2. An intuitive MP3 player for Mac users: IINA

From the outset, the Mac MP3 player IINA tried hard to stand out. While it sports an outlandish design and features, the user experience is pleasant–if a little weird. There is nothing extraordinary about the format support and the playback quality, but once you see the user interface, you’ll notice the difference.

Unusual for MP3 players for Mac, IINA makes full use of trackpad gestures, the Touch Bar, dark mode, and other macOS system features. The user feels immersed in the Apple ecosystem with IINA’s uncanny authenticity. While it’s not that common for apps to try to “blend in” with macOS, IINA took a curious but engaging direction.

Latest update: Jul 07, 2023

Pros

The Mac MP3 player interface design is true to Apple
Adequate execution in every other aspect

Cons

No advanced features
Some odd aesthetic decisions

3. An MP3 player for Macs when cost isn’t an issue: VOX

This Mac MP3 player app has plenty of unique features and small conveniences. It’s one of the better radio apps if you’re looking for a classic lo-fi listening experience. But it also sports a variety of modern capabilities, like cloud storage, playlist sync, and even high-class bonuses like gapless playback. If you’re a music enthusiast, VOX is the MP3 player for Mac that will serve your specific tastes.

However, it comes with one of the worst monetization models in existence––a subscription fee. The $5 expense each month adds up fast if you’re already paying for streaming services like Spotify. Is it worth the scratch? You decide. Despite the licensing fee, it says a lot about VOX’s quality when it’s one of our top picks for the best Mac MP3 players.

Latest update: Dec 11, 2023

Pros

Hardcore listeners will appreciate the diverse features
Syncing and cloud storage for your tracks
Unique capabilities

Cons

It has a monthly fee of $4.99
Hard on the CPU
The free version isn’t worth considering

4. A Mac MP3 player when you’re on the go: Colibri

Our previous entries focused on Mac MP3 players for home and office setups. But which one among the MP3 players for Macs is better when you’re on the go, without an outlet? We confidently recommend Colibri. This lightweight, miniature app uses a meager amount of CPU power. Low CPU from an MP3 player for Mac translates into longer battery life–no matter how long your playlists.

Colibri is the app for picnics, train rides, any time you’re away from home, and reliable power. You’ll never have to worry about your laptop’s battery power running low from your Mac MP3 player. However, for everyday use, Colibri is just passable, even when compared to QuickTime.

Latest update: Nov 16, 2023

Pros

Efficient power management
It helps you leave your desk (with your music) once in a while

Cons

Costs money
The user interface is very sparse

5. The Mac MP3 player for Hi-Fi systems: Audirvana

Even though Audirvana pales compared to other Mac MP3 players on this list, it’s still a decent generic music player. There’s no need to describe the standard features––it’s the basic package you can expect from any MP3 player for Macintosh. It’s one of our top five because the app has a unique advantage over other MP3 players for Mac.

As a Mac MP3 player, Audirvana provides many options for a Hi-Fi system. It can act as a Hi-Fi source and modify minute things such as DAC thresholds and oversampling levels. Moreover, users can control the desktop app by a mobile extension––such as a remote. It’s an incredibly convenient MP3 player for Mac if you’ve got a high-quality sound system and aren’t concerned with the interface.

Latest update: 20 Apr, 2023

Pros

Standard features are on the level
Advanced Hi-Fi system support, multichannel included
Convenient to use in a sound system

Cons

High cost for a Mac MP3 player

6. An all-in-one MP3 player for Mac that's more than just a Player: DumpMedia Video Converter

Does it annoy you when you finally find something you've been looking for a long time, like a really rare live version of a song, only to discover it's in a format you can't directly play on your Mac? There are many formats that can't be played directly on macOS: WMA, OGG, AMR, APE, and more. Of course, you can find a dedicated player for each format, but what if I tell you there's a one-stop solution?

Meet DumpMedia Video Converter. Despite being called a "Video Converter", DumpMedia Video Converter is actually an all-in-one multimedia player and converter. It supports a wide range of input and output formats, including AVI, FLV, MP4, M4V, MKV, MOV, 3GP, 3G2, SWF, WMV, ASF, AAC, AC3, AIFF, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA, and more. You can basically convert media files of any format to MP3 and also play them using this software as you like. Besides that, it is also a video editor, a subtitle adder, a video enhancer, and a DVD ripper. Its capabilities are beyond your imagination.

Latest update: Mar 7, 2024

Pros

Comprehensive functionality
Supports a wide range of input/output formats
Supports lossless format conversion

Cons

Only offers a free 15-day trial; subscription required for continued use

The Key Features Every Mac MP3 Player Must Have:

Extensive audio format support: MP3, FLAC, AAC, ALAC, WMA, etc.
Wi-Fi streaming features
Options to create and edit playlists
Features to fine-tune the experience
Flawless playback quality

Best Mac MP3 Players for 2024

1. The best MP3 player for Mac in 2024: Elmedia

2. An intuitive MP3 player for Mac users: IINA

3. An MP3 player for Macs when cost isn’t an issue: VOX

4. A Mac MP3 player when you’re on the go: Colibri

5. The Mac MP3 player for Hi-Fi systems: Audirvana

6. An all-in-one MP3 player for Mac that's more than just a Player: DumpMedia Video Converter

The Key Features Every Mac MP3 Player Must Have:

How do I play an MP3 file on my Mac?

Which media player has the best sound quality?

How to increase sound quality on Mac?