Parole

What is Parole?

Parole is a media player built around the Xfce desktop environment, using GStreamer for backend support. It's lightweight and stable, with development starting in the late 2000s and ongoing maintenance in major distributions. While not as feature-rich as full-featured players, it's reliable for everyday use.

It's best suited for users who want a no-frills way to play back audio and video files without installing heavy software. If you're used to Windows Voice Recorder but now need basic media playback on Linux — especially for quick viewing or listening — Parole fits that role with minimal distractions.

Compared to Windows Voice Recorder, Parole doesn't record audio — it only plays back media. It feels more like a minimal version of Windows Media Player than a recorder. If you're expecting voice recording functionality, you'll need to pair it with another tool like Audacity or xfce4-notifyd.

Best for: Basic audio and video playback on Xfce-based Linux systems.

Key features of Parole

• Plays common audio and video formats via GStreamer
• Simple, clean interface with playlist support
• Supports drag-and-drop of media files
• Basic playback controls (play, pause, stop, seek)
• Fullscreen mode for video
• Lightweight and fast startup
• Integrated with Xfce desktop environment
• Displays basic media information

Tips for Windows users

Parole doesn't record audio — use it only for playback. It supports formats like MP3, OGG, MP4, and AVI through GStreamer plugins. Common shortcuts like Space (play/pause) and arrow keys work. If you were using Windows Voice Recorder for playback, switch to Parole for media files but use a separate app like Audacity or GNOME Sound Recorder for voice recording.