Koel

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted music streaming app for your personal library

Overview

Koel lets you stream your personal music library from anywhere. It supports multiple audio formats (MP3, FLAC, WAV), features a clean responsive UI, smart playlists, search, and user management. Deployment is easy via Docker (one command) or manual setup with PHP 8.1+, Node.js, and MySQL/MariaDB. It integrates with Last.fm for scrobbling, allows offline mobile listening, and gives full control over your music without third-party services like Spotify or Apple Music.

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:
  koel:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: koel
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Stream personal music library from any device
Docker & manual deployment options
Last.fm integration & smart playlists

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Koel hard to install?

Koel is easy to install using Docker (one-command setup) or manual installation with PHP 8.1+, Node.js, and a MySQL/MariaDB database. Official docs provide step-by-step guides for both methods.

? Is Koel a good alternative to Spotify for personal music?

Yes—Koel lets you stream your own library privately without ads or subscriptions. Unlike Spotify, it lacks discovery/curated playlists, but it’s ideal for full control over your music.

? Is Koel completely free?

Yes! Koel is open-source under the MIT License, so it’s free to use, modify, and self-host with no hidden costs or premium features.

Top Alternatives

Spotify (Personal Library) Search Google

Apple Music Search Google

Google Play Music Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Media Streaming - Audio Streaming

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no third-party tracking)
⊕ Supports multiple high-quality audio formats
⊕ Open-source with no subscription fees

Cons

⊖ Requires server setup (Docker or LAMP stack)
⊖ No built-in music discovery (relies on your library)
⊖ Mobile app not available on official app stores