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!
32 Comments
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Bogdan Bele
February 6, 2013 at 8:48 am
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.
George Costanza
February 6, 2013 at 8:57 am
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.
ShockerSH
February 6, 2013 at 10:32 am
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.
Cho CoMo
February 6, 2013 at 11:23 am
Zune does everything we need. Never been a problem.
JamminJellies
February 7, 2013 at 5:55 am
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)
Brian Burgess
February 7, 2013 at 8:43 pm
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”.
Steve Krause
February 8, 2013 at 10:01 am
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?
Mike Rothman
February 13, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Loved the Zune software, much better than iTunes, which I’ve also used. However, Zune is a dead end. Time to move on.
Steve Krause
February 14, 2013 at 1:37 pm
So what is Microsoft using then for the new Windows Phone? Windows Media Player?
Cory
March 30, 2013 at 5:42 pm
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
Rich Miller
February 6, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Winamp – a great MP3 player and CD ripper.
Brian Burgess
February 6, 2013 at 7:07 pm
I have to recommend Foobar2000 myself, or even MusicBee that Austin wrote up today:
https://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!
Bill Schaefer
February 9, 2013 at 6:05 pm
I still use Zune, the software is SO easy and it actually works.
The Zune HD is an awesome player BTW…
Chris Penny
February 10, 2013 at 9:13 am
I love copytrans! Works like you would expect iTunes to work!
Brian Burgess
February 10, 2013 at 9:25 am
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: https://www.groovypost.com/reviews/copytrans-contacts-iphone/
Steve Krause
February 11, 2013 at 6:26 pm
Agreed. Great app. Thnx for the reminder!
Darrien Glasser
February 10, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Media Jukebox 14 when on Windows. I use Tangerine when on Linux distros.
reholmes
February 10, 2013 at 3:10 pm
MediaMonkey–very powerful labeler/organizer. WinAmp for ShoutCast stream ripper, RealPlayer for vid download.
Bob
February 13, 2013 at 9:40 am
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…
Jim
March 5, 2013 at 8:01 am
JRiver Media Center, long available on Windows, now has an alpha version available on Mac.
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=31.0
Bill
March 10, 2013 at 6:52 am
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.
Guilherme
March 26, 2013 at 1:44 pm
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.
Reedster
April 2, 2013 at 7:01 pm
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?
Troy
June 17, 2013 at 10:28 am
What is the point of using “Sharepod” if you have to have iTunes 10 (min) installed to use it???
Jake_White
July 3, 2013 at 6:43 pm
The only alternative that is worth using is PhoneStick – fast, slick and stable. All the other once that I tried are some bloated monsters that do everything except getting your files onto your iDevice… There’s faux websites selling it, the original one is here – http://softorino.com/products/
Guilherme
July 4, 2013 at 4:14 am
Hi for all. Thanks for the answers. After few months i am still using iTunes. The mix off iTunes store, iMatch, sound quality, design and ease of use, all combined, has no competitor yet. I use PCs.
Kevin
July 15, 2013 at 12:48 am
Syncios is my choice.It’s totally free and easy to use. Their support team also did a good job, they took your suggestions seriously. I told them I would like to use Ctrl + A to select all the files when I was using 2.07, now it came true in the version 2.08.
There is also review from PCworld, saying Syncios takes over for iTunes. The link is http://www.pcworld.com/article/2038214/review-syncios-takes-over-for-itunes.html
Syncios does much better than some so-called professional iOS manager, and you don’t even need to pay a Penny…
Mark Ruzicka
August 14, 2013 at 8:28 am
ANYTHING but iTunes…
Peter213
June 4, 2014 at 4:21 am
Best option for me so far…though I think it’s called iStick now. They also have a trial, look them up guys!
Sherri
February 12, 2017 at 2:13 pm
I need some serious help. I have been searching for months now and I am overwhelmed and confused. I hate ITunes. It has messed my library up. I am looking for a program to replace iTunes totally. I want to rip cd’s, sync to my iPhone and iPad. Something that will clean up my files and keep my music on my mac laptop. I am not all that knowledgeable but I am a music fanatic and feel totally lost that I can’t listen to my music. Please get back to me. I have tried reaching out on other sites and have received no answers. I was looking at MediaMonkey til I found out you need to keep ITunes. I don’t want anything to do with ITunes.
Guilherme
February 13, 2017 at 3:16 am
Hi Sherri, same problem for years. Someone will get rich as soon he or she create an iTunes Killer App!!!!!!!