ExaileLinux
vs
Foobar2000Windows
Exaile as a Linux alternative to Foobar2000
Updated
Our verdict
Exaile can replace Foobar2000 for users who need a lightweight, customizable Linux audio player with decent library management and plugin support. It handles common formats, offers gapless playback, smart playlists, and low resource usage. However, it lacks some advanced DSP plugins and the same level of UI tweaking that Foobar2000 offers. It is best suited for Linux users who want a straightforward, open‑source solution with good internet radio and podcast support.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 4.1.2 (August 9, 2022)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both support MP3, FLAC, AAC and other common formats
- Both offer gapless playback
- Both allow extensive library tagging and management
- Both have plugin architectures for additional features
- Both provide playlist handling and smart playlist creation
What is different
- Exaile is GTK‑based; Foobar2000 uses a Windows API UI
- Foobar2000 has a more mature DSP and visualiser plugin ecosystem
- Foobar2000’s UI can be heavily customized with skins; Exaile’s UI is simpler
- Foobar2000 is a native Windows binary; Exaile is a native Linux binary
- Foobar2000 can run as a portable executable on Windows; Exaile relies on Linux package managers
Opening your Foobar2000 files
Foobar2000 uses its own .foobar2000 library files and playlist formats (.pls, .xspf). Exaile can open standard playlist formats like .m3u, .m3u8, .pls, and .xspf, so most playlists will import without issue. Library metadata is stored in a SQLite database; there is no direct import of Foobar2000’s proprietary database, but you can re‑import tracks and tags manually or via a script.
Switching from Foobar2000 to Exaile, step by step
- Export your Foobar2000 playlists to .m3u or .xspf format.
- Copy your music library folder to a location accessible by Exaile (e.g., ~/Music).
- Launch Exaile and use the Library > Add Folder feature to index the music directory.
- Import the exported playlists via File > Import Playlist.
- Install any desired Exaile plugins (e.g., ReplayGain, Last.fm) from the Plugin Manager.
Key features of Exaile
- Automatic album art and lyrics fetching
- Smart playlists with filtering and search
- Internet radio support (Icecast, Soma.FM)
- Extensible via 50+ plugins
- ReplayGain and secondary output for DJs
- Tabbed playlists
- Last.fm scrobbling
- Portable media player support
How to install Exaile on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.exaile.Exailesudo apt install exailesudo apt install exailesudo dnf install exailesudo zypper install exaileFrequently asked questions
Does Exaile support gapless playback?
Yes, Exaile handles gapless playback for most formats, matching Foobar2000’s capability.
Can I use Exaile on a portable USB drive?
Exaile can be run from a portable environment if you install it in a user‑local directory, but it is not a single‑file portable executable like Foobar2000.
Is Exaile actively maintained?
The latest release is 4.1.2 (2022‑08‑09) and it is available in major Linux distributions, indicating ongoing maintenance.
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