kew The European alternative to Spotify (local library)
Open Source SubmittedOpen-source music player for the Linux terminal
About kew
kew is an open-source music player for the command line, licensed under GPL-2.0. It plays local music libraries in formats such as MP3, FLAC, OPUS, OGG, and WAV and supports cover art in sixel-capable terminals. Unlike Spotify, no accounts, streaming, or advertising are required.
Highlights
- ✓ Plays local music libraries from the command line
- ✓ Supports MP3, FLAC, M4A, OPUS, OGG, WebM, WAV, and AIFF
- ✓ Full-color cover art via sixel-capable terminals
- ✓ Gapless playback, lyrics from .lrc files, and MPRIS integration
- ✓ Packages for Linux (Fedora, Arch, NixOS) and macOS via Homebrew
Why European?
- → Open-source project hosted on Codeberg (EU hosting in Berlin)
- → GPL-2.0 license, fully auditable
- → No server component, no data transmission to third parties
- → Works offline with own local files
Pricing
Free (open source, GPL-2.0)
Frequently asked questions about kew
What is kew and what is it used for? +
kew is an open-source music player for the command line. Users search their local music library by keyword, kew creates a playlist of matching tracks, albums, or artists from it and plays it back. Features include gapless playback, lyric display via .lrc files, audio visualizations, MPRIS integration for desktop controls, and cover art in color-capable terminals.
Does kew run on European infrastructure? +
kew itself is a local application and does not require a server component: playback happens exclusively on the user’s device. The source code is hosted on Codeberg, a non-profit platform based and hosted in Berlin (Germany). No usage data is transmitted to external services.
What distinguishes kew from Spotify? +
kew plays exclusively local files from a personal library, while Spotify streams from a central catalog. kew requires no account, no internet connection, and no subscription. Spotify offers a huge catalog with personalization, podcasts, and social features, while kew focuses on a fast, distraction-free player in the terminal.
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Entry verified on 11.05.2026