8 Best Javascript Audio Player library

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by aryaman@openweaver.com dot icon Updated: May 27, 2023

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JavaScript audio player libraries support many formats, like MP3, WAV, and OGG. This versatility ensures compatibility across various browsers and devices. It allows developers to provide their users with a seamless audio playback experience.  


These libraries offer an array of features for audio playback. The features include playback speed adjustment, looping capabilities, and volume control. These features empower developers to create interactive and customized audio player interfaces.  


Following best practices for playing audio files is important when using this library. They help Understand the code and library configuration and implement error handling to ensure smooth playback. Customization options can enhance and integrate the player's appearance into the design.  

We can use JavaScript audio player libraries in various web development scenarios. We can employ it in creating audio players for websites, allowing users to play and control. Furthermore, we can leverage it to develop more complex audio player applications. It helps with applications like music streaming platforms or interactive web games.  


We recommend selecting audio files to make the most of a JavaScript audio player library. We should choose the optimized ones for playback, balancing size, and audio quality. Additionally, integrating the library can expand its capabilities. It provides a more robust audio player solution.  

When writing about these libraries, we must cover their historical significance. We should cover its ability to play audio files, features, and customization options. We should understand their versatility in scenarios and the benefits of integrating them.  


JavaScript audio player libraries provide seamless audio playback, enabling interactive features. It supports its versatility, browser compatibility, and extensive feature aim to deliver high-quality audio experiences. It helps in enhancing user engagement.  

howler.js:  

  • This library helps in creating interactive audio players in JavaScript.  
  • It supports playing and pausing audio and controlling volume. It supports seeking specific positions and handling audio events.  
  • It provides a robust foundation for building custom audio player interfaces.  

howler.jsby goldfire

JavaScript doticonstar image 21722 doticonVersion:v2.2.3doticon
License: Permissive (MIT)

Javascript audio library for the modern web.

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            howler.jsby goldfire

            JavaScript doticon star image 21722 doticonVersion:v2.2.3doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

            Javascript audio library for the modern web.
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                      plyr:  

                      • This library is a versatile media player that supports audio and video playback.  
                      • It supports play/pause, seeking, volume control, and fullscreen mode. It provides a complete solution for media playback.  
                      • It helps in creating customizable audio players with a sleek and modern interface.  

                      plyrby sampotts

                      JavaScript doticonstar image 23822 doticonVersion:v3.7.8doticon
                      License: Permissive (MIT)

                      A simple HTML5, YouTube and Vimeo player

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                                plyrby sampotts

                                JavaScript doticon star image 23822 doticonVersion:v3.7.8doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                A simple HTML5, YouTube and Vimeo player
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                                          Tone.js:  

                                          • This library focuses on audio synthesis and processing in JavaScript.  
                                          • It helps create dynamic and interactive audio players. It helps make it suitable for music composition, sound design, and game development.  
                                          • It supports various audio effects, MIDI integration, and precise timing control.  

                                          Tone.jsby Tonejs

                                          TypeScript doticonstar image 12527 doticonVersion:14.7.39doticon
                                          License: Permissive (MIT)

                                          A Web Audio framework for making interactive music in the browser.

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                                                    Tone.jsby Tonejs

                                                    TypeScript doticon star image 12527 doticonVersion:14.7.39doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                    A Web Audio framework for making interactive music in the browser.
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                                                              wavesurfer.js:  

                                                              • This library supports audio waveform visualization and playback in JavaScript.  
                                                              • It helps create audio players with waveform displays. It allows visualization and interaction with the audio.  
                                                              • It supports features like zooming, scrolling, and highlighting specific waveform sections. It helps in enhancing the user experience.  

                                                              wavesurfer.jsby wavesurfer-js

                                                              JavaScript doticonstar image 6962 doticonVersion:6.6.3doticon
                                                              License: Permissive (BSD-3-Clause)

                                                              Navigable waveform built on Web Audio and Canvas

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                                                                        wavesurfer.jsby wavesurfer-js

                                                                        JavaScript doticon star image 6962 doticonVersion:6.6.3doticon License: Permissive (BSD-3-Clause)

                                                                        Navigable waveform built on Web Audio and Canvas
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                                                                                  SoundJS:  

                                                                                  • This library is part of the CreateJS suite. It provides a powerful audio playback solution for web applications.  
                                                                                  • It supports audio preloading and playback control. It also supports HTML5 audio elements and Web Audio API integration.  
                                                                                  • It helps create interactive players with audio playback and synchronization across many sounds.

                                                                                  SoundJSby CreateJS

                                                                                  JavaScript doticonstar image 4033 doticonVersion:1.0.0doticon
                                                                                  License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                  A Javascript library for working with Audio. It provides a consistent API for loading and playing audio on different browsers and devices. Currently supports WebAudio, HTML5 Audio, Cordova / PhoneGap, and a Flash fallback.

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                                                                                            SoundJSby CreateJS

                                                                                            JavaScript doticon star image 4033 doticonVersion:1.0.0doticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                            A Javascript library for working with Audio. It provides a consistent API for loading and playing audio on different browsers and devices. Currently supports WebAudio, HTML5 Audio, Cordova / PhoneGap, and a Flash fallback.
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                                                                                                      jPlayer:  

                                                                                                      • This library provides a versatile audio player solution for HTML and JavaScript.  
                                                                                                      • It helps in creating cross-browser-compatible audio players with customizable skins and themes. 
                                                                                                      • It supports various formats, playlist management, and repeat, shuffle, and volume control features. It helps in catering to different audio playback requirements.  

                                                                                                      jPlayerby jplayer

                                                                                                      JavaScript doticonstar image 4601 doticonVersion:2.9.2doticon
                                                                                                      License: Others (Non-SPDX)

                                                                                                      jPlayer : HTML5 Audio & Video for jQuery

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                                                                                                                jPlayerby jplayer

                                                                                                                JavaScript doticon star image 4601 doticonVersion:2.9.2doticon License: Others (Non-SPDX)

                                                                                                                jPlayer : HTML5 Audio & Video for jQuery
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                                                                                                                          react-soundplayer:

                                                                                                                          • This library is specifically designed for building audio players in React applications.  
                                                                                                                          • It supports features like play/pause, volume control, and seeking. It provides a user-friendly interface for audio playback.  
                                                                                                                          • It integrates well with React's component-based architecture. It supports customization through props and callbacks.  

                                                                                                                          react-soundplayerby kosmetism

                                                                                                                          JavaScript doticonstar image 1460 doticonVersion:1.0.0doticon
                                                                                                                          no licences License: No License (null)

                                                                                                                          📻 Create custom web audio players with React

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                                                                                                                                    react-soundplayerby kosmetism

                                                                                                                                    JavaScript doticon star image 1460 doticonVersion:1.0.0doticonno licences License: No License

                                                                                                                                    📻 Create custom web audio players with React
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                                                                                                                                              buzz:  

                                                                                                                                              • This lightweight audio library helps in simple audio playback scenarios.  
                                                                                                                                              • It supports audio player features like play, pause, volume control, and event handling.  
                                                                                                                                              • It is easy to use, making it suitable for audio players without complex customization.  

                                                                                                                                              buzzby jaysalvat

                                                                                                                                              JavaScript doticonstar image 1212 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon
                                                                                                                                              License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                              Buzz is a small but powerful Javascript library that allows you to easily take advantage of the new HTML5 audio element. It tries to degrade silently on non-modern browsers.

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                                                                                                                                                        buzzby jaysalvat

                                                                                                                                                        JavaScript doticon star image 1212 doticonVersion:Currentdoticon License: Permissive (MIT)

                                                                                                                                                        Buzz is a small but powerful Javascript library that allows you to easily take advantage of the new HTML5 audio element. It tries to degrade silently on non-modern browsers.
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                                                                                                                                                                  FAQ 

                                                                                                                                                                  1. What is the most beautiful HTML5 music player?  

                                                                                                                                                                  The beauty of an HTML5 music player is subjective. It can vary based on personal preferences and design choices. The choice depends on the UI design, animations, color schemes, and aesthetics. Many visually appealing HTML5 music player implementations are available.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  2. How does JavaScript Audio Player work in modern browsers?  

                                                                                                                                                                  JavaScript Audio Player leverages the capabilities through the Web Audio API & HTML5 element. In modern browsers, these APIs provide a robust foundation for audio playback. It allows developers to control playback and adjust the volume. It helps handle events and apply audio effects and filters.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  3. What are the features of a custom audio player library?  

                                                                                                                                                                  Custom audio player libraries offer various features to enhance the audio playback experience. These features include play/pause, next/previous track navigation, and volume control. It includes seeking within the audio, looping, and playlist management. It includes visualization effects, equalizer settings, and integration with other media platforms.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  4. How lightweight is the JavaScript library for creating an HTML5 audio/video player?  

                                                                                                                                                                  JavaScript libraries for creating HTML5 audio/video players prioritize lightweight implementations. They design these libraries to minimize file size and external dependencies. It helps ensure optimal performance and fast loading times. It results in efficient and streamlined code that does not add unnecessary bloat to the web page.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  5. Are specific playback controls necessary to create an HTML5 video player?  

                                                                                                                                                                  HTML5 video players need specific playback controls to provide a seamless user experience. Common controls include play or pause buttons, volume controls, and progress bars. It also includes fullscreen mode and options for adjusting playback speed. We can customize the controls and their appearance based on the needs and design.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                  6. Can modern browsers handle a play button that triggers audio content on requests?  

                                                                                                                                                                  Modern browsers can handle a play button that triggers audio content on requests. JavaScript code can initiate the playback when the user interacts with a play button. We can do so by playing the <audio> element or creating and playing audio using the Web Audio API. Modern browsers support such interactions, ensuring a smooth and responsive audio playback experience.