Keeping that in mind, we are here with the best music players for Windows 10 and 11 that offer way more features than the built-in Windows Music player. So, let’s begin.
Best Music Player for Windows 10 and Windows 11
Being an audiophile, the options become way trickier when it comes to the best music player for Windows. That’s why we are here with the best options while choosing a music player app for your Windows PC.
VLC
VLC is the first name on our list and we are pretty sure it doesn’t need an introduction. Most of use VLC media player to watch movies and TV shows, but it is a pretty good music player as well. In fact, users who have been using Windows for a long time have already kept VLC as the default music player. The VLC media player also features last.fm. Now you can instantly login into your last.fm account and enjoy music on the go. You can also use the platform to stream different media shows if you have their exact streaming protocol URL. In terms of other features, the application has an equalizer using which you can tinker around with your favorite music track. Above all, it is an open-source application, and it’s completely free to use. Key Features: Supports network streaming | Manages music library | Recommends songs based on your taste
Open-source applicationPlenty of audio editing featuresSupports last.fm
No radio and podcast
Get: VLC (Free)
MusicBee
MusicBee is free to use platform designed especially for die-hard music fans. It features everything that an audiophile looks for in a music player to manage and enjoy his collection. On record, it can easily manage a library of more than 500,000 tunes without any issue. This free music player for Windows is designed to deliver the best performance of your installed soundcards and surround-sound setups. Its continuous playback feature eliminates the awkward silence between two tracks. Furthermore, the player app supports all the major audio formats present out there. MusicBee is available on Android too via which you can control the application remotely. Now, with the latest update, you can even change the theme of the application as per the genre of the track. It is also compatible with 5.1 surround sound speakers. However, you will have to download the LAME codec for MP3 encoding. In short, even not being an open-source application, MusicBee is a completely free-to-use music player for Windows 10 and 11. Key Features: Easily synchronize songs with smartphones | Availablity of auto-tagging feature | Compatible with numerous audio formats
Supports podcast, radio, and SoundCloud integrationBuilt-in addonsCompatible with 5.1 surround sound speakers
Not supported in the older Windows version
Get: MusicBee (Free)
AIMP
Similar to all the best free music players, AIMP easily organizes your collection, regardless of their formats and location. With the recent updates, AIMP has become the go-to platform for music lovers who are looking for a clean and impressive interface to play their tracks. AIMP supports all the major audio formats including the DirectSound and SIO. It also comes with the feature of internet radio via which you can enjoy your favorite radio channels. And when it comes to its sound engine, it features an 18-band equalizer. AIMP comes with a built-in audio converter via which you can easily convert audio formats. It also has a variety of other editing options that you can use to schedule the play and pause. In terms of looks and interface, it has a noticeable UI feature. You can even create custom 4K skins matching your track. Key Features: Create custom 4K skins | Manage meta tags efficiently | Convert audio formats
Built-in audio converter18 band equalizerDirectSound and SIO support
No regular updates
Get: AIMP (Free)
Winamp
Winamp is one of the oldest free MP3 software for Windows. It has a very simple-lightweight design and features a multi-pane UI, and comes along with tons of features to customize your favorite music tracks. Winamp allows creating an organized media library from the songs available in the storage. Winamp is compatible with all the major audio formats and can easily sync data with smartphones. It also shows certain visualization on the basis of the genre of the music that is being played. Furthermore, it has a built-in web browser as well. Thus, you don’t have to install any additional application to browse your favorite website. With the options to create custom skins, you can download the skin from the store and customize it as you want. Key Features: Revamped design| Built-in browser support | Customize music library
Highly customizable skinsDedicated browserPodcast and radio support
Can’t stream online music
Get: Winamp (Free)
foobar2000
Ever since its launch in 2002, foobar2000 has managed to generate a huge fanbase among Windows users. It is a simple music player for Windows 10 and 11 and comes with a modular design and easy-to-use interface. Foobar2000 is compatible with Windows 11 and older versions. It also supports portable installation. The best part about foobar2000 is that it hasn’t let the colors of time climb its feat. It still has a minimalistic design and interface. And in the first instance, it feels like the music player is suitable for Windows 98 rather than for Windows 10 or 11. But that’s what foobar2000 is famous for. Now, when it comes to features, foorbar2000 supports all the major audio formats including MP3, WMA, WAV, Opus, and more. It can play music tracks available in the form of archive files, i.e. ZIP, GZIP, 7z, and more. Along with all these features, foobar2000 can also rip CDs and import meta automatically. Key Features: Available on smartphones | Compatible with all Windows versions | Supports numerous audio formats
Very minimalistic designCustomize as per your desireSupports portable installation
Old design
Get: foobar2000 (Free)
MediaMonkey
MediaMonkey is another best music player for Windows 10 and 11. It is the go-to place to organize your messy collection of music tracks. Similar to Groove Music, it is also compatible with numerous audio formats. It can also automatically tag audio files and rip CDs. This Windows music player comes with a built-in audio converter as well to convert the audio format. Furthermore, MediaMonkey comes with the feature of sinking audio files with smartphones and burning music to DVDs and CDs. MediaMonkey has a special jukebox via which your friend can play their favorite music tracks without disturbing your collection. It also has a premium version called MediaMonkey Gold and it comes with exclusive features like Advance AutoPlaylist, professional-quality CD ripping, Auto Conversion, Leveling, and more. Key Features: Control remotely with smartphones | Manage collection efficiently | Compatible with numerous audio formats
Built-in audio converterDedicated jukeboxThe premium plan comes with exclusive features
Lags while syncing with smartphones
Get: MediaMonkey (Freemium)
iTunes
Along with being the best music player for both Mac and Apple smartphones, iTunes is a great choice for Windows 10 and 11 users as well. It is a one-place solution for all your music needs. However, on the other side, some users might find this music player bulkier than the others present in the list. iTunes can manage and play audio files stored on your computer. It can also play tracks that you purchased on the iTunes music store, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts. iTunes is compatible with all the major audio formats including MP3, Apple Lossless, AAC, WAV, and more. It comes with an exclusive feature called “home-sharing” via which you can stream your favorite music tracks on other devices connected to your local network. Key Features: Regular updates | Play tracks purchased on iTunes | Equalizer and optional compact mode
Home sharing featureListen to music offlineRadio support
No podcast supportTakes time in adding offline music
Get: iTunes (Free)
Spotify
Most of us prefer Spotify as our default music player on Android and iPhones. The desktop application of Spotify is also a great music player, as well. You can use this platform to listen to both online and offline music. Furthermore, it has a dedicated podcast section where you can listen to your favorite speakers. Spotify is a completely free-to-use application for both Windows 10 and 11. The best feature about Spotify is that it does not only allow you to choose between millions of songs present online, but also play music saved on your computer. Spotify, however, focuses more on online music streaming rather than offline streaming. You can get any of the premium plans to enjoy any songs ad-free over the internet. Key Features: Listen to your favorite speakers online | Play both online and offline music | Enjoy your favorite radio channels
Best for both offline and online music streamingAvailability of PodcastFollow favorite artist
Limited feature in free versionNot supported in older version
Get: Spotify (Freemium)
Dopamine
Dopamine is one of the best Groove Music or Windows Media Player alternative. The best part about this music player is its user-friendly interface and fluidity while navigating around the application. All the major features are located on the home screen itself, so you don’t need an additional guide to get used to the application. The Windows music player app offers many more additional features using which you can customize the home page. However, Dopamine is the only name on our list that is not available on Windows Store. Dopamine is compatible with all the major music formats including MP3, MP4, M4A, AAC, WAV, Opus, and many more. Feature-wise, the application may fall behind the other names in the list, but it’s definitely a leader when it comes to design and interface. Some major features available in this application are meta-tagging, real-time lyrics, last.fm scrobbling, and much more. Key Features: Compatible with all audio formats | Taskbar and tray control for seamless song management | Plenty of customizable skins and themes
Plenty of controls to manage the collectionMultiple themes for customizationSimple and interactive UI
Not available on Microsoft storeNot compatible with the older Windows version
Get: Dopamine (Free)
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an excellent option if you love to create music along with listening to it. Its database has a collection of more than 160 million tracks from different artists. It is a completely free-to-use application, and here you will find all those tracks that you can’t find even on YouTube or Spotify. SoundCloud also suggests the best music option for you on the basis of your choice and past listening experience. SoundCloud allows you to create your own music if you are a creator. You can even engage with your fans and take feedback from them regarding your created music. Along with these, all the features are almost similar to other names present in the list, i.e. create a playlist, listen to the radio, follow your favorite musician, and many more. Key Features: Huge collection of more than 160 million tracks | Easily syncing of songs | Create and upload music online
Availability of Indie tracksCreate own musicEngage with fans
No equalizer supportCan’t play saved music tracks
Get: SoundCloud (Free)
Final Words
As you can see, each music player is better than another in certain aspects. It all comes down to the fact which you consider is the ideal option for your need at the moment. So, let us know in the comment section which you think is the best music player for Windows 10 and 11. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email.
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