DeaDBeeF is an audio player software available for Windows, Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. An ad-supported Android version is available, but has not been updated since 2017. DeaDBeeF is free and open-source software, except on Android.
The player was first published in August 2009. Its author cited dissatisfaction with existing music players under Linux as the main reason for writing DeaDBeeF. The name is a reference to the magic number 0xDEADBEEF.
Among DeaDBeeF's functionalities are included:
What is DeaDBeeF?
DeaDBeeF by DeaDBeeF is open-source Windows software in the music players category. It ranks 22nd by popularity among music players in this catalogue. The first release dates back to 2009. It is written in C++ and C. Besides Windows, it is available for GNU/Linux, Android and Unix-like operating system. Its interface is available in 47 languages.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (Inno Setup) installers for 64-bit Windows. The main installer is 42.0 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 1.10.0, released on March 26, 2025. The version history goes back to July 4, 2021: 7 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 1.9 releases a year. The last update is more than a year old.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 3,169 times. The source code on GitHub (DeaDBeeF-Player/deadbeef) has 1,980 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 8 of our languages. On Windows it registers 119 file types, including .mp3, .mp4, .wav, .flac and .ogg. Similar programs include Spotify, iTunes and foobar2000.
Project description on GitHub: “DeaDBeeF Player”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Opens 119 file types
- Also runs on GNU/Linux, Android and Unix-like operating system
- Mature project (since 2009)
- Interface in 47 languages
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
- No update for more than a year
In short: DeaDBeeF is an open-source music player tool for 64-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Screenshots
Is DeaDBeeF safe to download?
- The file is served by sourceforge.net, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
A97DE1941145DAAE62695782F60821FE15A09260E3654044FC42944BC185BFBC· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 7 versions ›7 versions over 4 years · about 1.9 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.10.0Latest | March 26, 2025 | 42.0 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.9.6 | November 7, 2023 | 39.7 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.9.5 | February 19, 2023 | 39.4 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.9.3 | November 7, 2022 | 38.3 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.9.1 | May 14, 2022 | 38.1 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.9.0 | May 13, 2022 | 38.0 MB | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup)64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 1.8.7 | July 4, 2021 | 33.0 MB | Any CPU EXE (Inno Setup) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id DeaDBeeF.DeaDBeeF -echoco install deadbeef.install -yscoop install extras/deadbeefdownload /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART /SP-Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- DeaDBeeF
- Category
- Music players
- Licence
- GPL-2.0-or-later, LGPL-2.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/DeaDBeeF-Player/deadbeef
- Written in
- C++ and C
- Interface languages
- English, Belarusian, Bulgar, Bangla, Catalan, and Czech +41 more
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (Inno Setup)
- Other platforms
- GNU/Linux, Android, Unix-like operating system
- Version
- 1.10.0
- Released
- March 26, 2025
- First release
- 2009
- Added to the catalogue
- July 4, 2021
- Versions listed
- 7
- Updates / year
- 1.9
- Chocolatey downloads
- 3,169
- GitHub stars
- 1,980
- GitHub forks
- 215
- Website
- sourceforge.net
- winget ID
- DeaDBeeF.DeaDBeeF
- Chocolatey package
- deadbeef.install
- Scoop package
- extras/deadbeef
File types it opens (119)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to DeaDBeeF
See all ›-
Proprietary5.4M ↓ -
iTunes12.13.11.1iTunes offers the world’s best way to play — and add to — your collection of music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.Proprietary2.9M ↓ -
Free409.5K ↓ -
Open source21K ↓ -
Open source80.9K ↓ -
Open source15.7K ↓ -
Proprietary47.1K ↓ -
Proprietary697.4K ↓
Frequently asked questions
Is DeaDBeeF free?
Yes. DeaDBeeF is open-source software under the GPL-2.0-or-later, LGPL-2.0-or-later licence.
Is DeaDBeeF safe to download?
The download comes from sourceforge.net, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install DeaDBeeF with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can DeaDBeeF be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does DeaDBeeF run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of DeaDBeeF?
The versions page lists all 7 versions with links to their official installer files, back to July 4, 2021.
Can I use DeaDBeeF without administrator rights?
Yes, there is a per-user installer that does not need administrator rights.
What are alternatives to DeaDBeeF?
Spotify, iTunes, foobar2000, Clementine and Mixxx. The alternatives page compares them.
