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The Best Media Player Software in 2026

We researched media player software using official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Products are ranked on their core playback job, value for money and verified features, helping buyers compare tools for local and network video and audio playback.

Our top picks

  1. Top ranked

    9.4/10

    A broad, capable free player for local, network, and streamed media across major platforms.

    Free plan

  2. Runner-up

    mpv#2 of 75
    9.1/10

    A flexible, scriptable player for users who prefer control over convenience.

    Free plan

  3. Top-ranked free plan

    KMPlayer#3 of 75
    9.0/10

    A broad media player with strong format, network, cloud, and casting support.

    Free plan · 3-day trial

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

The full ranking 75 tools, best first · page 1 of 2

50 tools
  1. Best forAnyone wanting a capable free all-platform player

    A broad, capable free player for local, network, and streamed media across major platforms.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    9.4/10★★★★★
    Visit VideoLAN
  2. mpv

    Best forPower users who value scripting and control

    A flexible, scriptable player for users who prefer control over convenience.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    9.1/10★★★★★
    Visit mpv
  3. KMPlayer

    Best forUsers needing broad playback and network features

    A broad media player with strong format, network, cloud, and casting support.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    9.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit KMPlayer
  4. SMPlayer

    Best forFree open-source desktop playback

    A capable free desktop player for broad-format playback, streaming, subtitles, and YouTube.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    8.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit SMPlayer
  5. MPlayer

    Best forOpen-source playback with legacy format breadth

    A codec-rich open-source player for broad format and subtitle coverage.

    • Hardware acceleration
    8.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit MPlayer
  6. Infuse

    Best forApple users with media servers and cloud libraries

    A feature-rich Apple media player for local, networked, server, and cloud libraries.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan · 7-day trial Our Infuse verdict → Visit Infuse
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Infuse
  7. Best forWindows home-theater and live-TV setups

    A Windows-focused media center for playback, live TV, network shares and home theater.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    8.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit MediaPortal
  8. 5KPlayer

    Best forFree desktop 4K/8K playback

    A free Windows and macOS player with wide format support and network streaming.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit 5KPlayer
  9. Best forFree desktop 4K playback with casting

    A free Windows and macOS player for 4K video, subtitles, playlists, and casting.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    8.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit DivX
  10. Best forWindows users wanting advanced playback controls

    A feature-rich Windows player for users who want control across local and streaming media.

    • Hardware acceleration
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit Zoom Player
  11. Best forAudio-focused users needing deep library control

    A free, highly configurable music player with deep library and network controls.

    • Network playback
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit foobar2000
  12. Best forUsers wanting video playback plus AI subtitles

    A versatile free player for broad format support, network playback, and AI subtitles.

    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit GOM Player
  13. OSMC

    Best forRaspberry Pi and dedicated media-center users

    A focused, free media center for Raspberry Pi, Vero, and first-generation Apple TV.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan Our OSMC verdict → Visit OSMC
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit OSMC
  14. BS.Player

    Best forWindows and Android users needing subtitles

    A capable subtitle-focused player with free Windows playback and paid PRO upgrades.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    7.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit BS.Player
  15. Haruna

    Best forLinux users wanting a customizable mpv frontend

    A customizable, free mpv frontend for Linux and Windows desktops.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit Haruna
  16. Best forMobile users with varied network media sources

    A format-rich mobile player for varied files, network sources, and streaming libraries.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    7.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit PlayerXtreme
  17. PotPlayer

    Best forWindows users needing advanced subtitle controls

    A capable free Windows player for viewers who need detailed subtitle controls.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    7.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit PotPlayer
  18. Best forMedia downloading and conversion across devices

    A broad media toolkit for downloading, converting, organizing, and casting content.

    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    7.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit RealPlayer
  19. MPC-BE

    Best forWindows users wanting open-source disc playback

    A free Windows player for local media, discs, network streams, URLs, and subtitles.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    7.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit MPC-BE
  20. QMPlay2

    Best forLinux and desktop users wanting codec breadth

    A codec-oriented desktop player with subtitles, YouTube playback, and hardware decoding.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    7.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit QMPlay2
  21. Best forSelf-hosted network music playback

    A capable self-hosted music daemon for network playback, remote control and high-resolution audio.

    • Network playback
    7.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit MPD
  22. Best forWindows users wanting built-in library features

    A free Windows media player with playback, libraries, playlists, CDs, and sharing.

    • Network playback
    7.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit Microsoft
  23. AIMP

    Best forFree music playback with library and DSP tools

    A capable free audio player for broad-format playback and music management.

    • Network playback
    Free plan Our AIMP verdict → Visit AIMP
    6.8/10★★★☆☆
    Visit AIMP
  24. Emby

    Best forUsers managing a personal streaming library

    A broad personal media server with free access and optional Premiere features.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan Our Emby verdict → Visit Emby
    6.7/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Emby
  25. nPlayer

    Best forMobile users accessing many network and cloud sources

    A paid player for broad mobile, macOS, network, cloud and casting playback.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    6.6/10★★★☆☆
    Visit nPlayer
  26. Best forListeners focused on high-quality music playback

    A feature-rich audio player for listeners who prioritize lossless playback.

    • Network playback
    6.5/10★★★☆☆
    Visit VOX
  27. Volumio

    Best forAudiophile households and multiroom playback

    A focused high-resolution audio player for local, networked, and multiroom listening.

    • Network playback
    Free plan · 14-day trial Our Volumio verdict → Visit Volumio
    6.4/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Volumio
  28. NewPipe

    Best forAndroid users streaming and downloading online video

    A capable free Android media app for streaming, downloads, and background audio.

    • 4K playback
    • Subtitle support
    6.3/10★★★☆☆
    Visit NewPipe
  29. Celluloid

    Best forLinux users wanting a lightweight mpv frontend

    A focused, configurable mpv frontend for Linux and Windows desktops.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    6.2/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Celluloid
  30. Audacious

    Best forOpen-source desktop music playback

    A free, flexible desktop player for local music, streams, playlists, and audio effects.

    • Network playback
    6.0/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Audacious
  31. Best forWindows users wanting dual-subtitle playback

    A free Windows player with dual subtitles, 4K playback and portable builds.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    5.9/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Light Alloy
  32. Best forMac users wanting HDR and subtitle controls

    A focused Mac player for 4K, HDR, network media, and detailed subtitle control.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    5.8/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Movist
  33. jetAudio

    Best forWindows and Android media playback

    A broad Windows and Android player for playback, conversion, streaming and media management.

    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    5.7/10★★★☆☆
    Visit jetAudio
  34. Showboard

    Best forMac listeners organizing and playing live concert recordings

    A free Mac player that organizes live recordings and searches local files and music services.

    • Network playback
    5.6/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Showboard
  35. Best forAndroid users managing local music and podcasts

    A focused Android player for local audio, podcasts, casting, and playlist sync.

    • Network playback
    5.5/10★★★☆☆
    Visit doubleTwist
  36. Exaile

    Best forOpen-source desktop music-library users

    A free desktop music library with smart playlists, tagging, radio, podcasts, and plugins.

    • Network playback
    5.4/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Exaile
  37. Best forSelf-hosted web jukebox operators

    A free, self-hosted web jukebox for technical users managing personal media libraries.

    • Network playback
    5.3/10★★★☆☆
    Visit netjukebox
  38. Best forMac users wanting a simple player and editor

    A capable free Mac player for everyday media tasks, with narrower format and platform coverage.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    5.2/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Apple
  39. Mopidy

    Best forDevelopers building self-hosted music systems

    A programmable audio server for developers who want self-hosted playback and extensions.

    • Network playback
    5.1/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Mopidy
  40. PLAYit

    Best forAndroid users playing and managing local media

    A free media player with local file management, subtitle search, and playback extras.

    • 4K playback
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    5.0/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit PLAYit
  41. Best forMac users focused on casting and subtitles

    A capable Mac player with strong subtitle tools and casting, but no Windows or Linux version.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    4.9/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit Elmedia Player
  42. Best forAudiophiles needing high-resolution processing

    A focused choice for high-resolution playback, processing and local library management.

    • Network playback
    4.8/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit Audirvāna
  43. Best forAudiophiles wanting advanced mobile processing

    A focused music player for high-resolution audio, advanced processing, and network playback.

    • Network playback
    4.7/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit site
  44. IINA

    Best forMac users wanting a modern open-source player

    A focused Mac player with strong subtitle, playlist, streaming, and customization features.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    Free plan Our IINA verdict → Visit IINA
    4.6/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit IINA
  45. GeeXboX

    Best forBootable open-source media-center systems

    A format-rich bootable media center for dedicated playback setups.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    4.5/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit GeeXboX
  46. Syncplay

    Best forGroups watching local media in sync

    A free, open-source companion for watching local media in sync across supported players.

    • Network playback
    4.4/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit Syncplay
  47. Swinsian

    Best forMac users managing local music libraries

    A focused macOS library manager for local music, with broad format and tagging support.

    • Network playback
    4.3/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit Swinsian
  48. Best forUsers wanting music playback with visualizers

    Avee combines music playback, radio, visualizers, and music-video creation.

    • 4K playback
    • Network playback
    4.2/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit site
  49. Winyl

    Best forWindows users organizing a large music collection

    A free Windows music library with broad audio format support and smart playlists.

    Free plan Our Winyl verdict → Visit Winyl
    4.1/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit Winyl
  50. Best forHome-theater users needing broad media management

    A broad home-theater media center with extensive library and playback tools.

    • Network playback
    4.0/10★★☆☆☆
    Visit JRiver

No tools match those filters.

Compare at a glance

#ToolFree planPaid fromSupported platformsNetwork playbackSubtitle supportFormat supportScore
1VLC media playerYesFreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidYesYesMPEG-1/2, MPEG-4, H.264, DivX, XviD, WMV, MKV, MP4, MOV, AVI, WebM, MP3, AAC, FLAC, DVD, Audio CD, VCD9.4
2mpvYesFreeWindows, macOS, Linux, AndroidYesYesMatroska (MKV), MP49.1
3KMPlayerYesWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidYesYesAVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, FLV, MPEG, MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, SRT, ASS, SSA, WebVTT9.0
4SMPlayerYesFreeWindows, Linux, macOSYesYesAVI, ASF/WMV/WMA, QT/MOV/MP4, RealAudio/RealVideo, Ogg/OGM, Matroska, MPEG-1/2, H.264, MPEG-4, MP3, AAC, AC3, DTS, and more8.8
5MPlayerYesFree8.7
6InfuseYes$16.99/yriOS, macOS, Apple TV, visionOSYesYes3GP, AVI, AV1, ASF, BDMV, DIVX, DVDMEDIA, DVR-MS, FLV, H.264, H.265, H.266, ISO/IMG, M4V, MKV, MOV, MP4, MPEG, MTS/M2TS, MXF, OGM, OGV, RMVB, STRM, STRMLNK, TS, VC1, VIDEO_TS, VOB, VP9, WEBM, WMV, WTV; AAC, AC3, DOLBY, DTS, E-AC3, FLAC, MP3, OGG, PCM, TTA, WMA8.6
7MediaPortalYesFreeweb, windows, ios, androidYesYesMPEG-2, MPEG-1, MOV, H.264, VC-1, DivX, Xvid, AC3, DTS, MP3, AAC, Matroska, DVD, Blu-ray8.5
85KPlayerYesFreeWindows, macOSYesYesMP4, MKV, AV1, MOV, WMV, FLV, AVI, MPEG, MTS, M2TS, VOB, WebM, MP3, AAC, FLAC, APE8.4
9DivX PlayerYeswindows, macosYesYesAVI, DIVX, MKV, MP4, HEVC8.3
10Zoom PlayerNo$23.95 one-time8.2
11foobar2000YesFreeWindows, macOS, Android, iOS; Linux via WineYesMP3, MP2, MP1, M4A/AAC/Apple Lossless, Ogg Vorbis, Opus, Musepack, Speex, AC3, DTS, WMA, FLAC/Ogg FLAC, WavPack, Monkey's Audio, TAK, WAV, Wave64, RF64, AIFF, AU/SND, Matroska/WebM, MPEG Transport Stream, Audio CD, HLS radio8.1
12GOM PlayerYes$22 one-timeWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidYesYesAVI, OGM, MKV, MP4, TS, WMV, MOV, MPG, VOB, FLV, MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WAV, WMA8.0
13OSMCYesFreeRaspberry Pi, Vero, Apple TVYesYesMPEG-2, VC-1, H.264, H.265/HEVC, AV1, MKV, MP4, MOV, WMV, TS, M2TS, AAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, Opus, WAV, WMA7.9
14BS.PlayerYes€29.90 one-timeWindows, AndroidYesYesWebM, Xvid, AVI, MPG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, 3ivx, streaming video, AVCHD, MOV, RM, OGM, MKV, ASF, WMV, DV, M1V, M2V, MP4, MPV, SWF, VOB, WAV, MPA, MP1, MP2, MP3, Ogg, AAC, AIF, RAM, WMA, FLV7.8
15HarunaYesFreeLinux, WindowsYesYes7.7
16PlayerXtremeYesiOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Apple WatchYesYesMP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, m3u8, WebM, 3gp, FLV, MPG, TS, VOB, MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV, WMA, AIFF7.6
17PotPlayerYesFreeWindowsYesSMI, SRT, Vobsub, Blu-ray subtitles, ASS/SSA, SMI Ruby tags7.5
18RealPlayerYesWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidYesYesFLV, MOV, MPEG-4, H.264, MP4, AVI, RealVideo, WMV, 3GP, MPEG-2, MKV, WebM, VOB, MP3, M4A, AAC, RealAudio, WMA, WAV, IVR7.4
19MPC-BEYesFreeWindowsYesYesAVI, MKV, MPEG-TS, MPEG-PS, MP4, FLV, WMV, RF64, WavPack, Wave64, AV1, HEVC, VVC7.3
20QMPlay2YesFreeWindows, Linux, macOSYesYesFFmpeg-supported formats and codecs; Audio CD; raw files; chiptunes7.2
21Music Player DaemonYesFreeLinux, Windows, macOS, AndroidYesWAV, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, DSDIFF, DSF, MP3, FFmpeg-supported codecs7.1
22Windows Media PlayerYesFreeWindowsYesMP3, MP2, AAC, M4A, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, WMA, 3GP, 3G2, AMR, MPEG-4/H.264, H.263, VC-1, WMV, DV, VP8, Motion JPEG, ASF7.0
23AIMPYesFreeWindows, Linux, AndroidYesNoAPE, MP3, WAV, OGG, MPGA, UMX, MOD, MO3, WV, IT, S3M, MTM, XM, FLAC, MP4, M4A, M4B, MPC, AIFF, AAC, OPUS, DSF, DFF, TTA, WEBM, CDA, AC3, DTS, MIDI, RMI, SPX, TAK, WMA, MKA, MPEG-DASH6.8
24EmbyYesweb, windows, macos, linux, ios, android, self_hostedYesYesH.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP9, MKV, MP4, MOV, AAC, MP3, WMA, FLAC, PCM, AC3/EAC3, DTS, ALAC6.7
25nPlayerNoiOS, Android, macOSYesYesMP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, ASF, FLV, OGV, RMVB, TP, MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, APE6.6
26VOX Music PlayerYesWindows, macOS, iOSYesAIF, AIFF, ASF, DSD, PCM, WAV, AAC, M4A, M4B, MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4, MP+, MPC, MPP, OGA, OGG, OPUS, RA, RM, WMA, ALAC, APE, DFF, DSF, FLAC, TTA, WMA Lossless, WV6.5
27VolumioYesLinux, Raspberry Pi, PC, web browser, iOS, AndroidYesMP3, MP2, OGG, FLAC, OPUS, WAV, AIFF, DSD, AAC, MPC, WV, MP4, MKV, MOV, MPEG, OGV, WebM, WMA, WMV6.4
28NewPipeYesFreeAndroidYesMPEG-4, 3GPP, WebM, M4A, MP3, MP2, Opus, Ogg, AIFF, WAV, FLAC, ALAC6.3
29CelluloidYesFreeLinux, WindowsYesYes6.2
30AudaciousYesFreeLinux, BSD derivatives, macOS, WindowsYesMP3, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, Opus, AAC, M4A, WAV, WavPack, Ad-lib chiptunes, Audio CD, MIDI, Nintendo DS 2SF, PlayStation Audio PSF, MOD, XM, FFmpeg-supported formats6.0
31Light AlloyYesFreewindowsYesYesMP3, AAC, OGG, OGG-FLAC, OGG-OPUS, WMA, H.264, HEVC/H.265, VP9, MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, FLV, MPEG, Opus, Speex, TAK5.9
32Movist Pro$17.99 one-timemacOSYesYesH.265/HEVC, AV1, MXF, TrueHD, Dolby Vision, JPEG5.8
33jetAudioYesWindows, AndroidYesYesWAV, MP1, MP2, MP3, WMA, OGG, AIF, AIFF, AU, SND, RA, RAM, RM, MIDI, MOD, APE, MPC, FLAC, SPX, TTA, WV, AVI, MPG, MPEG, ASF, WMV, DIVX, OGM, MKV, MP4, FLV, QT, MOV5.7
34ShowboardYesFreemacOSYesFLAC, DSD, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, WavPack, MP3, AAC, OGG5.6
35doubleTwistYesandroid, windows, macosYesMP3, AAC/M4A, ALAC/M4A, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, Ogg Opus, WMA, FLAC, DTS in WAV/FLAC, DSD5.5
36ExaileYesFreewindows, macos, linuxYes5.4
37netjukeboxYesFreeweb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOSYesMP3, FLAC5.3
38QuickTime PlayerYesFreemacOSYesYesMOV, H.264, HEVC, MPEG-4 audio, AAC5.2
39MopidyYesFreeLinux, macOS, Raspberry PiYesMP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC5.1
40PLAYitYesAndroid, iOS, WindowsYesYesWAV, MP3, AAC, 4K, 1080p, MKV, FLV, 3GP, M4V, TS, MPG, M4A5.0
41Elmedia PlayerYes$19.99 one-timemacOSYesYes3GP, AVI, MP4, MPEG, VOB, FLV, MOV, MKV, M4V, MPG, WMV, MP3, M4A, WMA, AAC, AC3, FLAC, OGG, WAV, WebM, SWF, DivX4.9
42AudirvānaNo$79.99/yrwindows, macos, linux, ios, androidYesFLAC, Ogg FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, APE, WavPack, AAC, MP3, DSF, DFF, ISO, CUE, MQA4.8
43Neutron Music PlayerNowindows, ios, androidYesMP3, FLAC, OGG, WMA, AAC, M4A, MP4, ALAC, APE, WV, MPC, WAV, AIFF, OPUS, DSD, MOD, XM, S3M, SPEEX4.7
44IINAYesFreemacOS, Chrome extensionYesYes4.6
45GeeXboXYesFreelinux, windows, macosYesYesMPEG-1/2, MPEG-4, DivX, XviD, H.264, RealMedia, Windows Media, OggMedia, Matroska, MP3, Ogg/Vorbis, WAV, AC3, DTS, MusePack, FLAC4.5
46SyncplayYesFreeWindows, Linux, *BSD, macOSYes4.4
47SwinsianNomacosYesMP3, AAC, ALAC, WAV, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, AIFF, Opus, AC3, APE, WavPack, MusePack, DSF, WMA4.3
48Avee Music PlayerYesWindows, AndroidYesMP4, MP3, WAV4.2
49WinylYesFreeWindowsMP3, OGG, WMA, M4A, MPC, APE, FLAC4.1
50JRiver Media CenterNo$79.98 one-timeWindows, macOS, LinuxYesWAV, AIFF, FLAC, APE, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, WavPack, DVD, Blu-ray4.0

Head-to-head All 25 comparisons →

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How we rank media player software

Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update