Best Open-Source Media & Creativity Apps
This ranking lists four open-source media and creativity apps by GitHub star count, with OBS Studio leading at 73,442 stars. All tools support multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. OBS Studio and Audacity handle recording and editing, while Spotube and YouTube Music focus on streaming audio. Licenses vary from GPL-2.0 to MIT.
The apps serve different needs, from live streaming with OBS Studio to music playback via YouTube Music. Spotube stands out with mobile support for Android and iOS. Version numbers show active development across all projects. Each app is free to use under its respective open-source license.
| # | App | Stars | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OBS Studio | 73.4k | GPL-2.0 |
| 2 | Spotube | 47.2k | NOASSERTION |
| 3 | YouTube Music | 32.4k | MIT |
| 4 | Audacity | 17.3k | NOASSERTION |
OBS Studio is a free, open-source application for live streaming and screen recording. It supports multiple sources and real-time mixing for professional-quality broadcasts. The software is widely used for content creation and streaming across various platforms.
Spotube is an open-source music streaming application designed for desktop and mobile platforms. It provides a streamlined way to listen to music without ads or subscriptions. The app is community-driven and free to use.
YouTube Music is a media player extension that enhances music playback functionality. It integrates with existing music platforms for an improved listening experience. The tool focuses on streamlined access and playback features.
Audacity is an open-source audio editor for recording and editing sound. It supports various audio formats and effects.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the top pick in “Best Open-Source Media & Creativity Apps”?
- OBS Studio currently leads this list, which is ordered by GitHub stars among the 4 open-source options we track.
- Are these apps free?
- Yes. Every app on this list is free and open-source. Download links point to each project's official release.
- How is this ranking decided?
- The order reflects GitHub stars, a public measure of popularity. Data is pulled from official sources and last refreshed on Jun 26, 2026. We don't accept payment for placement.
How we rank:entries are ordered by GitHub stars, a public popularity signal. Versions, licenses and platform support are read from official release feeds. We don't accept payment for inclusion or position. Supported platforms reflect the latest release (macOS, Linux, Windows, Android, iOS).