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Windows Media Player Alternatives for Linux

Looking for Windows Media Player alternatives? We've curated 19 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need Linux options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player

Open Source

VLC Media Player is a free and open-source cross-platform multimedia player that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. Known for its robust format support and stability, VLC is a favorite for playing virtually any media file without the need for external codecs.

Key Features

  • Supports nearly every audio and video format without external codecs.
  • Free and open-source with no ads or bundled software.
  • Available on a wide range of operating systems and devices.

vs Windows Media Player

Supports nearly every audio and video format without external codecs. compared to Windows Media Player
Clementine

Clementine

Open Source

Clementine is a versatile, multiplatform music player offering a comprehensive suite of features for managing and playing your music library. Inspired by Amarok, it provides robust support for collections, internet radio, podcasts, and integrated services, ensuring a rich audio experience.

Key Features

  • Robust music library management
  • Excellent support for internet radio and podcasts
  • Available on multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux)

vs Windows Media Player

Robust music library management compared to Windows Media Player
Rhythmbox

Rhythmbox

Open Source

Rhythmbox is a powerful and versatile open-source music player designed for GNOME desktops. It offers a comprehensive suite of features for managing and enjoying your digital audio library, including playback, organization, podcast support, internet radio streaming, and seamless integration with online music services.

Key Features

  • Strong music library organization and management features.
  • Powerful and flexible smart playlist functionality.
  • Integrated support for internet radio and podcasts.

vs Windows Media Player

Strong music library organization and management features. compared to Windows Media Player
Amarok

Amarok

Open Source

Amarok is a powerful and versatile cross-platform free and open-source music player. It excels in managing large music collections with features like dynamic playlists, advanced tagging, and integration with online music services. Designed for users who seek comprehensive control over their audio experience, Amarok offers a customizable interface and a wide array of plugins.

Key Features

  • Excellent music library management features
  • Powerful dynamic and intelligent playlist creation
  • High degree of customization through themes, plugins, and scripting

vs Windows Media Player

Excellent music library management features compared to Windows Media Player
MPlayer

MPlayer

Open Source

MPlayer is a highly versatile, free, and open-source multimedia player renowned for its extensive codec support and powerful command-line interface. It can handle a wide array of media formats with minimal system resources.

Key Features

  • Exceptional codec support out-of-the-box.
  • Highly efficient and lightweight on system resources.
  • Powerful and flexible command-line interface for advanced control.

vs Windows Media Player

Exceptional codec support out-of-the-box. compared to Windows Media Player
Banshee

Banshee

Open Source

Banshee was a versatile media player and management application that supported various audio and video formats, podcasts, and seamless library organization. It included features like smart playlists, integrated media conversion, and device synchronization.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive music and video playback capabilities.
  • Effective media library organization features.
  • Integrated podcast player is a convenient addition.

vs Windows Media Player

Comprehensive music and video playback capabilities. compared to Windows Media Player
SMPlayer

SMPlayer

Open Source

SMPlayer is a free and powerful media player that offers built-in codecs for a wide range of formats. It features intuitive controls, extensive customization options, and the ability to remember settings for each file, making it a versatile choice for playing videos and audio.

Key Features

  • Plays almost all audio and video formats out-of-the-box.
  • Remembers settings for every file automatically.
  • Excellent subtitle support including online search.

vs Windows Media Player

Plays almost all audio and video formats out-of-the-box. compared to Windows Media Player
Audacious

Audacious

Open Source

Audacious is a highly customizable, lightweight audio player designed for discerning listeners who prioritize sound quality and system resource efficiency. Supporting a vast array of audio formats and extensible via a robust plugin system, it offers a classic, skinnable interface for a personalized listening experience.

Key Features

  • Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient.
  • Excellent audio quality and broad format support.
  • Highly customizable interface through skins.

vs Windows Media Player

Extremely lightweight and resource-efficient. compared to Windows Media Player
mpv

mpv

Open Source

mpv is a free and open-source command-line media player derived from MPlayer and mplayer2. It boasts a minimalist user interface and powerful scripting capabilities, offering excellent video and audio playback with low resource consumption.

Key Features

  • Extremely lightweight and performant
  • Excellent video and audio quality
  • Highly customizable through configuration and scripting

vs Windows Media Player

Extremely lightweight and performant compared to Windows Media Player
DeaDBeeF

DeaDBeeF

Open Source

DeaDBeeF is a lightweight and highly customizable audio player for Linux and other Unix-like systems. It supports a wide range of audio formats and offers advanced features like audio conversion, plugin extensibility, and comprehensive playlist management, making it a powerful choice for audiophiles and everyday users alike.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable interface and features
  • Supports a wide range of audio formats
  • Lightweight and resource-efficient

vs Windows Media Player

Highly customizable interface and features compared to Windows Media Player
UMPlayer

UMPlayer

Open Source

UMPlayer is a free and open-source cross-platform media player that boasts a built-in search for YouTube and Shoutcast radio, offering a wide range of supported formats and features like automatic subtitle downloads and customizable playback options.

Key Features

  • Plays almost all audio and video formats without extra codecs.
  • Integrated search and streaming for YouTube and Shoutcast.
  • Automatic subtitle searching and downloading feature.

vs Windows Media Player

Plays almost all audio and video formats without extra codecs. compared to Windows Media Player
Tomahawk

Tomahawk

Open Source

Tomahawk is a free and open-source music player that integrates various music sources, including streaming services, local files, and social networks, into a unified library and playback experience. It allows users to discover, play, and share music seamlessly across platforms.

Key Features

  • Seamlessly integrates various music sources into one library.
  • Source-agnostic playback with Resolver technology.
  • Extensible through a robust plugin system.

vs Windows Media Player

Seamlessly integrates various music sources into one library. compared to Windows Media Player
Videos

Videos

Open Source

Videos, formerly known as Totem, is the official video player for the GNOME desktop environment. It provides a straightforward and efficient way to play various video and audio files directly on your Linux system. Designed for integration within the GNOME ecosystem, it offers a familiar and seamless user experience.

Key Features

  • Seamless integration with the GNOME desktop environment.
  • Clean and intuitive user interface.
  • Supports a wide range of video and audio formats out of the box.

vs Windows Media Player

Seamless integration with the GNOME desktop environment. compared to Windows Media Player
Quod Libet

Quod Libet

Open Source

Quod Libet is a highly extensible GTK+-based audio player for Linux, focusing on powerful music library management and flexible tagging. Written in Python and using the Mutagen library, it offers extensive customization and handles diverse audio formats seamlessly.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable interface and functionality.
  • Exceptional tagging and library management features.
  • Powerful dynamic playlist creation.

vs Windows Media Player

Highly customizable interface and functionality. compared to Windows Media Player
Strawberry

Strawberry

Open Source

Strawberry is a free and open-source audio player and music collection organizer designed for audiophiles and music enthusiasts. It focuses on delivering high-fidelity audio playback and robust library management.

Key Features

  • Excellent sound quality with audiophile-focused features.
  • Comprehensive music library management tools.
  • Robust metadata editing and automatic fetching capabilities.

vs Windows Media Player

Excellent sound quality with audiophile-focused features. compared to Windows Media Player
MOC

MOC

Open Source

MOC (Music On Console) is a lightweight and feature-rich command-line audio player for Linux/UNIX systems. Designed for efficiency and performance, it offers high-fidelity sound playback without resource overhead.

Key Features

  • Extremely lightweight and efficient, low resource usage.
  • Designed for high-fidelity audio playback.
  • Highly customizable via config files and scripting.

vs Windows Media Player

Extremely lightweight and efficient, low resource usage. compared to Windows Media Player
Foobnix

Foobnix

Open Source

Foobnix is a versatile and performant music player designed for Linux systems. It offers comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats, including lossless options, and integrates seamlessly with popular online services like internet radio and Last.fm. Its lightweight design ensures smooth operation even on systems with limited resources.

Key Features

  • Supports a wide range of audio formats, including lossless.
  • Integrated internet radio and online service support (Last.fm).
  • Lightweight and resource-efficient.

vs Windows Media Player

Supports a wide range of audio formats, including lossless. compared to Windows Media Player
C* Music Player

C* Music Player

Open Source

C* Music Player (cmus) is a fast and powerful terminal-based music player for Unix-like systems. It's known for its lightweight footprint, extensive library management features, and highly configurable interface, making it a favorite among command-line enthusiasts.

Key Features

  • Extremely lightweight and fast
  • Highly configurable via keybindings and settings
  • Efficiently manages large music libraries

vs Windows Media Player

Extremely lightweight and fast compared to Windows Media Player
SmoothVideo Project

SmoothVideo Project (SVP) is a software utility that enhances video playback by increasing the frame rate of any video to 60 frames per second or higher. It achieves this in real-time using advanced frame interpolation algorithms, making video motion appear smoother and more fluid directly within your preferred media player.

Key Features

  • Significantly improves video motion smoothness in real-time.
  • Works with a wide range of existing video players.
  • Highly customizable interpolation settings.

vs Windows Media Player

Significantly improves video motion smoothness in real-time. compared to Windows Media Player

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