AudaciousLinux
vs
WinampWindows
Audacious as a Linux alternative to Winamp
Updated
Our verdict
Audacious is a solid Linux replacement for Winamp for users who mainly need audio playback, playlists and skinning. It matches Winamp’s classic look with Winamp skins, offers a plugin system, and runs with very low resource usage, making it suitable for older hardware or minimalist setups. It lacks built‑in video playback, so anyone who relied on Winamp’s limited video support will need a separate video player. Overall, Audacious works well for music‑centric workflows and for users who value a lightweight, customizable UI.
- License
- BSD-2-Clause
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 4.6.2 (October 19, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports Winamp Classic skins
- Playlist creation and editing
- Plugin architecture for visualizers, lyrics, VU meters
- Audio visualizations and graphical equalizer
- Drag‑and‑drop file and folder handling
What is different
- No native video playback; Winamp could play simple video files
- Winamp’s extensive third‑party skin ecosystem is larger than Audacious’s current collection
- Audacious lacks built‑in internet radio directory integration that some Winamp versions had
- Winamp had a more extensive set of bundled visualizers; Audacious relies on plugins for many effects
- Winamp’s media library could index large collections automatically; Audacious requires manual playlist or external tools
Opening your Winamp files
Audacious can open any standard audio file that Winamp could (MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, etc.). Winamp’s playlist formats (M3U, PLS, XSPF) are also readable by Audacious, so you can import existing lists without conversion. Winamp’s skin files (.wsz) are supported, but custom Winamp plugins are not compatible.
Switching from Winamp to Audacious, step by step
- Install Audacious from your distribution’s repository or via Flathub.
- Copy your music folders and existing playlist files (M3U/PLS) to the new system.
- Place any Winamp Classic skin files (.wsz) into Audacious’s skin directory (~/.config/audacious/Skins).
- Open Audacious, load your playlists, and select the desired skin from the UI settings.
- Install additional plugins (e.g., visualizers, lyrics) through your package manager if needed.
Key features of Audacious
- Supports Winamp Classic skins
- Graphical equalizer with presets
- Plugin system for lyrics, VU meters, and more
- Drag and drop file and folder support
- CD audio playback and streaming support
- Modern Qt/GTK interface option
- Low memory and CPU usage
- Extensive audio format support via plugins
How to install Audacious on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.atheme.audacioussudo apt install audacioussudo apt install audacioussudo dnf install audacioussudo pacman -S audacioussudo zypper install audaciousFrequently asked questions
Can Audacious play video files like Winamp did?
No, Audacious is audio‑only. Use a separate video player such as VLC or MPV for video playback.
Will my Winamp skins work in Audacious?
Yes, Audacious supports Winamp Classic skins (.wsz). Just copy them to the Audacious skin folder and select them in the settings.
How do I import my Winamp playlists?
Audacious reads M3U, PLS and XSPF playlists directly. Open the playlist file from Audacious’s playlist manager to load it.
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