WordPress has built-in support to handle audio files in various formats. It can automatically embed an audio file in a supported format, but what if you need more features like playlists, customization options, etc? In this article, we have hand-picked the bet audio player plugins for WordPress.
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1. Add Audio Files and Playlists in WordPress
WordPress can automatically embed an audio file in mp3 format. All you need to do is upload the file using the media uploader, and insert the file URL in the post editor like this:
http://www.example.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/music.mp3
You can also create playlists by selecting multiple audio files in media uploader and clicking the create audio playlist link from the left.
When you insert the audio playlist in the post editor, you will be able to see it in the visual editor. You can add audio playlists in any WordPress post or page.
2. Audio Album
Audio Album plugin is written for the purpose of displaying audio playlists and albums using the built-in WordPress functionality. Audio Album extends this functionality by offering an easier way to style your media player and the appearance of your albums.
It can also be used to add single tracks. The plugin comes with easy to use shortcodes that offer plenty of options. It also provides a basic stylesheet that you can edit to customize the media player.
3. Simple Audio Player
Simple Audio Player is a comprehensive audio plugin for WordPress. Instead of using HTML5 as the default playback option, Simple Audio Player uses flash as the default and HTML5 as the fallback.
The plugin also provides easier options to change the color and size of the media player. Simple audio player plugin lets you enter audio playlists and tracks using a shortcode.
4. Compact WP Audio Player
The default WordPress audio player takes all the available width in your post area. Compact WP Audio player solves this by adding a smaller audio player that can be easily adjusted to meet your needs.
This plugin uses HTML5 playback as the default option and offers flash as the fallback. It is fully responsive and even if you select a wider player, it will adjust itself automatically to fit user’s device or screen size.
5. HTML5 jQuery Audio Player
HTML5 jQuery Audio Player offers a customizable and trendy looking audio player for WordPress. It comes with a lot of options, and it can also be used with Easy Digital Downloads to sell your digital content.
Your users can rate songs without leaving the page. The main feature of the plugin is its visual appearance. It can also display your album art and meta data beautifully.
6. CP Media Player
CP Media Player is a beautiful audio/video player for WordPress. It comes with a custom media player with several skins to change its appearance. It works on all devices and is fully responsive. Another useful feature of CM media player is the ability to display subtitles using the WebSRT format.
7. Simple Music Widget
Simple Music Widget adds an audio player widget that you can add to sidebars on your WordPress site. It is particularly useful if you want to display media along with other content on your website.
Simple music widget is extremely easy to use and comes with its own widget settings. See our tutorial on how to add an audio music player widget in WordPress.
8. SoundCloud is Gold
As the name suggests, SoundCloud is Gold is a WordPress plugin for SoundCloud. It allows you to easily manage your audio files hosted on SoundCloud. WordPress automatically embeds SoundCloud files using the oEmbed protocols, but this plugin allows you to do much more than that.
You can manage your SoundCloud files from within your WordPress admin area, add files to your posts and pages without leaving the post editor, and add albums / playlists on the fly.
9. Blubrry PowerPress Podcasting
Blubrry PowerPress Podcasting is the best WordPress plugin for podcaster. It is a powerful, feature rich solution designed specifically for podcasting. It works with any hosting solution, but it works particularly well with Blubrry a hosted solution for podcasters.
It optimizes your podcast files for SEO, allows you to manage your podcasts efficiently, and more importantly it allows your users to easily subscribe to your podcast. Check out our step by step guide on how to start a podcast with WordPress.
We hope this article helped you find the best audio player for your WordPress site. You may also want to check out our list of best WordPress themes for bands and musicians.
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Collins says
Please how can I change my wp audio player layout
WPBeginner Support says
It would depend on the method you’re using, if you reach out to the plugin’s support they should be able to let you know what is available by default.
Admin
Mohsin Alam says
Is it possible to upload files to box.com or dropbox.com or mega.nz and use link to play with those plugins? At least upload to other directories of root and use direct link rather than upload to wp-admin media folders? Thanks
Ousman says
Hello, this is a great article.
I want to build a website that runs a live radio. Any help on how to go about it?
Tim says
Thank you for the article. I am converting several thousand old audio speaking cassette tapes to WAV and MP3 files. I think I am going to put the files on SoundCloud. I would like!E to use WordPress and allow the visitors to be able to search for specific titles by keyword(s). Can you point me.in the right direction for allowing visitors to search the audio database and then play or download one or more of the search results? We are providing a free service so selling is not involved. Thanks again for the article and your help!
ian m says
hi there,
i am trying to set up a music library where i can license music to my clients. essentially all i need is an audio player that can playback all of the content. but i need a way to filter the results. so i need something that allows me to tag the tracks with info like tempo, mood, genre… and ideally also have a search function. can you recommend any of the audio players listed above or others?
greetings from berlin,
ian
WPBeginner Support says
Hi Ian,
You would probably need to build it with custom post types, then use custom taxonomies to add tags. You can use an audio player plugin from the list above. For search feature, you can check out SearchWP.
Admin
Bjarke Damgaard Larsen says
Hello there,
Have been looking around for a Audio-player with some pretty specific features.
The two features that have to be covered are:
A. Pay to listen (you can listen to a snippet before paying)
B. After paying – You gain full access AND the option to add notes/comments to timestamps, while listening (This feature is seen in the Audible-app. from Amazon).
Is this something that exist as a WP-plugin?
Br Bjarke
Gigi says
I found exactly what I needed. Thanks a lot. One more thing, this post seems to be a year ago. Are there any updated audio plugging that I can put on the footer of my site that would pop up when someone goes tho that page?
KMR says
hi , I have an overview of 30 seconds to the music I sell in my website. how i can fix that?
Golden Ratio says
Can you recommend the best third-party services to embed my audio files before I publish them to my website?
Thanks,
WPBeginner Support says
SoundCloud or if you need something with support then check out guide on how to setup a podcast in WordPress.
Admin
Webperts says
I am looking for some thing play music in background when page load and user can control that music to start or stop.
Nella says
I’m looking for the same thing actually; like sound cloud for example…
Nikk Hunter says
Just to let people know, many of these audio player plugins can easily be hacked into and the streamed mp3’s can be downloaded (you just need to ‘Inspect Element’ in Chrome and find the source URL). So I’d recommend not using the majority of these of you’re selling digital content! I am yet to find a decent plugin that cannot be hacked.
WPBeginner Support says
If you embed an audio file on a web page, it will be downloaded and can be easily copied. These plugins use HTML5 audio player, you can try a flash player, still the file would be downloadable using some hack. The purpose of these players is to make it easier for users to play the files.
Admin
Euler says
How to let the player running at the same time to be browsing the site?
Andre says
hi mate. I would like a thing!
I know tell me how to let the player running at the same time to be browsing the site? And update it as typing some other player?
Connor Rickett says
My first thought on reading the title was, “Why would you use a plugin for something WordPress does just fine natively?”
You did make a pretty good case for the expanded capabilities and styling offered by some of the plugins here, though, so I guess I stand corrected.
Why, though, do you recommend Blubrry? Seriously Simple Podcasting does everything most people could ask of a podcasting plugin, in a less bloated and obnoxious fashion, for free. Blubrry’s a good plugin (even if they do try to charge you truly obscene rates for what amounts to a very tiny piece of storage on a server), but it’s hard to see why it would show up on this list, but SSP wouldn’t.
anis says
Does embedding mp3 files on my wp site affect the bandwidth ?
Would it not be better to embed them on any other third party service ?
WPBeginner Support says
Yes, it would be better.
Admin