Roon

Roon is a music management and playback software platform designed to organize a digital music library and stream audio to multiple devices across a home network. It combines local files, network storage, and streaming catalogues, offering rich metadata, synchronized multi-room playback, and an integrated browsing experience for artists, albums, credits, and artwork. The software is aimed at enthusiasts who value detailed metadata and high-fidelity playback.

Roon uses a three-part architecture consisting of a Core, Remotes, and Endpoints. The Core serves as the central database and playback engine, indexing files on local disks or NAS and integrating streaming catalogs. Remotes are control apps used on smartphones, tablets, and computers to manage playback and monitor status. Endpoints are networked audio devices that receive streams via the RAAT protocol, enabling synchronized playback across zones and rooms.

Key features include extensive metadata enrichment, advanced search and focus tools, curated playlists, and robust multi-room capabilities. The built-in digital signal processing engine provides upsampling, volume leveling, and equalization, along with flexible routing for complex playback setups. Roon can integrate with streaming services such as Tidal and Qobuz and can index local libraries across Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. It emphasizes high-quality metadata presentation and a seamless, interconnected listening experience across compatible devices.

Roon is offered on a subscription model with a free trial. The Core runs on consumer hardware or on dedicated devices such as Roon’s own Nucleus, while control apps are available for iOS, Android, and desktop platforms. The software is proprietary and not open-source, and Roon positions itself as a holistic solution for cataloging, discovering, and delivering high-fidelity audio throughout a networked setup.