Our verdict: Audacious is a small, fast music player that does not get in the way. It can look like a modern player or like classic Winamp, skins included. Library management is basic, so it suits people who play folders and playlists rather than browse a big catalog.
About Audacious
Audacious is an open-source player developed by volunteers, mainly for Linux, with an official Windows build. It is released under a BSD-style license.
It uses Qt by default and offers two interfaces: a standard window with playlist tabs and a Winamp Classic interface that loads Winamp 2 skins. Plugins add formats, effects, visualizations and output options.
What it does well
- Two interfaces. Choose a modern Qt window or a Winamp Classic interface with skin support.
- Low resource use. Starts quickly and uses little memory, even with long playlists.
- Plugins. Effects, visualizations, lyrics, scrobbling and extra format support.
- Playlist tabs. Keep several playlists open at once and switch between them.
- Equalizer and effects. Built-in equalizer, crossfade, ReplayGain and other effect plugins.
Who it is for
Good fit
People who want a light player for folders and playlists, especially fans of the classic Winamp look.
Look elsewhere
Collectors who need a rich music library, tag editing or 32-bit Windows support.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast and light
- Winamp Classic skins supported
- Open source with no ads
Cons
- Basic music library
- Windows build is secondary to Linux
- No 32-bit or Windows 7 support in current versions
How to install Audacious
Download the .exe installer from audacious-media-player.org; the .zip is a portable alternative. The file name says win32, but current versions need 64-bit Windows 10 or later. Switch to the Winamp-style look under Settings → Appearance → Interface.
Questions about Audacious
Is Audacious free?
Yes. It is open source under a BSD license and free for any use.
Can Audacious use Winamp skins?
Yes. The Winamp Classic interface loads classic Winamp 2 skins.
