mpd (Music Player Daemon)

Self-Hosted

Lightweight open-source audio streaming server and player daemon

Overview

mpd (Music Player Daemon) is a flexible, headless audio streaming server ideal for home media setups or headless systems. It supports diverse audio formats, gapless playback, playlists, and equalization. Controlled via CLI, GUI, or mobile clients, it streams music over networks to any connected device. Deployable via package managers (Linux), binaries (macOS/Windows), or Docker. Integrates with local storage or NAS, giving full control over your personal music library.

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:
  mpd_music_player_daemon:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: mpd-music-player-daemon
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Headless operation for remote/headless systems
Multi-client control (CLI, GUI, mobile apps)
Wide audio format support & gapless playback

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is mpd hard to install?

Installation is straightforward: use package managers (e.g., apt install mpd on Linux) or Docker images. Config involves editing mpd.conf to set music paths and network settings—manageable with basic technical knowledge.

? Is it a good alternative to Spotify Connect?

Yes, if you prefer streaming your own music collection over a subscription. mpd runs on your hardware, so you retain full file ownership and avoid data tracking unlike Spotify Connect.

? Is it completely free?

Absolutely. mpd is open-source under the GPL license, with no paid features or restrictions—all core functionality (streaming, playback, client support) is free to use.

Top Alternatives

Spotify Connect Search Google

Apple Music Home Sharing Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Media Streaming - Audio Streaming

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Lightweight resource footprint
⊕ Full ownership of music library
⊕ No subscription fees or data tracking

Cons

⊖ Requires separate client software to interact
⊖ Initial configuration may be technical for beginners
⊖ Limited built-in visualization tools