Best Music Players That Are Worth Trying On Linux

Introduction

Linux users often need a reliable music player that can handle various audio formats, import and export playlists, and provide an enjoyable listening experience. In this article, we will introduce you to the best music players for Linux, both open-source and proprietary, that are worth trying. We will learn about their details, benefits, and drawbacks of each player, along with a step-by-step guide on how to install and use them on your Linux system.

Rhythmbox

Rhythmbox is a popular and feature-rich music player for Linux. It is a simple and easy-to-use player that supports a wide range of audio formats. Rhythmbox comes pre-installed on some Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, but it can also be downloaded and installed on other systems.

Benefits of Rhythmbox

• Easy-to-use interface − Rhythmbox has a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to manage their music library.

• Playlist management − Rhythmbox allows users to create and manage playlists easily, import and export them, and even drag and drop songs between playlists.

• Support for multiple audio formats − Rhythmbox supports a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, FLAC, WAV, OGG and more, making it easy for users to play their music regardless of format.

Drawbacks of Rhythmbox

• Limited customization options: While Rhythmbox is simple and easy to use, it does not offer many customization options, such as themes or skins, for users who want to personalize their player.

Installation Guide

• Open the terminal on your Linux system.

• Run "sudo apt-get install rhythmbox -y" command.

• Once installed, open Rhythmbox from your applications menu.

• Add your music library by clicking "Music" in the top left corner and selecting "Import Folder" or "Import iTunes Library."

• Enjoy your music by playing a song from your library or playlist.

Clementine

Clementine is a versatile and customizable music player for Linux that offers advanced features and a range of customization options. Clementine can be downloaded and installed on Linux, Windows, and macOS systems.

Benefits of Clementine

• Support for multiple audio formats − Clementine can handle a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, FLAC, AAC, and more, making it a versatile player for any music library.

• Mobile device syncing − Clementine can sync with your Android phone, iPod, or iPhone, allowing you to manage your music library and playlists on the go.

• Integration with online music services − Clementine supports integration with online music services, such as Spotify, Grooveshark, and Sky.fm, allowing you to stream and discover new music.

Drawbacks of Clementine

• Occasional crashes: Some users have reported occasional crashes when using Clementine, which can be frustrating for those who rely on the player regularly.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Open the terminal on your Linux system.

• Run "sudo apt-get install clementine" command.

• Once installed, open Clementine from your Applications menu.

Amarok

Amarok is a powerful and flexible music player that offers advanced music organization features, support for album art and lyrics, and a customizable interface. This open-source music player has been around since 2003 and has developed a loyal following among Linux users. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of using Amarok −

Benefits

• Advanced music organization features − Amarok makes it easy to manage large music collections, thanks to its advanced music organization features. Users can create smart playlists, view detailed metadata information, and browse their music by genre, artist, and album.

• Support for album art and lyrics − Amarok automatically fetches album art and lyrics from the internet, making it easy for users to access this information without having to search for it themselves.

• Customizable interface − Amarok's interface is highly customizable, allowing users to choose from a variety of layouts, themes, and plugins.

Drawbacks

• Steep learning curve − Amarok's advanced features come at a cost. The program can be difficult to learn for new users, and may require some time to get accustomed to.

• Occasional bugs − Some users have reported occasional bugs and crashes when using Amarok, although these issues have become less frequent in recent releases.

If you're interested in trying out Amarok, here's how to install and use it on Linux −

• Open your terminal and type the following command to install Amarok −

  • sudo apt-get install amarok

• Once the installation is complete, open Amarok from your application menu.

• When you first launch Amarok, you will be prompted to import your music library. Follow the on-screen instructions to do so.

Audacious

Audacious is a lightweight and customizable music player that is perfect for users who want a simple, no-frills music player. This open-source program has been around since 2005 and is known for its low resource usage and customizable interface. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of using Audacious −

Benefits

• Low resource usage − Audacious is a lightweight program that uses very little system resources, making it ideal for older or less powerful computers.

• Customizable interface − Audacious allows users to customize the program's interface using skins and plugins.

Drawbacks

• Limited feature set − Audacious is a simple music player that lacks many of the advanced features found in other programs.

• Lack of support for certain audio formats − While Audacious supports many popular audio formats, it does not support some less common ones, such as WMA.

If you're interested in trying out Audacious, here's how to install and use it on Linux −

• Open your terminal and type the following command to install Audacious −

  • sudo apt-get install audacious

• Once the installation is complete, open Audacious from your application menu.

• When you first launch Audacious, you will be prompted to import your music library. Follow the on-screen instructions to do so.

Conclusion

Choosing the right music player is important for Linux users who want to enjoy their music collection to the fullest. In this article, we've discussed four of the best music players available for Linux, including Rhythmbox, Clementine, Amarok, and Audacious. Each of these programs has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it's important to choose the one that meets your needs and preferences.