LollypopLinux
vs
Apple MusicWindows
Lollypop as a Linux alternative to Apple Music
Updated
Our verdict
Lollypop is not a replacement for Apple Music if you rely on the streaming service. It is a local music player, not a streaming client. It works well for users who own their music files and want a lightweight, GNOME-native player with good organization features. It handles local libraries, playlists, and metadata fetching effectively. However, it lacks integration with Apple Music streaming, iCloud sync, or radio stations tied to Apple’s ecosystem. If your primary use case is streaming Apple Music, you need a different solution, such as a web browser or a dedicated streaming client that supports Apple Music, which Lollypop does not provide.
- License
- GPL-3.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.4.48 (October 10, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Manages local music libraries and playlists
- Supports common audio formats like MP3, FLAC, and AAC
- Provides metadata fetching for artwork and lyrics
- Offers a desktop client for listening to music
What is different
- No streaming support for Apple Music or other online services
- No radio station or podcast integration
- No cloud sync or library synchronization across devices
- Focused on local file management rather than subscription-based access
Opening your Apple Music files
Lollypop plays standard audio files (MP3, FLAC, OGG, AAC) that you export from Apple Music. It does not handle DRM-protected files or Apple-specific container formats. If you have purchased tracks, you can import them if they are in a supported, non-DRM format. There is no direct export function from Apple Music to Lollypop; you must manually copy files to your Linux music directory.
Switching from Apple Music to Lollypop, step by step
- Export your local music files from your Windows machine to a USB drive or cloud storage.
- Copy the audio files to a designated music folder on your Linux system, such as ~/Music.
- Install Lollypop via your package manager or Flathub.
- Launch Lollypop and add your music folder to the library if not auto-detected.
- Organize playlists and check metadata accuracy using the online fetching feature.
- Test playback with ReplayGain enabled for consistent volume levels.
Key features of Lollypop
- Lightweight GNOME‑centric UI
- Party mode auto‑selects party playlists
- Fullscreen couch mode for remote control
- Online fetching of lyrics, artwork, biography
- Native ReplayGain support
- Supports common audio formats (MP3, FLAC, OGG, AAC)
How to install Lollypop on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Lollypopsudo apt install lollypopsudo apt install lollypopsudo dnf install lollypopsudo pacman -S lollypopsudo zypper install lollypopFrequently asked questions
Can I stream Apple Music directly in Lollypop?
No. Lollypop is a local player and does not include a streaming client for Apple Music or other services.
Does Lollypop support podcasts?
No. It is designed for music playback and does not have built-in podcast management features.
Is Lollypop available on major Linux distributions?
Yes. It is packaged for Arch, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, and Ubuntu, and is also available on Flathub.
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