Hydrus Network organizes large media collections with tags instead of folders and can import files and tags from local storage or websites.
FreeOpen source
Hydrus
Hydrus Network manages large media libraries with tags, imports files and tags from local drives or websites, and supports user-run sharing servers.
About Hydrus
Hydrus Network is a personal, booru-style media tagger for large local file collections. It browses files by tags instead of folders, imports files and tags from local drives or popular websites, and supports audio and video playback through an mpv embed or a native Qt player. Some supported file types cannot be viewed inside the client, such as PDF, but any file can be opened with the operating system's default program.
The project describes itself as free, ad-free and not phoning home, and says it is aimed at internet-fluent users with collections of 10,000+ files. Sharing is optional and happens through user-run servers, which involve external services outside the local client. Executable releases are available for Windows and Linux, and the Python source can be run on Windows, Linux or macOS.
Key features
- Browses large media collections with tags instead of folders
- Imports files and tags from local hard drives and popular websites
- User-made downloaders parse tags and metadata from simple websites
- Subscriptions repeat gallery searches every few days for new results
- Audio and video playback via mpv embed or native Qt player
- Optional sharing of content and tags through user-run servers
Best for: Internet-fluent users with large (10,000+ file) media collections who want tag-based organization rather than folders, and who are comfortable with an advanced, non-polished tool.
Good for
- Stated as free with no ads
- Executable releases for Windows and Linux; source runs on Windows, Linux and macOS
- The program is described as never phoning home, with the user controlling everything
Watch out for
- Described by the project as advanced and not beautiful, so it is not for everyone
- Mostly a solo project; public pull requests are currently closed
- Some supported file types, such as PDF, cannot be viewed directly in the client
Hydrus at a glance
- Category
- Design & Creative › Stock Photos & Visuals
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Windows
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Hydrus FAQ
What platforms can Hydrus run on?
Executable releases are available for Windows and Linux. Because the program is written in Python, it can also be run from source on Windows, Linux or macOS.
Can content be shared with other users?
Yes. Content can be shared with other users through user-run servers, and users can choose to share tags anonymously through a public server.
Are all supported file types viewable in the client?
No. Some supported file types, such as PDF, cannot be viewed directly in the client, but it is easy to launch any file with the operating system's default program.
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