puddletag

Free plan Linux

What puddletag is

Puddletag is a free audio tag editor made primarily for GNU/Linux, with a spreadsheet-like layout for editing music metadata. It can extract tag information from filenames, rename files using tag-based patterns, and edit tags directly. Functions handle text changes such as replacement, trimming, and case conversion, while Actions automate repetitive tasks. Supported formats include ID3v1 and ID3v2, MP4, VorbisComments, Musepack, Monkey’s Audio, and WavPack. Built-in sources provide album lookups through Amazon, Discogs, FreeDB, and MusicBrainz, and AcoustID fingerprint lookup is available with Chromaprint’s fpcalc binary. Retrieved metadata appears in Preview Mode and is not written to files until the user chooses to apply it. Tag sources are album-based, and FreeDB does not support textual searching in the documented workflow. Puddletag is licensed under GPLv3 and supports plugins, though its documentation warns that plugins are executable code and should come from trusted sources. Installation is documented from source, and the software is available through the Software Centre in recent Ubuntu versions. The download requirements include Python 3.8 or later, PyQt6, PyParsing 3.0 or later, and Mutagen 1.45 or later. Releases are described as very infrequent.

Who it suits

Puddletag suits GNU/Linux users who want to edit audio tags in batches or organize files using metadata. It may also suit users who want to preview album metadata before writing changes to files.

What it does well

Free and licensed under GPLv3.
Supports multiple audio tag formats.
Preview metadata before writing it to files.
Actions automate repetitive editing tasks.
Available through recent Ubuntu Software Centre versions.

What to know first

Primarily supports GNU/Linux.
AcoustID lookup requires Chromaprint’s fpcalc binary.
Tag sources are album-based.
Releases are very infrequent.

Verdict

Puddletag offers direct and batch tag editing with metadata previews for GNU/Linux users. Its installation requirements and infrequent releases are worth considering, particularly if you need AcoustID lookup or ongoing updates.

Facts from puddletag's own pages

AcoustID requirement: AcoustID fingerprint lookups require Chromaprint, specifically the fpcalc binary. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Batch work: Functions support text operations such as replacement, trimming, and case conversion, while Actions automate repetitive tasks. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Dependencies: The download page lists Python 3.8 or later, PyQt6, PyParsing 3.0 or later, and Mutagen 1.45 or later; Chromaprint 0.4 or later is optional for AcoustID support. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Downloads: The download page documents installing from source and says puddletag is available from the Software Centre in recent Ubuntu versions. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Editing: It can extract tag information from filenames, rename files based on tags using patterns, and edit tags directly. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Editing tools: Functions handle tasks such as text replacement, trimming, and case conversion, while Actions automate repetitive tasks. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
File formats: Supported formats include ID3v1 and ID3v2, MP4, VorbisComments, Musepack, Monkey’s Audio, and WavPack. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
File operations: It supports extracting tag information from filenames, renaming files from tags using patterns, and basic tag editing. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · docs.puddletag.net, 22 Sept 2026
License: Puddletag is licensed under GPLv3. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Maker information: The About page thanks contributors and library authors but does not state a maker name, headquarters, or founding date. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Metadata safety: Tag-source metadata is previewed, and puddletag does not write it to files until the user chooses to do so. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Metadata sources: Built-in tag sources support Amazon, Discogs, FreeDB, MusicBrainz, and AcoustID lookups. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Music libraries: The menu documentation says QuodLibet is the only supported music library for import. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Plugins: Plugins can extend puddletag, and the documentation warns that plugins are executable code and should only come from trustworthy sources. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Preview before writing: Retrieved metadata appears in Preview Mode, where users can review changes before writing them to files. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Product: Puddletag is an audio tag editor primarily created for GNU/Linux, with a spreadsheet-like layout for editing tags. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Release cadence: The maker says releases are very infrequent and lists version 2.0.1 as the latest version on the home page. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs users to check the documentation and report bugs or feedback through its GitHub issue tracker. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Support and release cadence: The maker directs users to the documentation and GitHub issue tracker for help and feedback, and says releases are very infrequent. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Supported formats: The home page lists ID3v1, ID3v2, MP4, VorbisComments, Musepack, Monkey’s Audio, and WavPack formats. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: GNU/Linux · docs.puddletag.net, 22 Sept 2026
Tag source limits: Tag sources are album based, and FreeDB does not support textual searching in the documented workflow. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026
Tag sources: The bundled tag sources include Amazon album art, Discogs XML, FreeDB, and MusicBrainz. · docs.puddletag.net, 12 Oct 2026

Where puddletag stands on Freedom251

Audio Editing Software#87 of 131