TuxGuitar for Windows

Used TuxGuitar for Windows?

TuxGuitar Analysis

AI Assisted Content · February 21, 2026

Not written by CNET Staff.

TuxGuitar is a versatile multimedia application designed for musicians, providing a full-featured environment for creating and playing music compositions. This software supports various tablature formats and offers a range of tools that cater to both novices and experienced users. Its interface is clean and intuitive, making it accessible for users to compose music using a virtual guitar fretboard or piano keyboard. Additionally, TuxGuitar includes a built-in player that allows users to listen to their compositions as they work, enhancing the creative process.

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While TuxGuitar may appear complex at first glance, especially for beginners, it is equipped with a comprehensive help section and documentation that can assist users in navigating its many features. The application supports import and export for GP3, GP4, and GP5 file formats, ensuring compatibility with other music software. Despite the initial learning curve, TuxGuitar's extensive capabilities make it a valuable tool for anyone looking to explore music composition.

TuxGuitar for Windows

Used TuxGuitar for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: November 1, 2009

Latest update: February 21, 2026

Version: 2.1.0

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Also available in:

Android
Mac

Operating System

Windows 10
Windows 98
Windows 95
Windows 2003
Windows ME
Windows 11
Windows NT
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows XP
Windows 98 SE
Windows 2000
Windows 8

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 98,596

Downloads Last Week: 4

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Program available in other languages

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.3/5

12 User Votes

Nice free alternative to Guitar Pro
dimensionless99October 26, 2011
Pros
Compatible with Power Tab and Guitar Pro files
Cons
Simply cannot get the sound to work, even after troubleshooting for 2 hours. Invasive UI with limited space to view the actual tab.
Summary
Very nice software for music transcription
The_DefenestratorAugust 20, 2010
Pros
I've really liked this software for reading and writing tabs. I primarily use the Mac version 1.2 (available from website only - for some reason not offered here at download.com), and it works well. The fact that it's free works well for me too.
Cons
Can someone show me how to set up alternate tunings? I haven't been able to find that function.
Summary
<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Sep 27, 2010<p/>All right - I found the guitar tunings bit. One more note: a drawback of the Mac version compared to the Windows versions is that you cannot have more than one file open at a time. That's a handy feature that only seems available in the Windows release.
Great software for ALL musicians.
MrCoffeeMakerJuly 25, 2010
Pros
Easiest way to learn a song! This program works exceedingly well, and has all kinds of features. Very easy to use.
Cons
If I were to be super picky I'd say the instruments sounds aren't 100% convincing, but the only real con isn't with the software itself, but that when learning a song written out by someone else you have to rely on that person's accuracy.
Summary
Not just for guitarists. If your instrument is used in a song, you can find the .gp- file with all the instrumentation written out. You can open .gp3, .gp4 and .gp5 files with it. It works as kind-of a "follow the bouncing ball" type thing, it plays the song as you read it. Very easy to write your own stuff or learn a song from someone else. It allows you to slow down or speed up the tempo, loop phrases, it has a "learning" feature that allows you to start at a slower tempo and gradually speed up as you go. For an exhaustive list of songs along with a .gp- file for them I suggest ultimate-guitar dot com.
Ohhh Wow !!!!
benwah001February 2, 2010
Pros
Wrote my first bar 10 mins after installing on Vista SP2 & reading 2 pages of the help manual Wish everything worked this well outta the box This is FREE ????
Cons
Can't Imagine !
Summary
Toolbars seem pretty much self explanitory, Just installed 30 mins ago, Never used a tab editor before so from a newbie P.O.V. , easy to learn , creating multitracks is a 1 click affair I'm glad playback dialog can run along with editing window . One button tempo control is great. I LOVE this joker ! I can be the next "One - Hit - Wonder ! ", did I mention Tux is FREE , and its sharp lookin' software too. Hope this helps, Enjoy !
excellent tool for beginner and experienced guitarists
pauldfcJanuary 26, 2010
Pros
learn at your own pace
Cons
sometimes tab is difficult to read
Summary
great selection of songs to learn on web. let's you slow difficult bits down to make it easier to learn
Will not run with Vista
d_adams39December 12, 2009
Pros
Could not evaluate
Cons
Could not evaluate
Summary
could not evaluate<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Dec 12, 2009<p/>Could not uninstall!
Great, but no long working for me
acer_kJuly 10, 2009
Pros
Works very well for a free software
Cons
no long working for me. Used to work on my old laptop (dell inspiron). but it won't open after i installed it in this acer aspire laptop. wonder if vista sp2 has something to do with it.
Summary
Nice Software real easy to work with.
Jstaman466July 9, 2009
Pros
I found TuxGuitar 1 very easy to use, real easy to set up, Love the guitar fret board. One of the best software I have ever used and love that you can use Tab/Staff input and outputs makes it great.
Cons
I would like to see a profesional write a Real Sound Engine for this Software it would make it really great.
Summary
I like it's open source of multitrack tablature editor and player. I like that you can add tracks, clone tracks I like the Track Window that in It self can save me time and help me if I make a mistake. The TuxGuitar 1 is a great Peace of Software and I would recommend it to anyone that was in the market for this type of Software.
Best midi programmer ic'e ever used
ArkireJune 16, 2009
Pros
- Very user friendly - Easy to use - Free - Program midi's - Import / Export midi files - Transpose midi files - Avaliable to Windows + Mac - Wide range of instruments / Dynamics - Both TAB and staff input / output
Cons
- Some dynamics arn't avaliable - Only midi alterisation allowed
Summary
Very similar to guitar Pro, Easy and Intuitive.
KosmichitchhikerSeptember 1, 2008
Pros
Very easy to use, Nice interface, Plays guitar pro tabs you can download and play for free. Allows creation and saving of files.
Cons
Would like for someone with the necessary skills/talent to write a Real Sound Engine (RSE) ; think guitar pro, for use to eliminate the midi style sound.
Summary
I found it to be easy to use,easy to set-up and worth at least twice the amount you'll pay for it (considering it's free, It's well worth the money). You can download guitar pro tabs from dozens of sites for free and create your own to upload.

Developer’s Description

Edit and play tablatures for guitar.