LollypopLinux
vs
WinampWindows
Lollypop as a Linux alternative to Winamp
Updated
Our verdict
Lollypop is a solid, lightweight replacement for basic Winamp users who prioritize a clean GNOME experience over deep customization. It handles playlists, libraries, and common audio formats well, including FLAC and MP3. However, it lacks the extensive skinning engine and plugin ecosystem that defined Winamp. If you relied on third-party visualizers or specific skins, you will find Lollypop restrictive. It is best for users who want a modern, distraction-free player with online metadata and do not need complex audio processing or video playback.
- License
- GPL-3.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.4.48 (October 10, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports common audio formats like MP3, FLAC, and OGG
- Organizes music into playlists and libraries
- Fetches online metadata such as lyrics and artwork
- Provides a dedicated interface for music playback
What is different
- Lacks a user-configurable skinning engine; UI follows GNOME theme
- No support for video formats, focusing strictly on audio
- Limited plugin architecture compared to Winamp's extensive ecosystem
- No built-in, highly customizable audio visualizers like Winamp's
Opening your Winamp files
Lollypop does not natively import Winamp .m3u or .wpl playlist files directly through a standard import dialog. You can likely open .m3u files if they are in a standard text format, but complex Winamp playlists with metadata may not transfer perfectly. There is no known direct exporter to Winamp formats. You will need to manually create playlists in Lollypop or use a third-party converter to translate Winamp playlist structures into a format Lollypop can understand.
Switching from Winamp to Lollypop, step by step
- Install Lollypop via your package manager or Flathub
- Point Lollypop to your existing music directory
- Scan the directory to build the library and fetch metadata
- Manually recreate favorite playlists using Lollypop's interface
- Configure online metadata sources if desired
- Test playback of various audio formats to ensure compatibility
Key features of Lollypop
- Lightweight GNOME‑centric UI
- Party mode auto‑selects party playlists
- Fullscreen couch mode for remote control
- Online fetching of lyrics, artwork, biography
- Native ReplayGain support
- Supports common audio formats (MP3, FLAC, OGG, AAC)
How to install Lollypop on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Lollypopsudo apt install lollypopsudo apt install lollypopsudo dnf install lollypopsudo pacman -S lollypopsudo zypper install lollypopFrequently asked questions
Does Lollypop support video files?
No, Lollypop is an audio-only player. It does not handle video formats like MP4 or MKV.
Can I install custom skins in Lollypop?
No, Lollypop uses the standard GNOME theme. You cannot install third-party skins to change the interface appearance.
Is Lollypop available on all Linux distributions?
Yes, it is packaged for major distributions including Arch, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, and Ubuntu, and is also available on Flathub.
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