WMA Players For Mac – Play Windows Media Audio Files On Your Mac

WMA (Windows Media Audio) is not compatible with Apple devices. This guide reviews the best WMA players for Mac: Elmedia Player, Cisdem Video Player, Vidmore Player, VLC, and 5KPlayer. Each player has its own pros and cons, such as free options, compatibility with various file formats, conversion capabilities, and more. If conversion is needed, options like Cisdem and VLC offer this feature. Stay tuned for our next post detailing a step-by-step tutorial on using these players and converting WMA files on your Mac.

What’s WMA, and How to Play It on Mac?

Hey, folks! :raised_hand_with_fingers_splayed: Ever run into a Windows Media Audio (WMA) file on your Mac and had no idea how to play it? Yup, been there. So WMA, also known as WMA Standard or WMA Std, is originally from Windows Media Player. It works great on Windows, but Apple devices? Not so much… :sweat_smile:

But don’t worry! I’ve got some pretty solid options here to help you play those WMAs on your macOS without going through the hassle of converting files or searching for additional codecs. Let’s dig in! :man_detective:

Important Bit: :loudspeaker:

Quick heads-up: Apple’s QuickTime doesn’t support a bunch of formats, WMA included. Want proof? Check out the list here.

5 Top WMA Players for Mac Users

1. Elmedia Player

You can grab Elmedia Player, a super simple media player, right from the App Store. Perfect for playing both WMA and WMV files. Audiophiles would love the EQ settings for tweaking the sound just the way you like it. :blush:

It’s compatible with Intel and Apple M1/M2 chips and even supports streaming through Airplay.

Pros:

  • Works flawlessly on M1/M2 and Intel Macs.
  • Awesome EQ settings for sound customization.

Cons:

  • No file conversion option.
  • Costs $19.99 (no free version).

:star: App Store Rating: 4.5/5
:moneybag: Price: Free, PRO upgrade at $19.99

How to Play WMA Using Elmedia Player:

  1. Install Elmedia Player from the App Store or their official website.

  2. Find the WMA file in Finder, right-click, and choose Open With > Elmedia Player.

  3. Hit the Play button or stream it to other screens. :tada:

2. Cisdem

Cisdem Video Player is another fab option. No extra codecs or plugins are needed—just download and play. :notes: Supports a wide range of formats, both video and audio.

Pros:

  • Free to play all WMA files.
  • Lightweight and easy to install.
  • No extra plugins needed.

Cons:

  • Might have issues with lossless audio formats like FLAC.
  • Pay-to-convert WMA to MP3.

:star: App Store Rating: 4.1/5
:moneybag: Price: Free; Pro version with conversion at $19.99

How to Play WMA Files Using Cisdem Video Player:

  1. Download Cisdem Video Player and install it.
  2. Navigate to the WMA file in Finder, right-click, and select Open With > Cisdem Video Player.
  3. Use the controls to play or convert files. Easy peasy! :tv:

3. Vidmore Player

Vidmore Player is totally worth considering. It’s got a lot of cool features and supports many audio files, including Dolby Atmos. :headphones: You’ve got stereo customization, mono options, and quick control buttons for easy navigation.

Pros:

  • Audio customization like stereo reversing.
  • Supports many audio formats.
  • User-friendly layout and controls.
  • Free trial available! :sparkles:

Cons:

  • Costs more than other options, especially with monthly licenses.
  • No EQ functionality.

:star: G2 Rating: 4.5/5
:heavy_dollar_sign: Price: $29.90 per month

How to Listen to WMA on Mac Using Vidmore Player

Step 1: Get Vidmore Player from their official site (they offer a free trial version).
Step 2: Purchase a license and sign in with your account details during installation.
Step 3: Open Vidmore Player, navigate to File > Open File, and select the WMA you want to play.
Step 4: Hit the Play button and enjoy your WMA files.

4. VLC :musical_note:

VLC is pretty much a legend in the media player world, especially because it’s open-source and free.

Okay, so the interface isn’t the slickest or most modern, but who cares when it’s available for free? It’s super reliable for playing WMA files on your Mac, and it also has a browser plugin to play WMA files online. Plus, there’s an awesome community making plugins to extend its features.

Pros :+1:

  • Plugin support for extra features.
  • It’s free, what more can you ask for?
  • Handles a wide range of video and audio formats.
  • Comes with built-in video and audio filters and an EQ.

Cons :confused:

  • Metadata and ID3 tag editing is a pain.
  • Doesn’t get as many updates as the paid software.

:star: App Store Rating: 3.1/5
:heavy_dollar_sign: Price: Free

How to Play WMA Using VLC

Step 1: Download VLC Player for Mac from their site.
Step 2: Open the DMG file and follow the installation steps.
Step 3: Launch VLC Media Player.
Step 4: Go to the Media menu, select Open File, and pick your WMA file. It should start playing automatically after that.

5. 5KPlayer :clapper:

5KPlayer is another solid option for playing WMA files on Mac. Besides WMA playback, it supports AirPlay & DLNA for streaming media and casting to other screens.

It also includes a built-in radio player and a media library to help manage your files. And if you’re into high-quality video, 5KPlayer can handle up to 8K, making it a versatile media player.

Pros :+1:

  • Free to use.
  • Includes media management features to help organize your stuff.
  • Supports DLNA for casting and streaming.

Cons :confused:

  • Not as lightweight as some other players.
  • The layout could use a revamp.

:star: Trustpilot Rating: 2.6/5
:heavy_dollar_sign: Price: Free, Pro subscription at $29.95

How to Play WMA Using 5KPlayer

Step 1: Download 5KPlayer for Mac.
Step 2: Install it by running the DMG file and create a free account during the process.
Step 3: Launch 5KPlayer on your Mac.
Step 4: Click on the Music icon on the homepage. Select or drag your WMA file to play it.

What is a WMA File? :thinking:

WMA files are audio files developed by Windows in the late '90s using a lossy codec. They were created as an alternative to the MP3 format. Compared to MP3s, WMA files can keep more audio quality at lower bitrates, especially below 64 kbps. Handy back in the early 2000s when storage space was tight!

WMA is still a main audio format for Windows. If you’re a Mac user, you need to ensure your media player can handle these Windows-based files.

WMA Converter – How to Convert From WMA To MP3 on Mac :arrows_counterclockwise:

If your Mac can’t play WMA files, you can use a WMA player for Mac or convert the files. Cisdem Video Player even has a built-in converter to switch WMA files to MP3s.

Online converters like Zamzar also come in handy. Just drag your WMA file into the browser and convert it to MP3.

How to Convert WMA Using VLC

Step 1: Open VLC and navigate to File > Convert/Stream.
Step 2: Drag your WMA file into the new window or select it via Open Media.
Step 3: Choose Audio - MP3 as the conversion format.
Step 4: Click Save as File, name your new MP3, and choose where to save it.

Conclusion :tada:

Dealing with annoying file formats on a Mac? Don’t sweat it! Having a reliable music player for Mac that supports various formats like WMA and FLAC is a game-changer. All the options listed here are solid choices, so take your pick and keep those tunes playing!