People who have spent a lot of money to curate their music collection are always in search of the best and free music player for Windows 10/11, or any other operating system for that matter.

That’s because these audio player apps allow audiophiles to listen to their favorite songs whenever they want and help them organize their library in a better way.

If we talk about 2024, there are many Windows music player software that you can have at your disposal. However, some old-school music players are out of the picture. Microsoft’s home-baked software, Windows Media Player, has been replaced by a newer audio player for Windows 10 called Groove Music. Further, Microsoft has replaced Groove Music with a new Media Player app on Windows 11.

The realm of free music apps for PC might be fading away with time, but still, many people consider local solutions over their internet-based audio streaming counterparts. So, without wasting any more time, let’s see 2024’s some of the best free music player software for Windows 10/11.

Note: We have curated the list of some of the apps for Windows 10/11 and older versions. Please note that the names aren’t mentioned in any order of preference.

10 Best Free Music Player Software for Windows 10/11

1. Dopamine

This open-source audio player for Windows called Dopamine looks like a Microsoft-made UWP app, contrary to the fact that it isn’t, and is not available in the Store either. However, Dopamine is good enough that you can consider it as a Windows Media Player alternative.

After the speedy installation process of Dopamine completes, what you get to look and feel is enough to put it amongst other best and free music player apps.

The things users would like about this popular music app for Windows is the easy to navigate interface, not to mention, the fluidity. All the options and settings are placed in a way that users don’t need to strain their eyes to find them. There are many customizations that can be done to improve Dopamine’s interface.

Dopamine supports a vast number of audio formats, including MP4, WMA, OGG, FLAC, M4A, AAC, WAV, APE, and OPUS. This music playing app might fall behind a little regarding the feature set, but users can take advantage of various things like automatic meta-tagging, displaying lyrics in real-time, last.fm scrobbling, etc. Some of Dopamine’s features require the users to run Windows 10/11 on their computer.

Features:

• Supports various languages.
• Contains multiple themes.
• Offers taskbar music controls.

Supported Platforms: Windows

2. Winamp

We all saw its charm in the 90s and later years, Winamp was the unofficial flag-bearer of free mp3 software for Windows back in the day. With a lightweight design, Winamp still comes with a multi-pane UI and offers tons of customization options to the users.

To name a few, you can create a well-organized media library from your local collection, curate playlists, get extensive audio format support, sync data with smartphones, and see visualizations while using this robust audio player for PC. Winamp also comes with a built-in web browser so you can browse your favorite website without going anywhere if needed.

However, a big selling point of Winamp is the support for custom skins, which means you can decorate this app the way you want by downloading skins. All of this makes Winamp a great contender for the best music player for Windows.

Furthermore, its makers are also working on a completely revamped version of Winamp, which might arrive in the coming future.

Features:

• Supports CD ripping and burning.
• Offers support for a variety of themes and plugins.
• Has a music visualizaer that shows up while playing music.
• Contains an in-built equalizer.

Supported Platforms: Windows

3. MusicBee

It is another well-known name in our list of the best music player for Windows 10/11. MusicBee is nearly a decade old and also works on Windows 7 and Windows 8.

As soon as you start using the music player, you’ll immediately appreciate its neat and clean user interface that is complemented by the color combination.

The creators of this free music player have made it easier for people who want to make a switch. MusicBee can easily import your iTunes music library. It comes with support for various audio formats, including MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, M4A, FLAC, OGG, APE, TAK, etc.

This audio player can sync your songs with Android phones, some iOS devices, USB drives, and other portable music players. It can also keep an eye on your hard drive for changes and update the music library automatically.

You can customize MusicBee with a number of skins and plugins (also supports some Winamp plugins). MusicBee’s list of features includes support for 15-band equalizer, DSP effects, CD ripping, automatic metadata import, etc.

MusicBee and doesn’t consume much space on your hard drive. It can be installed on Windows, just like any other software. But this Windows music player is also available as a portable version. Moreover, a UWP version of MusicBee is also available in Store.

Features:

• Contains sound filters.
• Offers support for a Winamp plugin.
• It can sync files from your smartphone and PC.
• Offers support for various themes.

Supported Platforms: Windows

4. foobar2000

Since its inception, foobar2000 has generated a cult following. Modular design of this simple music player for Windows 10/11 is big plus point. Thus, it’s easier to add new features and components to the free music player.

Foobar2000 desktop app is available for Windows 10/11 and older versions; it also offers portable installation. You can find this music software as a UWP app for Windows 10 and above. Foobar2000 apps are available for Android and iOS, as well.

In the first look, the interface is more minimalistic than any other audio app for PC out there. Some users might not like it, because, 2022 is here and people might not want to see a music player that appears to be designed for Windows 98. But as it’s said, don’t judge a book by its cover.

FooBar2000 can play a range of audio formats, including MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, FLAC, WAV, Opus, Speex, etc. It supports automatic meta import, CD ripping, and it can access compressed archives like ZIP, GZIP, 7z, etc. Then come the numerous keyboard shortcuts which you can customize at your will.

Features:

• It is open-sourced.
• Supports all file formats.
• Contains various advanced features such as CD ripping and burning, player controls, and more.

Supported Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS

5. AIMP

Hearing about AIMP gives a quick reminder of the great image editing software called GIMP. But this music player for Windows has no ties with GIMP which was developed by the GNU Project. In fact, AIMP, short for Artem Izmaylov, is named after its creator who released the first version in 2006.

For those people who consider visual appearance as a deal-breaker, AIMP is a top-rated music player in that sector. It can do a lot more than playing songs stored on the hard drive.

AIMP provides a good looking interface for organizing your song library, creating custom and smart playlists, rips CDs, manage meta tags, change player skins, etc.

Furthermore, AIMP can be a choice worth considering if you’re in search of a player for PC with equalizer. This Windows music player ships with an 18-band equalizer and a variety of sound effects to listen to the music as you like. A couple of things users would find convenient is the detachable playlist section and the ability to change the theme with a single click.

Regarding audio formats, this audio player for Windows supports almost every popular audio format out there. Also, there is a built-in audio converter, sleep timer, and an alarm clock feature, which even wakes a PC from sleep mode.

Features:

• It has a clean user interface.
• Contains various playback controls.
• Can easily search for music from a list.
• Offers support for editing tags of music files.

Supported Platforms: Windows, Android

Also Read: 11 Best Free Music Websites To Download Songs Legally

6. MediaMonkey

Another free music player software that can help you unclutter your messy collection is MediaMonkey. In the first appearance, it looks like a redesigned version of WMP but with way more features.

Besides playing numerous audio formats, this Microsoft Windows Media Player alternative can automatically tag audio files, help you sync files with devices, stream audio over your network, rip CDs, burn music to DVDs and CDs, convert audio format, manage volume automatically, and much more. This audio player for Windows has a dedicated jukebox that can help users fuel a party with their own music collection while preventing the library from being modified.

MediaMonkey is primarily a music app for Windows, but it’s also available in the form of Android and iOS apps that act as a wireless remote control. There is a premium version of the free music player called MediaMonkey Gold that is a way to get for an extra set of features.

Features:

• Offers support for recording music.
• Automatically searches for and applies metadata of an album like cover photo, artist name, year, etc.
• It can sync on Android and Windows over WiFi with ease.
• It allows editing tags of audio files.

Supported Platforms: Windows

7. VLC

Mostly known for playing movies and TV shows, VLC already tops the list of the best media players for Windows 10/11 in 2024. But the open source software has the capabilities to handle people’s music needs.

With VLC, users can easily create song playlists out of there local music collection and also stream it over their network. It also houses a number of online radio services that users can access at their fingertips. The built-in equalizer is complemented by other advanced audio management feature which VLC is already known for.

Why people love VLC is because it can play almost every audio and video format that exists. Also, VLC has some amazing tricks and hidden features up its sleeve. The availability of apps for almost every popular platform makes VLC one of the best free music player software as well.

Features:

• It can play almost every audio and video file.
• Offers a clean user interface with support for themes.
• It doesn’t contain any ads.
• Offers various playback controls.

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome OS, Apple TV, Windows Phone.

8. iTunes

Do I need to tell you about iTunes? Probably, the answer would be ‘No.’ Other than being a bridge between iOS devices and computers, iTunes is also one of the best free music players for Windows 10/11 in addition to macOS. A reason why you can prefer iTunes is this single music player can solve different types of music needs, but the bulkiness of this music player might compel some users to take a step back.

iTunes can play your locally stored music, and it can play the music you bought on the iTunes music store. And if you have subscribed to Apple Music, this free music player triples as an online music streaming app for Windows.

iTunes supports popular audio formats, including MP3, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, and AAC. It also provides an easy way to manage your songs in the library. Other than playing songs on your PC, you can also stream them to other devices on your local network using a feature called ‘home-sharing.’

Standard music player features in iTunes include the equalizer, optional compact mode, metadata import, etc. Another advantage that makes iTunes a considerable choice is that Apple backs it. So, updates and new features are added at regular intervals.

Features:

• It has an option for an equalizer.
• Allows importing metadata of music files.
• It gets updated regularly.

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android

9. Windows Media Player

The simplicity and ease of use offered by WMP still make it one of the best and free audio player software for Windows OS, even on Windows 10/11 as an optional feature.

If you don’t like the default look of the player, there are many custom skins for WMP. You’ll easily recognize what the music player has become as you would be able to see those visualizations while playing music.

WMP has got your back when it comes to playing different audio file formats, and it can also play some video formats and image formats. You can efficiently manage your songs library, create playlists, rip music, burn your music collection, etc.

The free music player can also import metadata from the internet. You can sync your music library with different types of portable devices using Windows Media Player. And just like iTunes, WMP also allows you to share your library over your local network.

If you are still looking for a Microsoft-owned music player and manager, you can check out the pre-installed Groove music software. The Windows app has recently gained quite a momentum.

Features:

• Supports various file formats.
• It is easy to use with a clean user interface.
• Offers various playback controls.
• Can also play videos.

Supported Platforms: Windows

10. Spotify

Many of you use Spotify streaming service on your iOS and Android smartphone. But you might not know, Spotify’s desktop app can turn out to be a great Windows music player app for your PC. It not only brings a vast collection of online music but allows you to play local content as well.

Similar to its phone apps, Spotify on Windows 10/11 syncs your account and adds “Friend’s activity” to the right side of the screen. Moreover, all the features are available on the desktop app. For instance, you can opt for a private session, play offline songs, listen to a podcast, and more.

The best part about having Spotify is that you can steam millions of songs as well as play music saved on your Windows PC. Not to mention, the fact that it’s a completely free music software for Windows 10/11.

You can also toggle on the experimental features on the Spotify music app for Windows. The only drawback it is more focused on streaming music as compared to other mp3 player apps, which means there are not many functions when it comes to local music.

Apart from this, you can even listen to spotify in your browser via the Spotify Web Player.

Features:

• Offers various playback features.
• Contains a vast library of music.
• Can easily filter and share music.
• It can play online music as well as tracks stored on your device.

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chromebook

What is the best free music player for Windows 10/11?

As you can see, each audio player for Windows 10/11 excels in some parts or the other. It all comes down to the fact which part of the media player you like the most.

While Dopamine seems to provide a simple music player, MusicBee, AIMP, and VLC offer features that cater to advanced users. On the other hand, Spotify and iTunes take you into the world of online music streaming. Also, there is Winamp, which can take you down the nostalgia lane.

So, in the end, you decide which one of them you see as the best music player for Windows 10/11. Whether you just want to listen to songs, manage a gigantic music library, or you prefer the looks of a Windows music player above everything else.

Share your views in the comment section below.

Frequently Asked Questions