foobar2000 for Windows and Mac: Free Download Guide

foobar2000 is popular with people who care about their music library: it starts instantly, handles large collections smoothly and can be shaped into almost any layout you like.

Key features

• Wide format support: MP3, AAC, FLAC, Opus, WAV and more, with gapless playback.
• Customisable interface: Rearrange panels, columns and playlists to suit how you listen.
• Converter and ripper: Convert between audio formats and rip audio CDs.
• Tag editing and ReplayGain: Fix tags in bulk and keep volume levels consistent.
• Components: Add features with plug-in components.

Installing it

1. On foobar2000.org, Windows users choose between 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM installers; Mac users find the macOS version on the same site.
2. Run the installer; on first launch, foobar2000 asks you to choose a layout and where your music folder is.

Old hardware and safe downloads

The developer recommends hardware no older than about 20 years and keeps a separate page for legacy systems. foobar2000 may only be redistributed as an unmodified installer, so download it from foobar2000.org.

Picking a build and adding encoders

The 64-bit installer suits most PCs, and the ARM build is meant for Windows laptops with ARM processors. The choice matters later, because components are built for a specific platform: the official component listing can be filtered by Windows 32-bit, Windows 64-bit, Windows ARM and macOS, so check that an add-on supports the build you installed before you download it. New users are also often surprised by the Converter. For many output formats, MP3 among them, it relies on external encoder programs, and the developer offers a Free Encoder Pack on the download page to supply them.