Software Alternatives & Startups

ncmpcpp VS rmpc

Compare ncmpcpp VS rmpc and see what are their differences

ncmpcpp

Ncurses Music Player Client (Plus Plus)

ncmpcpp Landing page
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0 reviews
rmpc

Rmpc is a beautiful, modern and configurable terminal based Music Player Daemon client. It is heavily inspired by ncmpcpp and ranger/lf file managers.

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Which is more popular?

Audio Player popularity
54% vs 46%
alternatives listed
31 vs 26

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

ncmpcpp
r
rmpc
Website rybczak.net mierak.github.io
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

ncmpcpp 5 features
r
rmpc 4 features
  • Feature-rich
    ncmpcpp offers a wide range of features including a media library, playlist management, cover art display, and support for Last.fm, allowing users extensive control over their music experience.
  • Customizability
    The application allows users to customize its appearance and behavior extensively, making it adaptable to individual preferences and workflows.
  • Lightweight
    ncmpcpp is lightweight and efficient, using minimal system resources while providing powerful features, making it suitable for use on older hardware.
  • Keyboard-Driven Interface
    Designed for keyboard use, ncmpcpp offers keyboard shortcuts for nearly all of its functions, allowing for fast and efficient control by experienced users.
  • Integration with MPD
    As a client for the Music Player Daemon (MPD), ncmpcpp offers seamless integration, allowing users to control their MPD music servers directly.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find ncmpcpp challenging to learn due to its text-based interface and extensive use of keyboard shortcuts.
  • Limited Support for Non-MPD Contexts
    ncmpcpp is specifically designed as a client for MPD, so it lacks utility and integration features for users not using MPD.
  • Lack of Modern UI
    The text-based interface may be off-putting to users accustomed to graphical interfaces, potentially making it less visually appealing.
  • Configuration Complexity
    While customizable, the process of configuring and fine-tuning ncmpcpp to specific needs can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Dependency on MPD
    Since ncmpcpp is dependent on MPD, issues with MPD or incompatibility with certain versions could affect ncmpcpp's functionality.
  • Decentralization
    rMPC ensures that data and computation are spread across multiple nodes, minimizing the risk of single points of failure and increasing the resilience of the system.
  • Privacy
    The protocol enhances privacy by distributing the data and computations such that no single node can access the entirety of the information, protecting user data from unauthorized access.
  • Scalability
    rMPC is designed to handle an increasing number of participants and data size efficiently, making it suitable for larger-scale applications.
  • Security
    By using cryptographic techniques, rMPC ensures that even if a portion of the network is compromised, the integrity of the data and computations is maintained.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity
    The system can be complex to set up and manage, requiring significant expertise in cryptography and distributed systems.
  • Resource Intensive
    The protocol may require more computational and communication resources compared to centralized systems, leading to higher operational costs.
  • Latency
    Due to the distributed nature of the system, there might be higher latency in processing compared to centralised systems, which may affect real-time applications.
  • Development Overhead
    Developing applications on top of rMPC may involve additional overhead to ensure compatibility and optimization, slowing down the development process.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

ncmpcpp
r
rmpc

No analysis of ncmpcpp yet.

Overall verdict

  • rmpc is a well-regarded modern terminal-based MPD (Music Player Daemon) client that offers a polished TUI experience with strong features like album art support, making it a solid choice for command-line music enthusiasts.

Why this product is good

  • Modern, actively maintained TUI client for MPD written in Rust for performance and reliability
  • Supports album art display in the terminal, including protocols like Kitty, iTerm2, and Sixel
  • Highly configurable with a Ranger-inspired, keyboard-driven interface
  • Includes useful features like lyrics support, playlist management, and customizable themes
  • Lightweight and resource-efficient, ideal for running in a terminal environment

Recommended for

  • Users who already run or want to use MPD as their music server backend
  • Terminal and command-line enthusiasts who prefer keyboard-driven interfaces
  • People who want album art and a rich visual experience within a TUI
  • Linux and Unix users looking for a lightweight, customizable music player
  • Vim/Ranger users who appreciate modal, keyboard-centric navigation

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

ncmpcpp 3 videos + Add
r
rmpc 2 videos + Add

Ncmpcpp: The Best MPD Client With The Worst Name

More videos

  • Review - Spotify + Mopidy + ncmpcpp = The most Linux way to listen to Spotify!
  • Review - Linux Language Learning Workflow (Part 1: mpd, ncmpcpp + trans with Assimil)

RMPC#2: Kong Skull Island Review, The Secret Life of Bees & More

More videos

  • Review - RMPC BEACH RESORT | Samal (short review)

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
ncmpcpp
r
rmpc
54% 54%
46% 46%
54% 54%
46% 46%
55% 55%
45% 45%
49% 49%
51% 51%

User comments

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Alternatives to ncmpcpp and rmpc

When comparing ncmpcpp and rmpc, you can also consider the following products.