Clementine Music PlayerLinux
vs
Windows Media PlayerWindows
Clementine Music Player as a Linux alternative to Windows Media Player
Updated
Our verdict
Clementine is a solid replacement for Windows Media Player if your main focus is audio, especially local music libraries and internet radio. It handles common formats like MP3, FLAC, and MP4 audio well, and its library management is strong. However, it is not ideal for video playback—interface quirks and limited video support make it less suitable than dedicated players. If you prioritize music organization, playlists, and cloud or streaming integration, Clementine excels. But for casual users wanting simple video playback like in Windows Media Player, a tool like VLC or mpv is better.
- License
- GPL-3.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.4.0rc2 (April 23, 2020)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Plays common audio formats including MP3, FLAC, and MP4
- Supports basic playback controls: play, pause, seek, and volume
- Simple, intuitive interface focused on music playback
- Can import playlists in M3U, XSPF, PLS, and ASX formats
- Plays local files and supports library organization
What is different
- Clementine focuses on audio; video support is limited and often problematic
- Includes advanced features like cloud storage and internet radio not in WMP
- No native WMV or ASF format support; struggles with some Windows-specific containers
- Lacks built-in DVD or CD ripping, though it can play audio CDs
- Remote control and podcast support go beyond WMP's core functionality
Opening your Windows Media Player files
Clementine opens most audio files that Windows Media Player handles, including MP3, FLAC, AAC, and OGG. It reads MP4 audio tracks but has inconsistent support for WMV or ASF containers. For playlists, it imports M3U, XSPF, PLS, and ASX—common formats used in WMP. However, it does not reliably play all WMP-specific video files, especially WMV. If you rely on video playback, this is a significant limitation. Transcoding helps convert unsupported files, but it's not automatic during playback.
Switching from Windows Media Player to Clementine Music Player, step by step
- Install Clementine via package manager or Flathub
- Launch Clementine and set your music folder as the library source
- Import existing playlists using M3U or XSPF files if available
- Use 'Edit Tags' and 'Fetch Missing Tags' to clean up metadata
- Enable cloud services in settings if using Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
Key features of Clementine Music Player
- Search and play local library
- Internet radio from Spotify, Soundcloud, Icecast, Subsonic
- Cloud integration (Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive)
- Smart and dynamic playlists
- Tag editing and transcode to MP3/Ogg/FLAC/AAC
- Lyrics, album art, and visualisations
- M3U/XSPF/PLS/ASX import/export
- Remote control via MPRIS or Android
How to install Clementine Music Player on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.clementine_player.ClementineFrequently asked questions
Can Clementine play my old Windows Media Player playlists?
Yes, if they are in M3U, XSPF, PLS, or ASX format. Import them through File > Open Playlist. ASX support is limited, so conversion may be needed.
Does Clementine play WMV or AVI files like WMP?
It attempts to play them, but video support is weak. WMV playback is unreliable. For video, use VLC or mpv instead.
Can I transfer my music library from WMP to Clementine?
Yes. Point Clementine to the same folder where your music is stored. It will scan and index the same files WMP used.
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