Funkwhale

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted audio streaming platform with federation

Overview

Funkwhale is a free, open-source audio streaming service that lets you host, stream, and share your music and podcast library privately or publicly. It supports federation via ActivityPub, so you can connect with other Funkwhale instances to discover and share content. Features include playlists, favorites, radio stations, and Subsonic API compatibility for mobile client access. Deploy easily with Docker Compose or traditional methods, giving you full control over your data instead of relying on SaaS platforms like Spotify. Ideal for music lovers who value privacy and ownership.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  funkwhale:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: funkwhale
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Federated audio streaming via ActivityPub
Subsonic API support for mobile clients
Custom playlists and radio stations
Full control over your audio library and data

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Funkwhale hard to install?

Funkwhale is easy to install using Docker Compose (recommended). Official docs provide step-by-step guides for Docker, traditional deployments, and cloud hosting. Beginners will find Docker setup straightforward with pre-configured containers, though basic server knowledge (managing Docker) is helpful.

? Is it a good alternative to Spotify?

Yes! Funkwhale is ideal if you want full control over your audio library and privacy. Unlike Spotify, it lets you host your own music/podcasts and connect with federated instances. It lacks Spotify’s curated playlists but excels for users who own their content or prefer open-source solutions.

? Is it completely free?

Funkwhale is 100% free and open-source (AGPLv3 license). There are no paid tiers—you only cover server hosting costs if you self-host. All core features are available without restrictions.

Top Alternatives

Spotify Compare

Apple Music Search Google

Tidal Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Media Streaming - Audio Streaming

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no third-party data collection)
⊕ Federation to connect with other instances
⊕ Works with popular Subsonic mobile apps

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server setup (Docker or manual)
⊖ Federation features have a small learning curve
⊖ No licensed mainstream music library like SaaS alternatives