Linux · Utilities
Hydrus
Organize media on the desktop
by Hydrus Network
Official site: flathub.org
About Hydrus
The hydrus network client is a desktop application written for Anonymous and other internet enthusiasts with large media collections. It organises your files into an internal database and browses them with tags instead of folders, a little like a booru on your desktop. Tags and files can be anonymously shared through custom servers that any user may run. Everything is free, nothing phones home, and the source code is included with the release. It is developed mostly for Windows, but builds for Linux and macOS are available (perhaps with some limitations, depending on your situation).
Currently importable filetypes are:
images - jpg, gif (including animated), png (including animated!), tiff, webp, bmp
video - webm, mp4, mpeg, avi, mov, mkv, flv, wmv
audio - mp3, flac, ogg, wma
misc - swf, pdf, psd, zip, rar, 7z
The client can download files and parse tags from a number of websites, including by default:
various imageboards, with a thread watcher
the popular boorus
gallery sites like deviant art, and pixiv
tumblr and twitter
And can be extended to download from more locations using easily shareable user-made downloaders. It can also be set to 'subscribe' to any gallery search, repeating it every few days to keep up with new results.
The program's emphasis is on your freedom. There is no DRM, no spying, no censorship. The program never phones home.
How to install Hydrus
- Click Download — the developer's official website opens in a new tab.
- Download the latest version there and run it. Choose Custom/Advanced where offered, and skip any bundled extras.
- Prefer the command line? With Flatpak you can install and update it with: flatpak install flathub io.github.hydrusnetwork.hydrus
- Open Hydrus once it finishes installing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hydrus free to download?
Yes. The Download button sends you to flathub.org, the developer's official site, where Hydrus is available to download. Flatnic doesn't host or modify any files.
How do I install Hydrus from the command line?
With Flatpak, run: flatpak install flathub io.github.hydrusnetwork.hydrus. This installs it from the official source and keeps it updated.
Is Hydrus safe?
Hydrus downloads directly from the developer. As always, scan the installer with your antivirus and choose Custom setup to skip any bundled extras.