opuslib
Python bindings to the libopus, IETF low-delay audio codec
What it is and what it does
opuslib wraps the libopus C library to let Python programs work with Opus audio codec. Opus is a low-latency, royalty-free codec designed for real-time communication and streaming. The package provides direct access to libopus encoding and decoding functions through Python, making it suitable for applications that need to compress or decompress audio data in Opus format.
The package has no Python runtime dependencies but requires the libopus C library to be installed on the system. It was last updated in January 2018 and is no longer actively maintained. The codebase targets Python 2.5–2.7 according to its classifiers, and there is no documentation of support for Python 3 or modern versions.
Use it for:
- Encode raw audio samples to Opus format for low-bandwidth transmission in VoIP applications
- Decode Opus-compressed audio streams in real-time communication systems
- Integrate Opus codec support into audio processing pipelines that require IETF-standard compression
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Provides Python bindings to libopus, the IETF low-delay audio codec, allowing Python code to encode and decode Opus-compressed audio streams.
No. The package is abandoned (last release 2018, no commits since mid-2023) and targets only Python 2.5–2.7, which are long out of support. High install friction from compiled dependencies and lack of maintenance make it unsuitable for new projects. Consider actively maintained alternatives if Opus support is needed.
Install
opuslib on PyPI
pip
pip install opuslibuv
uv add opuslibpoetry
poetry add opuslibInstalling opuslib
Before you install
High install friction due to compiled C dependency on libopus. Package is abandoned—last release January 2018, no commits since July 2023. Maintenance status makes it risky for new projects.
License in practice
BSD 3-Clause License is permissive and poses no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in commercial or private projects.
Quickstart
pip install opuslib
import opuslib
# Requires libopus system library to be installed
libopus C library must be installed on the system before opuslib can be used
Verify before relying
- Whether libopus system library is available on target platforms and how to install it
- Compatibility with modern Python versions beyond 2.7 (classifiers list only 2.5–2.7)
- Whether the bindings work with current libopus releases
Package facts
| License | BSD 3-Clause License (permissive) |
| Python support | not specified |
| Install friction | high — source build required |
| Runtime dependencies | none |
| Maintenance | abandoned — 3,132 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 229,156/month — #9,137 on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-14) |
| Known vulnerabilities | none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14) |
Evidence: opuslib-3.0.1.tar.gz
Tags
More Libraries packages
urllib3 is an HTTP client library that provides…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
requestsRequests is a Python HTTP library that…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
pluggyPluggy provides a plugin system that lets you…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
python-dateutilProvides parsing, arithmetic, and recurrence…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
sixSix provides utility functions to write Python…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
pytestpytest is a testing framework that lets you…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
opuslib-nextProvides Python bindings to libopus, the IETF…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
silk-pythonEncodes and decodes audio in SILK format, a…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
descript-audio-codecCompresses audio into discrete codes at 8 kbps…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
encodecEnCodec is a neural audio codec that compresses…
noncommercial · top 15,000 on PyPI
standard-chunkProvides the chunk module, a removed Python…
permissive · top 5,000 on PyPI
playsoundPlays audio files (MP3, WAV) and URLs from…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
pydubPydub provides a high-level Python interface…
permissive · top 5,000 on PyPI
PyAudioPyAudio provides Python bindings for PortAudio…
permissive · top 5,000 on PyPI
python-ffmpegProvides a Python binding for FFmpeg with both…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
torchcodecTorchCodec decodes and encodes videos, audio,…
unclear · top 5,000 on PyPI