10 Best Music Players for Windows

For several decades, two indivisible concepts: music and computers have thoroughly entered our lives as something ordinary and taken for granted. Most of us listen to music on our PC while working with documents, in the background of a game, or just “in the mood.” Some do it professionally, creating their own compositions.

To play media content in Windows, there is a standard Windows Media Player program, which has only basic capabilities. An alternative to it are hundreds and thousands of different programs from the Internet, which have a lot of additional functions, support for a larger number of formats and an attractive appearance.

In this article, we will select the 10 best audio players for Windows and determine the advantages of each of them.

Winamp

Nowadays, fewer and fewer modern users know about the existence of such a music player as Winamp. In the early 2000s, this product from the American company NULLsoft was present on almost every computer of that time, and became an excellent replacement for Windows WMP thanks to a set of functions that were unique at that time. Now the player has lost its former popularity due to the temporary closure of the project by the owners, but since the end of 2020 it has received an update and promises to be a new hit in 2020.

The main advantage of Winamp is its flexible configuration and readability of most current audio formats. The program plays music in MP3, AAC, FLAC, MIDI, OGG, WMA, WAV, AIF format, plays streaming audio from the Internet, reads CD tracks and converts tracks for recording. At the same time, Winamp works perfectly on a system with any performance level.

The Winamp interface is a constructor that can be assembled as desired. There is a minimalistic bar, which does not distract from work with its appearance, and a full-fledged window with a settings panel, a ten-band equalizer and a spectrogram. Separately, you can attach a playlist or visualization window. In addition to the program, there are stylish skins, the list of which can be supplemented separately.

Advantages:

plays all current audio formats;
works on all versions of Windows, including XP;
saves user settings profiles;
convenient sorting of tracks in a folder;
beautiful visual images in the form of oscillograms;
Dozens of skins are included in the kit;
free Russian-language player.

Flaws:

poor development of the project due to a change in management;
There are incompatibilities with modern high-quality tracks of familiar formats.

VLC Media Player Portable 3.0.4

For free

This is a media player with which you can stream audio and video over a local network. It has received positive user reviews due to its minimum errors and wide functionality.

VLC plays music from your computer, as well as from removable media. Supports formats: DVD, VCD, MPEG, DIVX and others.

There is no need to install additional codecs to play multimedia. They are already there.

Pros:

there is a recording of a music track on a computer;
you can install the program both on your hard drive and on a flash drive, with which it will work in full mode;
does not contain advertising and spyware;
does not slow down when switching from one format to another;
opens “broken” files;

The downside is that you cannot read the TS format. Some users report a slight freeze.

AIMP

Despite the great competition, AIMP deserves the title of “people's” audio player for Windows computers. Its creator is domestic developer Artem Izmailov, who has been updating and improving his creation since the mid-2000s. Fans appreciate the player for its high sound quality, versatility and style.

Externally and functionally, AIMP is very similar to Winamp, but after the second one was forgotten, it took on the role of a universal replacement for Windows Media Player. The player is capable of not only playing, but also recording music from a microphone or software CD grabber. It supports AAC, AC3, DTS, FLAC, MIDI, MP3, MPC, OGG, WAV, WMA and other less popular formats. The dynamic range of audio processing reaches 32 bits. An audio converter is provided to change music formats. Sound output to audio devices occurs via DirectSound, ASIO, WASAPI and WASAPI Exclusive interfaces.

Aimp connects to Internet radio stations and broadcasts sound without loss of quality. Switching between stations is done through the convenient LastFM Scrobbler, integrated into the shell. You can expand the functionality of the software with separately downloadable plugins.

Like Winamp, AIMP has a customizable interface and disabling modules. To decorate the shell, just select your favorite skin from a long list in the settings.

Advantages:

high quality sound reproduction;
good optimization on weak machines;
there are functions for playing Internet radio and streaming music;
customizable appearance and interface elements;
special sound effects and 18-band equalizer;
hotkey management;
there is Russian language;
free license.

Flaws:

not noticed.

conclusions

In fact, now among the free open source players it makes sense to consider only three: Plyr, Shaka Player and Video.js .

Plyr really confused me because there is only one maintainer, who, apparently, does not cope well with the flow of issues. However, the player's idea of using semantics and its small size are very good. For smaller projects it could be ideal.

Shaka Player is captivating because it is being developed by Google, is young, and is in active development. From a developer’s point of view, this is a very interesting option: fresh technologies and no legacy. However, there are also disadvantages: some things have not yet been implemented there. For example, we lacked good advertising support. In issues you can find that you can try to connect the IMA SDK (from Google, of course), but there are no examples yet.

Video.js turned out to be the player we chose once again. Yes, there are a lot of legacy, outdated articles, reviews and plugins. However, how actively it is being developed at the moment, how many problems have already been solved and features implemented in it leads to the idea that it is not for nothing that it still holds the brand of the most popular web player.

VLC Media Player

Developers from the French company VideoLan have created a free open-source multimedia player - VLC Media Player. It is installed on computers and mobile devices with all current operating systems: Windows, Windows Mobile, Android, iOS, Mac OS, Linux and Tizen.

Speaking about the functionality of VLC Media Player, we can say that this is a real home media center. It supports a wide range of MP3, AAC, MLP, DTS, WMA, WMA3, FLAC, ALAC, MPC, Real Audio, AMR (3GPP), MIDI formats. The player also does not need third-party codec packs, as it is initially supplied with all the instructions. If necessary, you can convert tracks from one format to another.

The second purpose of VLC Media Player is as a server for broadcasting streaming audio and video content. The program can work with video capture cards and web cameras, so you can broadcast live or record audio to a file.

Externally, the player looks modern and nice. It is possible to replace the standard black and orange skin with others from the library.

Advantages:

home cross-platform media player;
reads a large list of music and video formats;
has open source code for modifications;
recognizes even partially damaged audio files;
built-in set of skins;
there are functions for broadcasting and rebroadcasting audio-video streams;
free and Russian-language product.

Flaws:

not identified.

Windows Media Player

This is a standard music (and video) player that is installed on any Windows PC. Many users do not like it because of its large size, slow operation, etc. But all this applied to the early versions.

Today, Windows Media Player has undergone significant changes and has become much better. Now it is a powerful media processor for playing video and audio files.

It may still lose out to the above-mentioned music players, but if you don't listen to music often, then why install another player? The functionality of the standard Windows Media Player will be more than enough.

JetAudio

The multifunctional JetAudio program from COWON Systems is a multimedia player with additional functions for processing media files. It easily replaces several programs for converting, transcoding and recording music for home (non-professional) use. The product is published in two versions: free Basic and paid Plus VX.

iTunes

iTunes is an exclusive product for Apple technology, and has the functions of a player, cataloger and service for downloading music and videos. The service is recognized as one of the best multimedia library managers on mobile devices and PCs. It is free and compatible not only with Mac OS, but also with all modern Windows.

The main purpose of iTunes is to synchronize Apple mobile devices with a computer, including iPhone, iPad, iPod and Apple TV. The service connects the device to the Apple Store and allows you to view the contents of the internal memory on your computer. You can also create regular and smart playlists with a specific playback order and automatic sorting, change id-3 tags and song covers, and listen to Internet radio stations. In addition to music and videos, iTunes users can download programs and games directly to the connected gadget.

The player has two types: regular and compact. It comes with an equalizer and is capable of displaying visualizations along with its competitors. The service integrates the functionality of the social network Ping. With it you can communicate and discuss music with millions of other users.

The program interface is very easy to use and does not require additional study of guides. It is worth mentioning the interesting Cover Flow mode, which displays song covers in a beautifully designed 3D shell. This creates an indescribable feeling of “tangibility” of the content.

Advantages:

unique service for Apple products;
support Windows 7, 8, 10;
convenient and flexible file directory;
synchronization with Apple Store and Ping;
there is a tag editor,
distributed free of charge.

Flaws:

not suitable for devices based on Android (and other OS in general).

Winyl

Contrary to trends, many people are not looking for multifunctional programs a la “Swiss knives”, but for the most simple and convenient tools. The Winyl player is one such product. It starts compositions instantly, does not consume system resources, and is distributed free of charge.

The highlight of this player is its maximum simplicity compared to its competitors. But don’t consider it a snub - it supports almost all used formats: MP3, OGG, MPC, APE, FLAC, WMA, M4A. Sound parameters are adjusted using a ten-band equalizer and presets with effects. The program processes sound using the WASAPI/ASIO algorithms.

In Winyl, the user can create regular playlists and smartlists, where there are settings for sorting songs by genre, artist, listener preferences, etc. Using the built-in tag editor, you can change all the information about the track, including the cover art. A convenient and fast file search engine with a folder tree allows you to use Winyl as a home audio library manager.

The interface combines style and conciseness. Large large animated buttons and contrasting themes give a feeling of exclusivity and quality to the software. There is a translation into Russian.

Advantages:

there is a standard set of audio codecs;
high-quality sound processing;
There is an audio library manager and a tag editor;
creation of classic and smartlists;
you can listen to Internet radio;
very low system requirements;
ascetic and stylish interface.

Flaws:

not identified.

Foobar2000

Foobar2000 is another representative of compact and system-undemanding music players with advanced capabilities. It is characterized by high quality sound processing, song sorting functionality and a simplified appearance. The program receives regular updates from its creator Peter Pawlowski, a former NULLsoft (Winamp) employee.

The first thing to note is the very high-quality sound transmission without loss or distortion thanks to 64-bit sampling, which makes it much more profitable than its competitors. Foobar2000's audio format support covers all popular extensions: MP3, MP4, AAC, FLAC, WavPack, Musepack, Speex, AU, SND, WAV, AIFF, CD Audio, WMA, Vorbis, Opus. It can also read RAR and ZIP archives, instantly reproducing their contents. The volume level at frequencies is regulated by a ten-band equalizer, and additional effect presets will make adjustments to the sound style.

The program supports APEv2 tags and can modify/extract them. If necessary, the player can work as an Internet radio receiver, CD grabber or audio library manager. Its architecture is designed for the installation of plugins that expand the functionality of the software.

Foobar 2000

Free minimalistic audio player for Windows. The program first announced itself in 2002, but to this day it does not lose relevance, because constant improvements and updates keep pace with the times.

Foobar 2000 is available in two versions: Standard and Portable. Selecting the “Standard” option implies installing files in the registry, and the “Portable” version will be saved in the folder with the program files.

The program takes up only 3.3 MB, and supports dozens of formats: MP3, MP4, AAC, CD Audio, WMA, Vorbis, FLAC, WavPack, WAV, AIFF and many others. If you install additional extensions, you can play less common formats.

Foobar 2000 also has standard DSP modules, a ReplayGain scanner, renderer and converter. The program works on the principle of old favorite players, without filling up the memory with unnecessary extensions and additions.

Freeform (UI) support allows you to change the interface to personal preferences through plugins.

Advantages:

support for a huge number of formats;
unpacking RAR and ZIP;
low consumption of system resources;
working with several playlists simultaneously;
audio decoders provide excellent sound quality;
support for ReplayGain, Freeform (UI) and ABX test technologies.

Disadvantage – too minimalistic interface

The developers of Foobar 2000 have provided an open program architecture that allows third-party developers to expand the functionality. The program works on Windows 7, XP, Vista, 8.10.

Foobnix

Foobnix was originally developed as a free lightweight player for Linux systems, but after numerous positive reviews it was ported to Windows. It differs from its competitors in its good optimization, acceptable sound and original “Linux” style.

Based on its overall characteristics, the Foobnix player is perfect for undemanding users with a weak computer or laptop. He can read current audio and video formats, as well as convert them. The Fubnix shell has a built-in Last.FM plugin, which allows you to listen to thousands of Internet radio stations and record sound in OGG format.

Sound parameters are adjusted by an equalizer of 10 frequencies and preset effect presets. When playing, the window displays track information from tags, song lyrics and album cover. The user can create a playlist manually using Drag & Drop tracks or automatically while scanning folders.

The VKontakte service is integrated into the program, which gives access to a personal audio library on the page, music of friends and groups. There is also support for downloading and saving tracks from the Internet.

Advantages:

functionality sufficient for home use;
runs audio and video files in MP3, MP4, OGG, WMA, AAC, Vorbis, FLAC, WavPack, WAV, AIFF formats;
supports Internet radio function;
integration with VKontakte;
viewing and editing tags;
excellent optimization;
free software;
unusual and nice interface in Russian.

Flaws:

not found.

Foobnix music player

The player was initially created for the Linux operating system. At the moment it can be installed on Windows. It has a large number of functions and supports major music formats. The player is integrated with sites such as VKontakte and last.fm where you can listen to music online.

Advantages:

has an equalizer;
allows you to convert one audio format to another;
there is a music library
there is Internet radio;
you can create playlists;
there are hot keys;
has low system requirements and a simple interface that can be easily changed to suit every taste.

from the official website.

KMPlayer

The Korean program KMPlayer has been recognized by users for many years as one of the best multimedia players. He earned popular love for his versatility and “omnivorous” music and video formats. The developers have provided 32 and 64-bit versions with different system requirements.

Thanks to the built-in extensive set of codecs, KMPlayer is capable of playing music and video clips in DVD, FLV, WMV, AVI, MKV, OGG, OGM, WMA, VCD, RealMedia, 3GP, MPEG-1/2/4 formats. This feature eliminates the need for the user to download and install codec packs. To adjust the sound, the player has an equalizer with environmental effects. The program supports work with 2.1 stereo systems and 5.1 and 7.1 cinemas. Streaming music allows you to use KMP as an Internet radio. In addition, the player can open RAR and ZIP archives and play their contents without unpacking.

The external component of KMP is unique and does not copy the interface of competitors. The standard look of black windows and menus can be replaced with pre-installed or downloaded themes. To match the Aero style, the transparency of the windows can be adjusted.

Advantages:

the ultimate free player for all occasions;
work with all modern formats and Internet radio stations;
support for multi-channel audio systems;
There is an advanced 64-bit version with great capabilities;
unique customizable interface with Russian translation;
Supporter of codec assemblies does not require installation.

Flaws:

The 64-bit version does not work correctly on weak systems.

Open source web players

Video.js

The most popular ( ~30k downloads per day ) and oldest ( ~10 years old repository) web player.

It is supported by 10 maintainers and the online video platform Brightcove, which is the main sponsor of the project. Their own proprietary player is built on top of video.js .

Fast release cycles. The developers roll out a new version every week.

Almost anything can be done thanks to the rich ecosystem of plugins. You can write your own plugin and add it to the directory. A few years ago we wrote our own plugin for sharing.

It has the largest weight ( 486 kB of minified code ) among its competitors.

jQuery in the world of web players.

Shaka Player

The second most popular web player ( ~15k downloads per day ). Supported by Google, is in active development, has a roadmap.

Out of the box it works offline.

Kaltura Player is based on it (see below).

Plyr

This is an increasingly popular web player. Currently it ranks third in popularity ( ~8k downloads per day ).

The youngest ( ~4 years, from January, 2016 ).

Has the smallest size among competitors ( 113 kB minified code )

Uses HTML semantics, does not work in IE (polyfills are needed).

It works with advertising only through vi.ai. VAST support is in development.

Supported by just one maintainer, it has the largest number of open issues ( 392 issues at the moment), which is only growing.

Here the author tells why he decided to create his own player.

MediaElement.js

Player development has slowed down significantly since 2020. 3 maintainers release new versions on average once a month.

Flowplayer

One of the oldest players for the web. Since 2012 I worked on Flash, then received HTML5 support.

Starting with the v7 version of the player, the development team left to create a proprietary online video platform, Flowplayer.

The last release of the open source version was a year ago. Support is provided by one maintainer. The repository looks abandoned.

jPlayer

An old video player written in jQuery.

The last release was 5 years ago (December 15, 2014).

There is a port for React.js.

We can say that the player is dead. It was included in this review only because it is often found in other reviews.

Light Alloy

The domestically developed multimedia player Light Alloy is published by Vortex Team and is designed for mass use as a home theater and music center. It has a Russian-language interface and is distributed free of charge.

Light Alloy is a multifunctional player for listening to tracks in the formats AAC, MP1, MP2, MP3, OGG, MIDI, MKA, AC3, AIF, APE, MOD, WMA, WAV, and clips 3GP, AVI, DVIX, MKV, MOV, MP4, FLV, WMV. Such unification is possible due to its own codec pack based on ATRAC3 algorithms, which is installed along with the program. In the settings menu, the user can change the sound transmission and speaker system parameters. The software supports wireless devices (remote controls) to control the player from a distance.

Like software from competitors, Light Alloy has customizable playlists and auto-scanning of folders. By inserting a media with music, you no longer need to click on each song separately. Along with IPTV, the program has the functionality of Internet radio with recording of the stream to a file.

Advantages:

universal player for PC and laptop;
reading all modern formats;
built-in codec;
free software in Russian;
supports IPTV and Internet radio reception;
subtitles with settings;
low system requirements.

Flaws:

Player development has stopped (technical support continues).

Verdict

Of the music players we reviewed, there is no downright bad or good option. Each has its own purpose and target audience. As expected, we will give a little advice: which option to choose in each of the situations listed below.

A universal option for home use is KMPlayer. It will more than satisfy all the requirements of the average user. With it, you will not need any additional codec packs or study setup manuals. It also receives regular updates and fixes.

We chose VLC Media Player and Winyl as options for the weakest devices (for example, laptops). Both programs are very undemanding to system resources and provide a decent level of sound.

The most professional audio players among those presented are Foobar2000 and AIMP. The first of them processes sound in high 64-bit quality, and the second ensures smooth playback by loading tracks into RAM. Both players work with advanced audio sampling algorithms.