Last week we asked you what the worst software in the world was. There were many contenders, but iTunes took the lead and received more complaints than any other program, operating system, or app. As promised, we’re naming iTunes the worst software of 2012.
In the past we’ve covered a few alternatives such as SharePod and Foobar2000. But, now that we know that everyone despises iTunes, we’d like to hear what our groovy readers use instead.
Do you have a favorite program or app for managing your iOS devices? Do you use several?
Let us know in the comments section below!
Since I only use an iPod Classic, SharePod. Does exactly what I need it to do – allows me to put music on and off the device without hassles.
I like Foobar2000, Windows Media Player, and Zune but MediaMonkey is the only one I’ve been able to sync with my iPhone and load songs onto. I hate MediaMonkey, but it is better than iTunes by a long shot.
Unfortunately… I only use iTunes so i can’t contribute to the Readers Choice this week….
It sucks so I would love to have something else to use so looking forward to what the HIVE comes up with.
Zune does everything we need. Never been a problem.
seconded for Zune. I think it is really understimated, Microsoft actually made something great there but they don’t seem to notice or care (typical Microsoft)
Actually, I used the Zune software when I bought a Zune HD — which btw, was an awesome portable music player that also got no love. It never received quality app development.
But yeah the Zune desktop software was really nice and easy to use, compared to iTunes.
That is the problem with Microsoft so many times, they make something that’s actually nice and they give up on it. Hopefully the new Xbox Music and Video will get finished. Right now it really feels “beta”.
Well… I have nothing against Microsoft software however I’ve honestly never used Zune before…
So it will keep an ipod/iphone in sync for music etc? Manage it like iTunes?
Loved the Zune software, much better than iTunes, which I’ve also used. However, Zune is a dead end. Time to move on.
So what is Microsoft using then for the new Windows Phone? Windows Media Player?
Zune is still around, it just exists as a service, and it has been renamed to Xbox music. I agree, I wish MS didn’t give up on it, I loved the Zune. I have a nano now, and my first thought was “itunes can’t really be that bad”. I was right, its worse. Its absoloutly terrible. Holds your hand way too much, gives virtually no control to the user, and its bloated, and hard to learn. It took me a half hour just to figure out how to put music on my ipod when I got it, the Zune software was sooooo much better
Winamp – a great MP3 player and CD ripper.
I have to recommend Foobar2000 myself, or even MusicBee that Austin wrote up today:
http://www.groovypost.com/reviews/musicbee-free-music-player-manager-windows/
However, nowadays I just kick the Streaming services like MOG. Adding songs on an Android device is easy enough when no WiFi or Cell connection available.
iTunes tries to do way too much. I am glad Apple moved Podcasts, iTunes U and I think one other service integrated in iTunes to separate apps. But in the end, there are so many other alternatives that are faster than iTunes. And iTunes 11 — for Windows anyway — just added more crap and is just as slow and bloated IMO. I have been done with iTunes on my PC since 2009!
I still use Zune, the software is SO easy and it actually works.
The Zune HD is an awesome player BTW…
I love copytrans! Works like you would expect iTunes to work!
Great one! Yeah, CopyTrans does a lot of cool stuff. Some of the programs you need to pay for, but there’s plenty of free utilities too. Here’s one we’ve written up for managing contacts on your iDevice: http://www.groovypost.com/reviews/copytrans-contacts-iphone/
Agreed. Great app. Thnx for the reminder!
Media Jukebox 14 when on Windows. I use Tangerine when on Linux distros.
MediaMonkey–very powerful labeler/organizer. WinAmp for ShoutCast stream ripper, RealPlayer for vid download.
I love Zune and have used it on my computer since it came out. Have had several Zune players and have had only good experience with each. Now, if I could just avoid getting mugged, or losing them…
JRiver Media Center, long available on Windows, now has an alpha version available on Mac.
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=31.0
I have used itunes for years. I have digitized all my music, going back to 45′s I bought in the 50′s, and now have close to 15,000 songs in my library. Not only has itunes gotten bloated, but I just bought a new 16GB NANO and it is very unreliable and extremely aggravating. Unfortunately I am mostly Apple based. If anyone knows of a way to migrate my music library to another application on the Apple platform, I would be very interested.
Well, Hi for all. I use iTunes for about 1 year because (1) it sounds better than Windows Media Player (WMP is terrible); (2) its huge database music (iStore) and iMatch. I agree that iTunes it is terrible to use on a day by day basis. But it sounds great. I ask again, “What App can do the things I said about iTunes”? I would like to know. Thanks, Regards.
I despise Itunes, but since I use an Iphone, Ipad and an multiple Apple TV’s I don’t seem to have much choice.
One thing that I have noticed is that when an Itunes alternative is discussed, it is always in the context of music. Is there an Itunes alternative that manages movies and TV shows?
I have no music in Itunes, and have personally never seen a point to it. However I have 1,000′s of movies, tv shows and home videos that I need managed.
Any suggestions that would work with my devices?
Hi Steph! Thanks for the reply, I never tried that, I will! Regards!