MusicBrainz Picard
MetaBrainz Foundation / Picard contributors · An album-oriented audio tagger that matches files to MusicBrainz releases using metadata, AcoustID fingerprints and CD information.
MusicBrainz Picard is a Audio & Video app for Mac. It needs macOS 13 or later.
About
MusicBrainz Picard is the official MusicBrainz audio tagger. It helps music collectors and library maintainers identify recordings and apply consistent album metadata, filenames and cover art across a collection. Its album-oriented workflow is particularly useful when several editions of the same release exist.
Tagging and matching
- Match files with MusicBrainz release metadata and inspect the result before saving.
- Identify recordings from audio fingerprints through AcoustID.
- Look up CDs and use disc information to choose a release.
- Edit tags across supported formats, including MP3, FLAC, Ogg, M4A and WAV.
- Download cover art and organize filenames or folders with naming scripts.
- Extend workflows with plugins, custom scripts and configurable release preferences.
Installing and running
Download the official DMG matching your CPU and macOS version, copy Picard to Applications and launch it, or use brew install --cask musicbrainz-picard. The catalog's composite 3.0,13.0 refers to Picard 3.0 with a macOS 13.0 minimum; it is not a second application version. The exact catalog arm64 DMG is 60,766,486 bytes, verified by HEAD against the official MusicBrainz distribution URL. The official download page now lists 3.0.1, while this catalog still records 3.0; download size here matches the current package artifact; release notes separately cover history versions 3.0.1, 3.0 and 2.13.3.
Picard 3's current macOS downloads require macOS 13 or later and offer Apple Silicon and Intel packages. Older 2.13.3 packages have different compatibility and should not be substituted as evidence for the current arm64 build. The checked official sources do not state a numeric minimum RAM. Large libraries, embedded artwork and many simultaneous matches can use substantial memory; process manageable batches. The packaged application supplies its runtime, whereas source builds need Python, Qt and the documented build dependencies. Linux and Windows packages are also available. The cask declares no named conflict.
Accounts, network and licensing
Picard is free and open source under GPL-2.0-or-later. Ordinary MusicBrainz lookups and local tagging do not require buying a license or a cloud subscription. Network access is needed for MusicBrainz matches, AcoustID lookup, cover-art downloads and plugin/update retrieval. Local edits and already-loaded data have a narrower offline workflow. Submitting fingerprints or editing MusicBrainz data involves the corresponding account, API credentials and service terms. Provider requests can reveal recording identifiers or lookup information; review what an enabled plugin sends rather than assuming every extension is local.
File access and safe workflows
Allow write access to intended audio folders. Saving tags can overwrite metadata, embed artwork and rename or move files according to scripts. Back up originals and check matches, edition, disc numbers and destination paths before saving a batch. Fingerprint matches can identify a recording without identifying the exact release edition. Avoid applying a naming script or untrusted plugin to your only copy of a library. Plugins execute code and can expand network or file access. The checked installation sources do not establish a need for blanket Accessibility or Screen Recording authorization. Verify playback compatibility after tag-format changes and preserve meaningful custom fields.
Sources: Official product, Downloads and compatibility, Documentation, Tagged source README, Official releases.
New What’s new in 3.0.2 Oct 11 · OpenNavo editorial
- ChangesFixes audio-player link styling and a persistent gray metadata background.
Install and uninstall
Homebrew installs the app in your Applications folder.
Install without Homebrew
Download the file Homebrew uses for your chip: Apple siliconIntel
SHA-256 only checks that the download is complete; it is not a security certification. See the SHA-256 and download address
$ brew uninstall --cask \musicbrainz-picardA regular uninstall removes the app and keeps its settings and caches.
$ brew uninstall --zap --cask \musicbrainz-picard--zap also deletes the settings, caches and other files listed in the Homebrew definition. They can include data shared with other apps and cannot be restored, and it does not guarantee that nothing is left.See which files are removed
Facts and sources
- Version 3.0.2
- Released by the vendor on Oct 11
Questions
Is MusicBrainz Picard safe?
MusicBrainz Picard is in Homebrew’s official catalog and has not been disabled. Since September 2026, Homebrew disables apps that fail macOS Gatekeeper checks. When installing, Homebrew checks the download from data.musicbrainz.org against its SHA-256 checksum. It was installed 315 times through Homebrew in the last 30 days.
Is MusicBrainz Picard open source?
MusicBrainz Picard’s source code is public on GitHub (metabrainz/picard) under the GPL-2.0 license.
How do I completely uninstall MusicBrainz Picard on a Mac?
Run brew uninstall --cask musicbrainz-picard. It quits the app. To delete its settings and caches as well, run brew uninstall --zap --cask musicbrainz-picard. That also deletes 5 files and folders, including ~/.
Does MusicBrainz Picard run on Apple silicon (M1 and later) Macs?
Yes. Homebrew downloads separate builds for Apple silicon and Intel Macs. It needs macOS 13 or later.
Where does MusicBrainz Picard store its settings and data?
Its settings are in ~/. Its data is in ~/ and ~/. These locations come from Homebrew’s clean-up list.
What is the latest version of MusicBrainz Picard?
The latest version is 3.0.2. Run brew upgrade --cask musicbrainz-picard to update it.