A media player is software designed to play various audio and video formats on devices. These players enable users to access, organize, and enjoy multimedia content. Media players work by decoding and rendering different file formats, making them accessible for playback on select devices.
There are 4 major benefits of a Media player :
- Supports a wide range of audio and video formats, ensuring compatibility.
- Offers customizable playback options, allowing users to adjust settings like subtitles, audio tracks, and video quality.
- Enables offline access to downloaded content.
- Includes streaming capabilities, allowing users to cast or share media across different devices in a network.
Based on unique characteristics like format compatibility, streaming support, customizable interface, and offline access, Geekflare has researched and curated a list of the best free media players for Mac users.
- 1. QuickTime – Best for Video Playback Quality
- 2. VLC Media Player – Best for Subtitle Synchronization
- 3. GOM Player – Best for User-friendly Interface
- 4. MPlayerX – Best for Remote Compatibility and Gesture Control
- 5. Elmedia Video Player – Best for Swift Track Switching
- 6. Cisdem Video Player – Best for Quick Loadtimes
- 7. OmniPlayer – Best for Multiple File Formats
- 8. DivX Player – Best for Adjusting B-frames
- 9. 5K Player – Best for DLNA Streaming Capability
- 10. Plex Media Player – Best for Streaming 4K Content
- 11. IINA – Best for Automatic Subtitle Downloading
- 12. Movist – Best for Direct Streaming for Network Servers
- 13. RealPlayer – Best for AI-powered Customizations
- Show moreShow less
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1. QuickTime
QuickTime is a media framework introduced in 1991 by Apple Inc., and supports photos and videos. The free version of QuickTime’s media player allows users to play high-quality films and clips.
Users can divide movies into numerous chunks and work on each one separately. QuickTime allows recording the whole screen or just a section, which helps share or demonstrate screen material. Older media formats supported by QuickTime Player 7 include MIDI files, interactive QuickTime movies, and QTVR.
For macOS Sierra and earlier, QuickTime Player 7 is included to support traditional media processes. However, it is incompatible with macOS versions released after macOS Mojave.
QuickTime Pros
Offers smooth video playback quality.
Can stream live events, making it handy for Safari users who wish to view online content.
Has the capacity to record audio in addition to the video, or to capture a particular screen area.
Supports plugins to extend its capabilities.
QuickTime Cons
Doesn’t support full-screen mode.
Lacks dual recording feature.
Interferes with other software if left running in the background.
QuickTime Pricing
QuickTime is available to use for free.
VLC Media Player is a free platform that supports multiple file formats. It offers top-notch features to consumers, such as videos that can be downloaded from YouTube and converted into different formats.
It supports most streaming protocols, DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and multimedia files. VLC also serves as a high-quality graphic equalizer when equipped with additional audio effects and streaming services. Its features, like podcasts and Internet radio streaming, are comparable to those of QuickTime.
The VLC media player requires Mac OS X 10.7.5 or later, an Apple Silicon chip, or a 64-bit Intel processor.
VLC Media Player Pros
Loaded with premium features.
Multiple audio and visual filters, and a subtitle synchronization system.
Permits streaming from SMB, FTP, SFTP, NFS, UPnP/DLNA media servers, web and Wi-Fi sharing.
Provides full SSA compatibility, multi-track audio, playback speed adjustment, and Chromecast rendering.
VLC Media Player Cons
Queue does not show the next song when using shuffle play.
File names aren’t displayed if the MP3 files have media metadata.
VLC Media Player Pricing
VLC Media Player is available to use for free.
3. GOM Player
GOM Player is a free multimedia player that supports playback of over 100 video and audio formats, including popular formats like AVI, MP4, and MKV. The player can handle files requiring external codecs, guaranteeing a seamless viewing experience without requiring any extra software. Fans of K-POP and K-Dramas can enjoy a unique Korean vocalization service with GOM Player, developed by GOM & Company.
Users can easily sing along by copying and playing the URL of a YouTube music video since the player will automatically support Korean lyrics in either Katakana or Alphabet. With synchronized subtitles, this function further improves the Korean drama viewing experience.
Apart from its distinct functionalities and extensive format compatibility, GOM Player lets users arrange interval iterations in a preferred sequence. Various configurable skins are available for the player, such as a basic skin, a touch-optimized skin, and a simple skin that highlights video playback.
GOM Player Pros
User-friendly interface for beginners.
Allows 360-degree VR video playback functionality, which rotates the video up, down, left, and right.
Has plenty of options for detailed seeding.
GOM Player Cons
Lacks advanced audio settings.
Audio distorts at higher volumes.
GOM Player Pricing
GOM Player is available at $2.99 monthly and also offers a free trial.
4. MPlayerX
MPlayerX allows users to stream content within the platform by integrating with video sources like Vimeo and YouTube. When the file names follow a sequential pattern, the player automatically identifies and plays the next episode in a series, making watching TV shows or series easier for users.
The tool is powered by FFmpeg and MPlayer, powerful engines that enable MPlayerX to handle multiple media formats without needing other plugins or codec packages. This guarantees that viewers experience fluid and clear playback regardless of the file type.
The platform emphasizes user-friendliness with its gesture-based controls, which let users control playback with basic movements like pinching, touching, or swiping. This removes the need to learn keyboard shortcuts or on-screen button interactions.
MPlayerX is compatible with Apple Remote, Remote Buddy, and Sofa Control for remote control features.
MPlayerX Pros
Detects and converts the encoding method of the subtitle file.
Automatically detects the home theater system and outputs the unprocessed DTS/AC3 stream.
Has an attractive and engaging tool set.
Versatile and easy-to-use media player.
MPlayerX Cons
Lags when playing heavy MP4 files.
Has audio sync issues.
MPlayerX Pricing
MPlayerX is a free, open-source media player for macOS.
Elmedia Video Player is a free tool that plays various file formats, including AVI, MP4, FLV, SWF, WMV, MKV, MP3, and M4V. The player ensures smooth and high-quality HD video playback by reducing processor load using native hardware-accelerated decoding.
Users of Elmedia Video Player can watch videos while multitasking thanks to its Picture-in-Picture mode. It allows you to download subtitles from opensubtitles.com and makes real-time brightness, contrast, and saturation changes while the video is playing.
The Elmedia Video Player includes a 10-band equalization with presets and the option to build custom sound profiles. Users can create screenshots or a sequence of photographs from a video with a customizable interval. The player also allows local file streaming, including 4K video streaming for suitable devices, to Chromecast, Apple TVs, Roku devices, and DLNA-capable devices.
For compatibility, the player can transcode files in real-time or stream them in their original formats. Additionally, Elmedia Video Player allows audio streaming from an iPhone to a Mac with more prominent speakers by acting as an audio receiver via AirPlay or mirroring an iPhone screen.
Elmedia Video Player Pros
Has advanced playback controls.
Easy to modify any accessible video codec.
Elmedia Video Player Cons
Adding songs to the playlist requires the user to pause the music, which is unintuitive.
Takes a long time to load all the required screenshots to the player.
Elmedia Video Player Pricing
Elmedia Video Player has Free and PRO versions. The free model offers most of the features, while the PRO version costs $19.99.
6. Cisdem Video Player
Cisdem Video Player addresses compatibility issues by supporting various video and audio formats, such as MP4, H.264/MP4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, AVI, and MKV. With its optimization for 1080P, 4K, 5K, and 8K resolutions of HD and UHD videos, the player guarantees fluid playback devoid of stuttering or latency.
The player produces excellent images and sounds, improving the movie viewing experience on high-end screens by eliminating fuzziness and maintaining sharpness. The platform’s users can play content in order, shuffle, or loop by having the software automatically add imported videos to the playlist. This facilitates the management and arrangement of video playback.
With Cisdem Video Player’s extensive control choices, users have complete control over their viewing experience. These choices include Play/Pause, Step Forward/Backward, Volume changes, Mute, Rotate, Full-Screen, Mini-Screen, and Incognito Mode.
One of Cisdem Video Player’s primary characteristics is its independence from extra media codecs or plugins. This function allows users to enjoy a wide range of media formats without additional setup.
Cisdem Video Player Pros
Uses hardware acceleration technology to decode source media files.
Lightweight, quick to load media files, and uses minimal system resources.
Enables smooth flipping between the underlying media file’s many soundtracks.
Less frequent pop-up ads.
Cisdem Video Player Cons
Limited features in the free version.
Lags in screen mode.
Cisdem Video Player Pricing
Cisdem Video Player has a free version, but the paid version starts at $19.99 (Lifetime).
7. OmniPlayer
OmniPlayer for Mac supports 4K/1080P/720P HD videos and normal or lossless audio with hardware decoding, ensuring smooth playback. The platform features a modern and clean design, providing users with comprehensive tools to control playback, manage playlists, adjust video images, switch audio tracks, customize subtitles, and capture screenshots.
OmniPlayer is compatible with both local files and remote server videos and audio, supporting SAMBA/FTP protocols for seamless streaming. It also lets users play online videos and audio via HTTP/HTTPS protocols.
A standout feature is its ability to stream YouTube and Vimeo videos directly using the webpage URL, bypassing online ads for an uninterrupted viewing experience. The player automatically records the last playback progress, allowing users to resume where they left off. It displays preview images on the progress bar during local video playback, enhancing navigation.
For an immersive viewing experience, OmniPlayer hides controls automatically to provide a pure video view without occlusion. Additionally, users can adjust playback speed from 0.25x to 4x, catering to different viewing preferences.
OmniPlayer Pros
Loads various local subtitle formats in real-time across multiple languages.
Users can instantly adjust the video image aspect ratio and window size.
Produces GIF pictures for up to 60 seconds and exports thumbnails.
OmniPlayer Cons
Lacks the ability to create and SAVE playlists.
Advanced features are hidden behind paywalls.
OmniPlayer Pricing
OmniPlayer has a lifetime VIP subscription available at $9.99.
8. DivX Player
DivX Player is a multimedia platform that supports high-quality video playback up to 4K resolution across various formats, including AVI, DIVX, MKV, and MP4. It also allows users to experience immersive 360° video playback. The software simplifies video creation by enabling drag-and-drop functionality to produce DivX, H.264, and HEVC videos that are compatible with DivX-certified devices.
The player offers easy conversion to MP4 for seamless playback on devices like iPhones. It facilitates media casting, allowing users to stream videos, music, and photos to TVs and other DLNA-compatible devices, such as Chromecast, Apple TV, Xbox, Roku, and Smart TVs.
DivX Player also integrates with cloud storage services, allowing users to download or upload videos directly from Google Drive or Dropbox. It is optimized for HEVC, ensuring high-quality video with smaller file sizes, and automatically selects the ideal audio and video codecs for the best playback experience.
The software includes tools for video conversion, minor edits, and efficient file compression without compromising quality. With DivX Accelerated technology, video processing is offloaded to the CPU on select chipsets, enhancing playback and conversion performance while freeing up resources for other tasks.
DivX Player Pros
Broadcasts and converts videos instantly.
Plenty of customization options.
Lets you adjust B-frames, and modify the Target Quantizer settings.
FF/RW feature to quickly navigate to desired scenes and Chapter points.
DivX Player Cons
Requires decent and modern hardware to function smoothly.
Frequent ads hamper the user experience.
DivX Player Pricing
The DivX player is available for use free of cost.
9. 5K Player
5KPlayer is a versatile media player that supports 4K and 1080p video playback. The platform includes AirPlay support, allowing users to stream content from 5KPlayer to other compatible devices seamlessly. 5KPlayer goes beyond video playback by offering music filters for enhanced audio experiences.
It allows users to download videos from platforms like YouTube and Dailymotion, providing a convenient way to access online content. Another key feature of 5KPlayer is its DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) streaming capability. This function enables streaming multimedia content across different devices within a network, adding to its versatility as a media player.
5KPlayer Pros
DLNA capability allows users to share content wirelessly with friends and family
Has mirroring capabilities and supports 8K video quality.
5KPlayer Cons
No frame-by-frame play.
Has limited customization options for playback.
5K Player Pricing
The 5KPlayer is available for free.
Plex Media Player is easy to use and offers an excellently organized library. It provides streaming services for movie enthusiasts and enables podcast streaming. Additionally, it doesn’t require extra storage responsibilities.
Plex Media Player has a simple and intuitive user control system. You can control the Plex Media Player on your Mac with the Plex App on your phone or tablet. The platform also allows users to save online videos for later watching.
Plex Media Player Pros
Great organizational strength through the content library.
Can stream 4K content.
Plex Media Player Cons
Doesn’t have many customizable functions.
Advanced features are only available in the paid version.
Plex Media Player Pricing
Plex Media Player offers a free version, and the paid version starts from $4.99/month.
11. IINA
IINA adopts the post-Yosemite design language, aligning with the visual aesthetics of the macOS platform. The platform keeps pace with the latest macOS technologies, including Force Touch, Touch Bar, and Picture-in-Picture support.
It integrates seamlessly with macOS Mojave’s dark mode, offering a carefully crafted user interface that includes adjusted colors, icons, and textures for a sleek and unified appearance. IINA supports the native Picture-in-Picture mode, allowing users to watch local or online videos without distraction. This feature enhances multitasking by enabling video playback in a small, floating window.
The application is written in Swift, Apple’s modern programming language, ensuring optimal macOS performance. As an open-source project, IINA is available for free under the GPLv3 license. This open-source nature encourages community contributions and ensures transparency in its development.
IINA Pros
Has YouTube and browser addons for internet streaming.
Plenty of customization settings for both audio and video.
Automatically download subtitles for files.
IINA Cons
Playback image has high contrast and saturation.
Faces difficulty in handling large media files.
IINA Pricing
The IINA video player is available for free.
12. Movist
Movist offers a range of practical and convenient features designed to enhance the viewing experience. The controllers appear only when the mouse pointer approaches, and a transparent title bar ensures minimal distraction. The main menu displays real-time states, and the control panel provides quick access to all necessary functions.
The platform supports hardware-accelerated decoding of the H.265/HEVC codec, enabling comfortable 4K UHD playback. Users can specify default track languages, such as Korean video with English subtitles, or disable subtitles when an English audio track is available. The player also allows customization of video quality, filters, and equalizers, with the option to resume playback from the last point.
Subtitles can be displayed in multiple languages simultaneously, with customizable locations and styles for each. Multiple tracks for video and audio can also be selected. Movist automatically adjusts the letterbox height to align subtitles in line units, with customizable line display settings.
The player supports direct streaming from Network Servers without requiring downloads and handling SMB, SFTP, FTP, and WebDAV protocols. It buffers content automatically, ensuring smooth playback even on unstable networks. Movist also attempts to reproduce HDR colors on non-HDR monitors.
Movist Pros
Configure the digital output, delay, and number of channels for every audio output device.
Identifies and loads the series and subtitle files in the same location, then makes a playlist.
Can automatically change the play or pause speed according to how quickly someone speaks.
Movist Cons
No Airplay support.
Does not receive frequent updates.
Movist Pricing
The paid version of Movist costs $4.99.
13. RealPlayer
RealPlayer provides advanced stream selection capabilities, enabling users to download or stream videos in resolutions up to 8K. Users can select the container, codec, resolution, and frame rate for video files, or choose MP3 or M4A formats for audio. The platform is compatible with a wide range of websites, including YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and thousands of others, allowing users to download or stream content from these sources.
RealPlayer also allows users to personalize their video libraries by creating custom thumbnails and applying AI-powered filters to their videos. This enables users to build a unique and organized collection of multimedia content.
The platform offers seamless video transfer between devices, making it easy to save videos from a phone to a PC or to transfer downloaded videos from a PC to a phone. It provides a customizable viewing experience with Dark, Light, or Automatic themes based on the user’s system settings.
RealPlayer supports casting and streaming from a PC or mobile device, providing a cinematic experience with enhanced audio.
RealPlayer Pros
Excellent browsing and searching capabilities.
Allows users to customize their video libraries.
RealPlayer Cons
Interface faces glitches and does not respond at times.
Has limited format support.
RealPlayer Pricing
RealPlayer offers a free version, and paid version starts at $24.99 (one-time purchase).
The key factors when choosing a media player for Mac are the supported operating system, ease of use, additional features, supported formats, and content library customization.
- Operating System: When choosing a media player, check the supported operating systems. Some third parties provide Windows-only players, and some offer custom OS versions that can function with a Mac.
- Ease of Use: The player should have straightforward controls for both basic and advanced settings, ensuring easy navigation.
- Additional Features: Consider media players with extra features. These can include screenshot capabilities and social media integration.
- Formats: The media player should be able to convert videos into different formats, such as MP3 audio.
- Content Library: Choose a media player that offers multiple options for customizing your media library.