Q: What are some common audio playback programs?
A: Many programs are available for playing audio files on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux-based systems. Since there are so many audio formats available, you will most likely need more than one audio player on your computer. Below is a list of audio playback programs for the Windows, Macintosh, and Linux platforms.
Windows
| Company | Program | Extensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iTunes | .MOV, .M4P | The most popular audio playback program for Mac and Windows; supports all major audio formats except for Windows Media and Real Media files; the only program that can play songs downloaded from the iTunes music store and that is compatible with the Apple iPod. |
| Cowon | JetAudio Basic | n/a | Plays all major file formats, including WAV, MP3, OGG, WMA, MPEG, AVI, WMV, RM, MIDI, as well as video and audio CD tracks; also supports CD burning, recording, and audio file conversion. |
| Foobar2000 | Foobar2000 | n/a | Supports more than a dozen audio formats, gapless playback, and advanced tagging capabilities; includes tabbed playlists and customizable keyboard shortcuts; also known as "fb2k." |
| Microsoft | Windows Media Player | .WMA, .ASF | Microsoft media program that plays both audio and video files; included with the Windows operating system; plays Windows Media files and several other common formats. |
| Microsoft | Zune Software | n/a | Media player designed to work with the Microsoft Zune device and has a similar user interface; can play music and video files and allows users to download media from Zune Marketplace. |
| MODPlug | MODPlug Player | .MOD | Audio module player for Windows that supports many module formats, including MOD, MDL, XM, S3M, 669, FAR, IT, NST, and PTM files as well as many others; also includes other features such as a graphic equalizer for adjusting the sound output. |
| Nullsoft | Winamp | n/a | The most commonly used Windows music playback program for many years; supports many formats, including Ogg Vorbis files; also supports custom skins, which change the look of the player's interface. |
| Participatory Culture Foundation | Miro | n/a | Miro is a free open-source audio and video player that supports several audio file formats; it can be used to play both audio and video podcasts, as well as other types of streaming media. |
| Quux Software | QuuxPlayer | n/a | Music player for Windows designed to focus on the listening experience; supports Home Theatre PC (HTPC) mode and includes a spectrum analyzer and 30-band equalizer. |
| RealNetworks | Real Player | .RA, .RAM | Plays Real Media audio and video files, including streaming media; also supports other common audio formats. |
| Songbird | Songbird | n/a | Free audio player for Windows and Mac OS X that supports multiple audio formats; includes music management features, Web purchasing, and device syncing; can be customized using add-ons. |
| VideoLAN | VLC Media Player | n/a | Compact multi-platform media player that plays audio and video files; supports nearly all uncompressed and compressed audio formats, including Ogg Vorbis files. |
Macintosh
| Company | Program | Extensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | iTunes | .MOV, .M4P | The most popular audio playback program for Mac and Windows; supports all major audio formats except for Windows Media and Real Media files; the only program that is compatible with the Apple iPod and that can play songs downloaded from the iTunes music store. |
| Instinctiv | Instinctiv Player | n/a | Macintosh music player that allows users to play and manage music files; supports over 50 file formats and can sync music with BlackBerry, Android, Symbian, and Windows Mobile devices. |
| Microsoft | Windows Media Player | .WMA, .ASF | Media playback program from Microsoft that plays both audio and video files; included with the Windows operating system; plays Windows Media files and several other common formats. |
| Panic | Audion | n/a | Supports MP3, AIFF, WAV, Vorbis, and other common formats; also plays back streaming audio files from Icecast or Shoutcast; includes additional features such as MP3 encoding and visualizations during playback. |
| Participatory Culture Foundation | Miro | n/a | Miro is a free open-source audio and video player that supports several audio file formats; it can be used to play both audio and video podcasts, as well as other types of streaming media. |
| RealNetworks | Real Player | .RA, .RAM | Plays Real Media audio and video files, including streaming media; also supports other common audio formats. |
| Songbird | Songbird | n/a | Free audio player for Mac and Windows that supports multiple audio formats; includes music management features, Web purchasing, and device syncing; can be customized using add-ons. |
| VideoLAN | VLC Media Player | n/a | Compact multi-platform media player that plays audio and video files; supports nearly all uncompressed and compressed audio formats, including Ogg Vorbis files. |
Linux
| Company | Program | Extensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4Front Technologies | XMMS | n/a | Popular free audio player for Unix systems; plays MP3s, WAVs, MODs, and other audio file types using Input plugins; also supports Output, Effect, and Visualization plugins, as well as skins that customize the player's interface. |
| Amarok Project | Amarok | n/a | Audio player with a highly customizable interface that includes support for song lyrics; supports Last.fm radio streams, Ampache server connections, Librivox audio books, Magnatune music, and the OPLM Podcast Directory. |
| Banshee | Banshee Media Player | n/a | Music and video player that also supports podcasts; can sync media with multiple devices, including iPods, iPhones, and Android-based devices. |
| Kaffeine | Kaffeine - KDE Media Player | n/a | Media player for the K Desktop Environment (KDE); supports audio CD playback and several audio files types including MOD and STM files. |
| Participatory Culture Foundation | Miro | n/a | Miro is a free open-source audio and video player that supports several audio file formats; it can be used to play both audio and video podcasts, as well as other types of streaming media. |
| VideoLAN | VLC Media Player | n/a | Compact multi-platform media player that plays audio and video files; supports nearly all uncompressed and compressed audio formats, including Ogg Vorbis files. |
Know of another audio player that should be listed here? Suggest an addition.
Updated: June 15, 2011