Resources
Free Software and Tools for Community Radio Stations
Community radio stations often operate with limited budgets, volunteer teams and a mixture of new and older equipment. Fortunately, there are many genuinely free and open-source tools that can assist with radio automation, live streaming, audio editing, network monitoring, membership management and day-to-day station administration.
This guide focuses on tools that are actually free to download or use. Some self-hosted tools require a station to provide its own computer, server or web hosting, while others offer optional paid services or additional features.
Important: Free software does not necessarily mean that every associated service is free. A station may still need to pay for internet access, streaming bandwidth, server hosting, music licensing, technical support or compatible hardware.
Radio Automation and Playout Software
Radio automation software manages music, announcements, station IDs, sponsorship messages, scheduled programs and unattended broadcasting.
RadioDJ
RadioDJ is a free radio automation system for Windows. It is one of the most capable free options for stations looking for traditional studio-based music scheduling and automated playout.
RadioDJ can provide:
- Automated music and program playout
- Music categories and rotations
- Scheduled events and announcements
- Jingles, sweepers and station IDs
- Automatic transitions between audio items
- Now-playing information
- Plugin support
- Multiple audio outputs and auxiliary players
- Internet streaming through compatible encoders
RadioDJ runs on Windows and uses a database to store its music library, rotations and scheduling information. It is free to use, although it is not an open-source application.
Best suited to: Community stations wanting a free Windows-based studio automation system.
LibreTime
LibreTime is a free and open-source radio automation and scheduling platform. It can be used for terrestrial broadcasting, online radio or a combination of both.
LibreTime includes:
- Web-based program scheduling
- Automated audio playout
- Playlists and smart blocks
- Remote media uploads
- Live presenter streaming
- Program calendars
- Stream output for online broadcasting
- Support for multiple station users
Because LibreTime is controlled through a web browser, authorised presenters and volunteers can prepare programs and upload audio remotely.
LibreTime normally runs on a Linux server, virtual machine or compatible hosted server. The software is free and open source, but a station needs to provide and maintain the server on which it runs.
Best suited to: Stations wanting remote scheduling, browser-based management and open-source automation.
Rivendell
Rivendell is a complete open-source radio broadcast automation system.
It includes tools for:
- Audio library management
- Program and music scheduling
- Live-assist presentation
- Automated playout
- Audio recording and ingestion
- Cart walls and instant-play audio
- Logs and scheduled events
- Integration with professional broadcast hardware
Rivendell is a powerful platform, but it is more technically involved than many desktop automation systems. It is primarily designed for Linux and is best installed and maintained by someone familiar with Linux, audio routing and broadcast systems.
Best suited to: Technically capable stations seeking a professional open-source broadcast automation platform.
OpenBroadcaster
OpenBroadcaster is an open-source broadcast automation, scheduling and streaming system designed for radio, television and community media organisations.
It can provide:
- Automated radio playout
- Web-based scheduling
- Playlist management
- Remote station control
- Audio and video streaming
- Emergency and public information playback
- Support for distributed broadcast sites
- Operation on compatible low-power computers
OpenBroadcaster can be useful for stations with remote transmitter sites, unattended services or community information channels.
Best suited to: Community broadcasters needing remotely managed automation or distributed playout.
Internet Radio Automation and Stream Management
AzuraCast
AzuraCast is a free and open-source, self-hosted internet radio management platform.
AzuraCast combines several parts of an online radio system into one web-based interface, including:
- Automatic music and playlist scheduling
- Icecast-compatible streaming
- Web-based media management
- Individual presenter or DJ accounts
- Live presenter connections
- Listener statistics
- Now-playing information
- Public station pages
- Embeddable web players
- Application programming interfaces for website integration
The software itself is free. A station must install it on a compatible server or virtual machine and cover any server and bandwidth costs.
Best suited to: Stations wanting to operate an online radio service or add a managed internet stream to an existing FM service.
Icecast
Icecast is free and open-source streaming server software. It receives audio from a station encoder and distributes that stream to listeners.
Icecast supports common streaming formats including:
- MP3
- Ogg Vorbis
- Opus
- WebM
Icecast is the streaming server rather than the studio automation or encoding application. A complete setup generally requires:
- Audio from the studio or automation system
- An encoder such as BUTT or Mixxx
- An Icecast server
- A website player or listening application
The software is free, but stations must provide sufficient server capacity and internet bandwidth for their listeners.
Best suited to: Stations wanting complete control of their internet radio streaming server.
Free Live Streaming Clients and Encoders
A streaming encoder takes audio from a studio computer, mixer, microphone or sound card and sends it to an Icecast, Shoutcast or compatible streaming server.
BUTT: Broadcast Using This Tool
BUTT is a free and open-source audio streaming client for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Despite its unusual name, it is one of the simplest and most useful tools for sending live studio audio to an internet streaming server.
BUTT can:
- Connect to Icecast servers
- Connect to Shoutcast servers
- Connect to compatible WebRTC services
- Stream audio from a microphone or line input
- Record a local copy of the broadcast
- Automatically reconnect after a connection interruption
- Update stream title information
- Run on Windows, macOS and Linux
BUTT does not provide radio automation or playlist playout. Its main purpose is to encode live audio from a sound input and send it to a streaming server.
Best suited to: Live outside broadcasts, remote presenters, studio streaming and emergency backup streaming.
Mixxx
Mixxx is free and open-source DJ software for Windows, macOS and Linux. It can also broadcast directly to compatible Icecast and Shoutcast streaming servers.
Mixxx includes:
- Multiple audio decks
- Music library management
- Microphone input
- Internet broadcasting
- Automatic beat and tempo detection
- Crossfading and audio effects
- MIDI controller support
- Recording of live programs
Mixxx can be particularly useful for music programs, outside broadcasts and presenters working from home. It can combine music, microphone audio and other sources before sending the final program to the station’s streaming server.
Mixxx is designed primarily as DJ software rather than a full radio station automation system.
Best suited to: Live music programs, remote presenters, specialist music shows and online broadcasting.
Audio Recording and Production
Audacity
Audacity is a free and open-source multitrack audio recorder and editor available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Community radio stations can use Audacity to:
- Record interviews and voice tracks
- Edit pre-recorded programs
- Create station IDs and promotional announcements
- Remove unwanted sections from recordings
- Adjust volume levels
- Apply fades and basic audio processing
- Combine voices, music and sound effects
- Export completed programs in common audio formats
Audacity is useful for volunteers because it is relatively easy to learn and has extensive online documentation and tutorials.
Best suited to: Interviews, podcasts, program editing, sponsorship announcements and general audio production.
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source media player for Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile devices.
VLC can be useful around a radio station for:
- Checking audio files before broadcast
- Listening to internet radio streams
- Testing stream URLs
- Playing uncommon audio and video formats
- Converting compatible media files
- Monitoring a station stream on a separate computer
- Testing multicast and network media sources
VLC supports a wide range of file formats and streaming protocols, making it a valuable troubleshooting tool.
Best suited to: Stream monitoring, file checking, format testing and general media playback.
Video Streaming and Visual Radio
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming.
A community radio station can use OBS Studio for:
- Streaming studio cameras to YouTube or Facebook
- Creating a visual radio service
- Recording video interviews
- Streaming station events and outside broadcasts
- Displaying presenter names and program information
- Combining cameras, logos, web pages and graphics
- Recording training and instructional videos
OBS Studio supports scenes, overlays, multiple cameras, audio sources and external plugins. Stations should ensure they have permission to stream any music, images or video included in a broadcast.
Best suited to: Visual radio, live events, video interviews and social media streaming.
Station Management and Administration
StationLog
StationLog is a free, all-in-one station management and compliance platform designed specifically for Australian community radio stations.
StationLog can help manage:
- Listener complaints and feedback
- Technical fault reports
- Maintenance records
- Equipment registers
- Cable registers
- Program guides
- Station procedures and information
- Compliance records and reports
- AGM elections and voting
The core platform is free for community radio stations. Optional services, such as SMS alerts or premium election features, may attract a charge.
StationLog can replace disconnected spreadsheets, paper forms, emails, Post-it notes and group-chat messages with one organised station record.
Best suited to: Australian community stations needing a central system for operations, faults and compliance records.
Create a Free StationLog Account
NOXMembership
NOXMembership is a free membership management platform for community organisations, clubs and associations.
Community radio stations can use it to:
- Maintain an organised membership database
- Record contact information
- Track membership status
- Manage membership renewals
- Collect membership payments
- Send automated renewal reminders
- Reduce manual membership administration
- Maintain member directories and records
The core membership management platform is free. Payment processors may charge their normal transaction fees when a station accepts online payments.
Best suited to: Stations wanting to replace membership spreadsheets and manually tracked renewals.
Network Monitoring and Diagnostic Tools
Wireshark
Wireshark is a free and open-source network protocol analyser. It allows authorised technicians to capture and inspect network traffic in detail.
Wireshark may assist with investigating:
- Audio-over-IP problems
- Broadcast automation network issues
- Studio-to-transmitter link faults
- Streaming interruptions
- Slow or unreliable network connections
- Devices making unexpected network connections
- Multicast and network audio configuration
Wireshark is a specialised technical tool. Captured network traffic may contain sensitive information, so it should only be used by authorised personnel on networks the station owns or has permission to manage.
Best suited to: Experienced technicians diagnosing difficult network and streaming problems.
Advanced IP Scanner
Advanced IP Scanner is a free Windows application that scans a local network and identifies connected devices.
It can help station technicians:
- Locate computers and servers
- Find printers and network equipment
- Identify device IP addresses
- Locate codecs and streaming appliances
- Find transmitters and remote-control interfaces
- Access compatible shared folders
- Connect to computers using compatible remote-access tools
Best suited to: Quickly locating equipment on a Windows-based station network.
Angry IP Scanner
Angry IP Scanner is a free and open-source network scanner for Windows, macOS and Linux.
It can identify:
- Active network devices
- IP addresses
- Device hostnames
- Open network ports
- Basic device connection information
It is a useful cross-platform alternative to Advanced IP Scanner.
Best suited to: Stations using a mixture of Windows, macOS and Linux computers.
Uptime Kuma
Uptime Kuma is a free and open-source monitoring system that a station can install on its own server or compatible computer.
Uptime Kuma can monitor:
- Station websites
- Internet radio streams
- Studio servers
- Remote transmitter interfaces
- Routers and network devices
- Automation system web interfaces
- Internet connections
- Other critical station services
It provides a visual dashboard, service history and notifications when a monitored service becomes unavailable.
Uptime Kuma should not be exposed directly to the public internet without appropriate security controls.
Best suited to: Stations wanting automatic warnings when websites, streams or equipment become unavailable.
Which Free Radio Tools Should a Station Start With?
A practical starter set for a small community station could include:
| Station Requirement | Suggested Free Tool |
|---|---|
| Windows radio automation | RadioDJ |
| Open-source radio automation | LibreTime or Rivendell |
| Internet radio management | AzuraCast |
| Streaming server | Icecast |
| Live audio encoder | BUTT |
| Remote music presenter | Mixxx |
| Audio recording and editing | Audacity |
| Visual radio and video streaming | OBS Studio |
| Station operations and compliance | StationLog |
| Membership management | NOXMembership |
| Stream and service monitoring | Uptime Kuma |
Security and Operational Considerations
Before installing any new station software:
- Confirm that it is compatible with the station’s computers and operating systems.
- Download applications only from the official project website.
- Back up station databases, audio libraries and configurations.
- Test new software away from the live broadcast system first.
- Use separate accounts for administrators and presenters.
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Apply software and security updates regularly.
- Do not expose control panels directly to the internet without appropriate protection.
- Document server addresses, usernames, configurations and recovery procedures securely.
- Ensure more than one authorised person understands the system.
Stations should also check licensing requirements before broadcasting music, syndicated programs or other copyrighted material. Free software does not remove the need for appropriate broadcast, music or content licences.
Manuals and Other Useful Files
Are you searching for a comprehensive resource hub to support your station operations?
Access exclusive member resources including user manuals, equipment diagrams, technical guides, configuration examples and other practical files curated to support community radio broadcasting and station operations.
These resources may include:
- Equipment user manuals
- Studio wiring and connection diagrams
- Radio automation instructions
- Streaming configuration guides
- Transmitter and studio reference material
- Technical troubleshooting documents
- Station templates and operational resources
The detailed resources below are available exclusively to members.
To display the Members only link please sign in.
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