Icecast

A free streaming media server for running an internet radio station or a private audio stream.

FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted
Official websiteicecast.orgDownload pageicecast.orgDocumentationicecast.org

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About Icecast

Icecast is server software from Xiph.Org for streaming audio and video over the network. It supports Ogg (Vorbis and Theora), Opus, WebM and MP3 streams, and can serve anything from a public internet radio station to a private jukebox at home.

The current series is Icecast 2.5, which reads 2.4.x configuration files; support for 2.4.4 ends on 2026-12-31. Icecast only serves streams, so you pair it with a source client such as IceS or Ezstream to feed it audio.

Strengths

  • Supports Ogg Vorbis, Opus, WebM and MP3 streams
  • Long-running project maintained by Xiph.Org
  • Built on open standards, with room for new formats
  • Seamless upgrade path from 2.4.x configuration

Limitations

  • Needs a separate source client to send audio
  • Server configuration is aimed at technically comfortable users

Details

Pricing
FreeFree and open source under the GNU GPL version 2.
License
GPL-2.0
Developer
Xiph.Org Foundation
Platforms
Linux, Self-hosted
How it runs
Downloadable app, Self-hosted
Account
Not required
Best suited for
Hosting an internet radio station or private audio stream
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.

Alternatives to Icecast

Compare all

Software that can replace Icecast for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.

  • AzuraCast

    A self-hosted web radio suite for running internet radio stations with playlists and relays.

    FreeOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    AzuraCast is a full web radio suite installed through Docker, adding playlists, relays, multiple stations with permissions and embeddable player pages on top of basic stream serving.

  • LibreTime

    Open-source radio automation software that schedules shows and plays out audio for AM/FM or internet stations.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    LibreTime adds show scheduling, library management and playout to a transmitter or internet stream, so it covers station automation that Icecast leaves to a separate source client.

Similar software

Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.

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