Spotify Mini

If you don’t have a multimedia keyboard, controlling playback from the Spotify desktop application can prove difficult, as you have to bring up the main UI whenever you want to switch to the next song.

Thankfully, programs like Spotify Mini can come to your aid. A small, open-source application that stays on your desktop, it enables you to manage playback much more easily, while also displaying information about the current track.

First of all, it is worth noting that Spotify needs to be installed and running, as this application cannot function independently. It works together with the desktop client, extracting information about tracks and allowing you to manage playback from the Spotify Mini window.

You can view the current song’s album art, title, album and artist, and it is possible to pause or resume playback, as well as skip to the next or previous track. However, seeking is not supported.

The main window can be moved to any position on your desktop, and you can also resize it freely. An action log can be toggled on or off, and you can set the application to remain on top of all other windows.

However, it has to be said that Spotify Mini isn’t the most stylish Spotify controller out there. Its visual design is very basic, and it is not possible to hide the title bar or customize its appearance in any way.

It has to be said that we did not encounter any functionality issues while testing Spotify Mini, but the simplistic design of the user interface may put off potential users. Nonetheless, this application can prove to be very helpful for those who are looking for an easier way to manage Spotify playback.