Rivendell

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

What Rivendell is

Rivendell is Linux-based software for managing, scheduling, and playing audio in professional radio environments. Its workflow covers audio library management, scheduled recording, on-air playout, log editing, and automated log generation. Full voicetracking and customizable logs are included, with support for PCM16, PCM24, and MPEG Layer 2 audio. Rivendell can run as a self-contained workstation or in multi-station clusters using centralized servers, redundancy, and hot-standby capabilities. Interfaces support audio routing switchers, satellite downlink receivers, mixing consoles, and commercial traffic or music scheduling systems. Audio adapter options include ALSA, AudioScience HPI adapters, and JACK. Touchscreen-friendly controls can run up to three full automation logs on one computer. RDCastManager manages podcast feeds and posts episodes. The software is available free of charge under GNU GPL version 2, with no dongles, unlock codes, or software keys. Its Ubuntu appliance guide advises disabling Secure Boot because some third-party drivers may fail to initialize.

Who it suits

Rivendell suits professional radio operations needing Linux or self-hosted broadcast automation. It can fit single workstations, clustered stations, and workflows that include podcast publishing.

What it does well

Audio library, recording, playout, and logs
Full voicetracking and log customization
Multi-station clustering with redundancy
Supports several broadcast interfaces
Free GNU GPL version 2 software

What to know first

Linux and self-hosted deployment
Secure Boot may need disabling
Provided without warranty
Professional broadcast focus

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	GNU GPL version 2 · no dongles, unlock codes or software keys	Free

As rivendellaudio.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Rivendell provides a broad radio automation workflow, from audio management through playout and podcast feeds. Its free GPLv2 licensing and cluster options are useful, but deployment requires Linux-oriented administration and attention to the Secure Boot guidance.

Facts from Rivendell's own pages

Audio formats: The product supports PCM16, PCM24 and MPEG Layer 2 audio formats. · rivendellaudio.com, 12 Oct 2026
Audio hardware: Supported audio adapter options include ALSA, AudioScience HPI adapters and the JACK audio framework. · opsguide.rivendellaudio.org, 12 Oct 2026
Broadcast workflow: Its modules include audio library management, scheduled recording, on-air playout, log editing and automated log generation. · opsguide.rivendellaudio.org, 12 Oct 2026
Deployment: Rivendell can run as a self-contained workstation or in multi-station clusters with centralized servers, redundancy and hot-standby capabilities. · opsguide.rivendellaudio.org, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · rivendellaudio.com, 22 Sept 2026
Integrations: The system supports interfaces for audio routing switchers, satellite downlink receivers, mixing consoles, and commercial traffic and music scheduling systems. · opsguide.rivendellaudio.org, 12 Oct 2026
On-air controls: The maker describes large, touchscreen-friendly controls and support for up to three full automation logs on one computer. · rivendellaudio.com, 12 Oct 2026
Podcasting: RDCastManager is a module for managing podcast feeds and posting episodes. · opsguide.rivendellaudio.org, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: Rivendell manages, schedules and plays out audio for professional radio broadcast environments. · rivendellaudio.com, 12 Oct 2026
Security: The Ubuntu appliance installation guide says Secure Boot should be disabled because some third-party drivers may otherwise fail to initialize. · rivendellaudio.com, 12 Oct 2026
Support: The maker lists an Operations and Administration Guide, a wiki, and a user mailing list for help and information. · rivendellaudio.com, 12 Oct 2026
Voice tracking: Rivendell includes full voicetracking and log customization. · rivendellaudio.com, 12 Oct 2026
Warranty: The guide states that Rivendell is provided under GPLv2 with no warranty, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. · opsguide.rivendellaudio.org, 12 Oct 2026