Our verdict: Winamp is the classic skinnable player, still free and still good at playing a local music library. It suits people who like its compact interface and plugin ecosystem. Development is slow, and the website now focuses on a creator platform rather than the player.
About Winamp
Winamp has been around since 1997 and is now owned by Llama Group. The desktop player for Windows remains free to download from winamp.com.
It plays local audio files and playlists, manages a media library and supports classic and modern skins. Many older plugins and visualizations still work, which is the main reason long-time users stay with it.
What it does well
- Skins. Classic and modern skins change the whole look of the player.
- Media library. Browse local music by artist, album and genre and build playlists.
- Plugins. Input, output, DSP and visualization plugins extend the player.
- Internet radio. Plays online radio streams alongside local files.
- Equalizer. Built-in 10-band equalizer with presets.
Who it is for
Good fit
Long-time Winamp users and anyone who wants a compact, skinnable player for local files.
Look elsewhere
People who want active development, modern library features or streaming service integration.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Familiar, compact interface
- Huge collection of skins
- Plugin and visualization support
Cons
- Slow development and dated codebase
- The website pushes creator accounts rather than the player
- Closed source
How to install Winamp
Download the installer from winamp.com; the download button starts the latest full version. During setup, review the component list and leave out the parts you do not need. Older third-party plugins may need to be reinstalled after an upgrade.
Questions about Winamp
Is Winamp free?
Yes. The Winamp desktop player for Windows is free to download and use.
Do old Winamp skins still work?
Most classic skins work in the current version. Some modern skins made for older releases may not.
