Everything people ask before they install Sonikr.

Sonikr Media Hub is a local-first desktop application for organizing, browsing and playing a personal music collection. Your library is built from folders already on your computer or connected drives.

Yes. Sonikr Media Hub is currently free to use, with no subscription required.

Sonikr Media Hub runs on 64-bit Windows 10/11 and macOS 11 or later on Intel and Apple silicon Macs.

No. Core local library features work without an account. Signing in is only required for connected features such as Remote Access and Shared Links.

Add a readable local music folder and let Sonikr scan it into your library.

No. Your library is built from files that stay on your computer and connected drives. Sonikr does not copy or upload your media anywhere unless you deliberately use an optional sharing feature.

Yes. You add the specific local folders or connected drives you want included, and manage those sources at any time from within the app.

Yes. Sonikr provides dedicated views for albums, artists, tracks, playlists and favorites, so you're not limited to browsing raw file folders.

No. Removing a track from a playlist only removes the playlist reference. The original music file on disk is untouched.

Uninstalling removes the Sonikr application and its own library index and settings. It does not move, modify, or delete your original music files — they stay exactly where they already were on disk.

Yes. Sign in and turn on Remote Access on the host computer. The host computer needs to stay online while you access your library remotely from another device.

Yes, once your library is set up on a computer. Turn on Remote Access in Settings, then connect a compatible player on your phone.

Yes. Shared Links let you create temporary links for selected albums, tracks or playlists without exposing your whole library.

Open Shared Links in Sonikr and delete the link. Once deleted, it no longer provides access to the shared content.

No. Sonikr reads your existing music folders alongside whatever player or library app you already use. It doesn't take over file associations or require you to stop using another app, so you can run both side by side.

Yes. Browsing, playback, playlists, favorites, and search all work fully offline once your library is scanned. An internet connection is only needed for optional Remote Access and Shared Links.

Only you, by default. Nothing about your library is visible to anyone else unless you sign in and deliberately turn on Remote Access or create a Shared Link.

Plex and Jellyfin are self-hosted media servers designed to run continuously and be configured like a small home server. Sonikr is a single desktop app you install and use directly, with no server setup, and Remote Access is an optional toggle rather than the starting point.

Your files stay in the same folders either way, but Sonikr adds a visual, searchable library on top — albums, artists, playlists and favorites — instead of raw file names and paths.