Recs.
Updated
Simple, fast and powerful media player. Plays everything: Files, Discs, Webcams, Devices and Streams.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Free, open source, and cross-platform
VLC is licensed under the terms of GNU GPL v2 and is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pro Simple to setup and use
VLC is an incredibly robust application but very simple on the surface. It makes playing music simple, yet still manages to give the user all the tools he/she wants in a music player.
Pro Very wide video format support
If it's a video or audio file then chances are VLC can play it. Everything VLC needs to play media files is contained within which means no outside codecs are needed. This makes it one of the most hassle-free music players as it can play virtually anything as soon as it's installed.
Pro Surprisingly Lightest on Resources
Yes. Lightest. Even better than the ones known to be light. Both when playing music, only a single song or when playing a video. Either in terms of Ram and Cpu. Compared with almost all, including the ones from Windows like mpc-hc .. or light ones from Linux like Alsa Player, Audacious, SmPlayer .
Pro Tons of advanced settings
Besides basic configurations, video player has an extensive amount of adjustable settings.
Cons
Con Imperfect GUI
VLC's default GUI is both obtrusive and visually unappealing. The controls are mostly bulky while the seek bar is too narrow.
Con Blurry picture quality and low audio quality
Whatever Video Module Output on VLC produce always an image that is blurried, softer and harsher respect to Direct Show Players + EVR or madVR video renderer (see MPC-HC or Pot Player). Idem for the audio engine; harsh and compressed sound signature, poor volume control, like a veil on the sound. Poor usability. No excuses.
Con Absence of personalization
VLC Player has only one basic interface in white or black, and overall personalization opportunities are quite narrow. Unfortunately, you're pretty much stuck to the default look.
Con Lacks libraries and advanced music player features
VLC is a media player first and foremost. There is no library management (aside from playlists), limited usage of tags, and no rating system. VLC is best at playing a file directly from a folder, but falls behind when it comes to helping you manage or find good songs in your music library.
Recommendations
Comments
Flagged Pros + Cons
Pro Doesn't require additional codecs
Everything VLC needs to play media files is contained within which means no outside codecs are needed. This makes it one of the most hassle-free music players as it can play virtually anything as soon as it's installed.