Linux and macOS, built on GNU Radio and Qt. Best for linux and Mac radio hobbyists who want a well-documented, packaged SDR receiver. Available for Linux and macOS.
Is Gqrx free?
Yes. Gqrx is free, open-source software.
Is Gqrx open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at gqrx-sdr/gqrx.
What platforms does Gqrx run on?
Gqrx is available for Linux and macOS.
What are the best alternatives to Gqrx?
The highest-ranked Gqrx alternatives right now are SDR++ and SDR# (SDRSharp). See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Gqrx vs SDR++: what's the difference?
Both Gqrx and SDR++ are free and open source. Only SDR++ runs on Windows.