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Top 11 M4A Players
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When it comes to M4A media players, there’s no shortage of choice. Having so many different ways to play audio files is great, but can make choosing the right M4A player a little tricky. Here we cover excellent M4A file players, meaning there’ll be something for everyone.
Best M4A players
1. VLC
VLC media player is perhaps the most famous product offered by the VideoLAN Organization. It’s most well-known for being totally free. You can download and use the program without worrying about having to pay for a subscription, see distracting advertisements, or have your data collected and sold. Additionally, you can add extensions and skins to your program to customize its appearance and function. VLC can decode and play a wide range of files, including M4A files, and runs on every major operating system – as well as many less common operating systems, too.
Pros:
Completely free and open-source
Customizable features
Compatible with many operating systems and able to process many file types
Cons:
Fewer advanced features than some of the other options on this list
2. MusicBee
If you want to turn your computer into a jukebox, then MusicBee might be the right choice. It’s only available on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, and is designed to fit both aesthetically and functionally with those operating systems. Now, if you’re wondering, “What is M4A audio – isn’t it made by Apple?” then don’t worry. Yes, the M4A file type was developed by Apple, but MusicBee can process M4A files just fine. Upload your music library and enjoy the program’s features, which include gapless playback, volume normalization, auto-tagging, and much more.
Pros:
Multiple powerful features to improve and optimize sound quality
Carefully designed user interface is easy to navigate
Various add-ons available, from skins to plugins and more
Cons:
Free for personal use only
Only available on Windows
As you can probably guess, this program is designed to play Blu-ray discs. However, it can process various audio file types, including M4A. The program utilizes various audio playback techniques, including Apple Lossless Audio Codec, to ensure your audio playback is high quality and in proper stereo.
Pros:
Play Blu-ray discs, as well as a range of other video file types, in addition to your M4A files
Straightforward user interface
Customize playback settings for a personalized experience
Cons:
Full version requires a one-time payment
4. 5KPlayer
With hundreds of five-star reviews, 5KPlayer must be doing something right. It’s a free-to-download program that is part video player, part music player, part online downloader, and part media streamer. That’s a lot of features for a relatively small and simple program! Because of these features, you can use 5KPlayer to download M4A audio files to your device. Of course, you can also play those files, as well as a range of other audio and video files.
Pros:
Free to download
Stream audio and video files wirelessly without any loss in quality
Download videos and audio files from online sites like SoundCloud
Use the program to listen to radio stations
Cons:
Website is a little less straightforward to navigate than others on this list
This is another program technically designed to process Blu-ray movies with the additional ability to process M4A audio files. Like other options on this list, AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player can handle a wide range of file types, both audio and video. The software supports various audio codecs, meaning you can listen to your M4A files without any loss in quality.
Pros:
Free to try
Plenty of file types supported
Carefully designed menu navigation makes it easy to use
Listen to audio in high-quality
Cons:
Full version requires payment
6. Windows Media Player
One of the most famous playback software out there, Windows Media Player was developed by Microsoft decades ago. It remains a classic choice for people looking to store, organize, and view media, including audio, photos, and videos. Various file types are supported, including M4A files. Additional features include the ability to organize your audio files into playlists, transfer files to external storage (including CDs or portable music players), and stream your files in high quality.
Pros:
Free to use
Wide range of features, including media beyond audio
Optimized for the Windows operating system
Cons:
Compatible with fewer file types than some other options on this list
7. Foobar2000
At first look, Foobar2000 might seem like a relic from, well, 2000. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, there’s no need to fix something that isn’t broken. That being said, Foobar2000 is still receiving updates. It supports most major audio file types, including M4A. With optional extensions, called components, you can increase the list of supported file types even further. If you’re looking for a bare-bones, simple audio file organizer and player, Foobar2000 could be a great choice.
Pros:
Freeware, meaning free to download and use
Still receiving bug fixes and updates from the developers
Available on major operating systems, including mobile
Website includes sections with screenshots and support forums for troubleshooting
Cons:
Fewer features available, and fewer files types supported, than some of the other options in this list
8. MediaMonkey
MediaMonkey claims to be for “serious collectors.” Even casual collectors could benefit from the program’s features, which include a powerful media organization and management tools. The software can perform many organizational tasks automatically, such as identifying missing data, renaming files, deleting duplicate files, creating playlists, and more. You can also use MediaMonkey to convert your files into other formats, including to and from M4A.
Pros:
Powerful organizational tools can help you sort out even large and unwieldy collections of audio files
Convert files into different formats
High-quality audio and video playback
Cons:
While the basic features are available for free, additional tools require paying for the Gold version of the program
Paying for a MediaMonkey for Windows Gold license doesn’t unlock pro features on the Android version, and vice versa
9. JetAudio
JetAudio is another program with a somewhat basic website. Given that it was first released in 1997, that’s not altogether surprising. Over the years, it’s received plenty of updates, and is now on the eighth version, released in 2023. It’s available in multiple languages, and its visual simplicity belies powerful features. You’ll be able to listen to all the common audio and file types, including M4A. Interestingly, the program also allows you to perform a number of edits to your files, from adding reverb and flange to messing with pitch and time.
Pros:
Basic version is available for free
Most major audio file types supported
Perform various edits to your audio files
Cons:
Free version contains ads
Commercial use, as well as some features, require payment
10. Lark Player
Over 100 million people have downloaded Lark Player, and more than 4 million of them have left positive reviews. Why? Well, the program is somewhat unique in that the developers have focused on making it look stylish. If the appearance of your audio player matters, then that might be a major advantage. Of course, Lark Player can play M4A files, as well as most other common audio and video file formats. Basic file management is possible, as is playback customization through tools like the equalizer.
Pros:
Free to download
Straightforward, minimalist user interface is easy and pleasant to use
Create playlists to organize your audio files
Cons:
Users have reported that songs appear out of order when an album is imported
Contains ads
11. VLC for Android
As one of the most popular media players and editors on Google Play, VLC for Android is a great choice for anyone looking to play M4A files on their mobile device. VLC for Android is pretty much the same as VLC, albeit optimized for mobile use. Basically any audio file type is supported, including M4A, as are many video file formats.
Pros:
Free to download
Easily create and manage playlists
Wide range of file types supported
Cons:
Fewer features than the desktop version
How to convert M4A files
We’ve covered software for playing M4A files. But what about converting them? If, for example, you have a file that you want to convert to an M4A file, then a great option is Movavi Video Converter. There are a range of video options available, from powerful compression to quality upscaling to precise trimming – and, of course, the option to convert video into M4A files, and M4A files into other audio file formats.
If you want to use Movavi Video Converter to convert M4A files, follow these instructions:
- Download and install the program.
- Upload the audio files that you want to convert. Do this by clicking Add Media and then Add audio. You can then select and add all the audio files you wish to convert.
- Select your desired output. If you want to convert your audio files to a different audio file format, look through the Audio tab. Various options are available.
- Check where you’re saving your files by clicking on Save to.
- Once you’re ready, click Convert.
Summary
We’ve covered a wide variety of options for playing (and converting) M4A files. Remember, there’s no single perfect option. Consider your specific needs to ensure you select a program that works best for you.
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