MusicBrainz Picard

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.