auxaux vs. Xbox Game Bar's Spotify widget
Xbox Game Bar's Spotify widget is a small Spotify remote built into Windows: press Win+G, pin it, and it stays over your game. aux is a full music overlay for Mac and Windows that stays on screen by itself, shrinks to mini mode mid-match, works with Apple Music too, and adds synced lyrics, listening along with friends and visualizers. If you're on Windows with Spotify and only want play, pause and skip, Game Bar is enough. For anything more, or on a Mac, use aux.
| aux | Game Bar Spotify widget | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Mac and Windows | Windows 10 and 11 |
| Music apps | Spotify, Apple Music (SoundCloud on Mac) | Spotify |
| Setup | Install, press play | Built in; link to the Spotify app, pin the widget |
| Shows the song while you play | Always, in a corner you choose | When pinned |
| Mid-match | Mini mode by itself, click-through | Stays as it is |
| Synced lyrics | Yes | No |
| Listen along with friends | Yes, Mac and PC | No |
| Visualizers | Eight, plus rave mode | No |
| Per-app volume mixer | In the Hub | Game Bar's Audio widget |
| Controller | Volume, skip, touchpad as album | Xbox button opens Game Bar |
| Price | Free; optional $2.99 worlds | Free |
Where Game Bar is better
- It's already there. Nothing to download on Windows 10 or 11.
- It's part of a bigger toolbar with capture, performance stats and Xbox chat, if you use those.
Where aux is better
- It's on a Mac. Game Bar isn't.
- It doesn't need opening. The song is in view the whole time; Game Bar's widget only stays if you pin it.
- Search over the game. The Hub finds songs, albums, artists and your playlists and plays them without Spotify coming to the front.
- It gets out of the way. When a fullscreen game is in front, aux turns into a slim pill and lets your clicks through. Rest the pointer on it and the controls appear.
- Apple Music works too.
- Lyrics and friends: synced lyrics on the cover or in the Hub, and listening along in sync with friends on Mac or PC.
Fullscreen
Both are drawn on top of the game rather than inside it, and both have the same weak spot: games in exclusive fullscreen can hide them. The fix is the same for both: switch the game to borderless fullscreen. Step by step.
Can I use both?
Yes. They don't conflict: both just control the Spotify app. Many people keep Game Bar for clips and use aux for the music.
Questions
Is there an alternative to the Xbox Game Bar Spotify widget?
Yes: aux, a free music overlay for Windows and Mac that stays on screen by itself and works with Apple Music too.
Why does my Game Bar Spotify widget not work?
Common causes: the Spotify desktop app isn't running, the widget isn't linked, or the game uses exclusive fullscreen. aux doesn't need linking; it follows the Spotify app through Windows' media controls.
Does Game Bar work on Mac?
No, it's part of Windows. On a Mac, aux fills that gap. aux for Mac.
Your next match needs a soundtrack.
aux is free for Mac during the beta, with Windows in testing. Leave your email and we'll tell you the moment it opens.