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Head-to-head · Media Player Software

KMPlayer vs SMPlayer

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score KMPlayer #3 in Media Player Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 3-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit KMPlayer
SMPlayer #4 in Media Player Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit SMPlayer

KMPlayer leads on 0 checks, SMPlayer on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreKMPlayer · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly KMPlayer

KMPlayer scores higher on our rubric for media player software: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

On license model, KMPlayer gives you Subscription where SMPlayer offers Free.

KMPlayer is the better fit for users needing broad playback and network features. SMPlayer is the better fit for free open-source desktop playback.

  • KMPlayer fits best

    Users needing broad playback and network features

  • SMPlayer fits best

    Free open-source desktop playback

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Side by side

Feature KMPlayer 9.0/10 Visit ↗ SMPlayer 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #3 in Media Player Software #4 in Media Player Software
Best for Users needing broad playback and network features Free open-source desktop playback
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Free plan · 3-day trial Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 3 days —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email Community, Docs
Integrations 11 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features KMPlayer 4/4 · SMPlayer 4/4
Network playback ✓ ✓
Subtitle support ✓ ✓
Hardware acceleration ✓ ✓
4K playback ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Windows, Linux, macOS
Format support AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, FLV, MPEG, MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, SRT, ASS, SSA, WebVTT AVI, ASF/WMV/WMA, QT/MOV/MP4, RealAudio/RealVideo, Ogg/OGM, Matroska, MPEG-1/2, H.264, MPEG-4, MP3, AAC, AC3, DTS, and more
License model Subscription Free
Our review
Pros
  • Supports 4K, 8K, UHD, and high-frame-rate playback
  • Plays media from network protocols, URLs, cloud storage, and Chromecast
  • Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Built-in codecs support a broad range of audio and video formats
  • Streams network media and supports YouTube and Chromecast playback
  • Remembers playback settings and offers subtitle and speed controls
Cons
  • Android premium features require an in-app subscription
  • The product is proprietary rather than open source
  • Cloud playback is centered on Dropbox and OneDrive
  • Focused on desktop platforms rather than mobile playback
  • Hardware-acceleration information reflects older support terminology
  • Advanced features may require navigating a broad settings set
Our verdict

KMPlayer is a media player from PANDORA.TV for people who want one application for video, audio, subtitles, playlists, and online playback. It supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with formats including AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, FLV,…

Read the review →

SMPlayer is a free, open-source desktop media player and graphical interface for MPlayer and mpv. It supports Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it a fit for users who want one playback tool across common desktop operating systems. Built-in…

Read the review →
  1. KMPlayerMedia Player Software 9.0Free plan · 3-day trial
  2. SMPlayerMedia Player Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • KMPlayer — where it wins

    • Supports 4K, 8K, UHD, and high-frame-rate playback
    • Plays media from network protocols, URLs, cloud storage, and Chromecast
    • Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Android premium features require an in-app subscription
    • The product is proprietary rather than open source
    • Cloud playback is centered on Dropbox and OneDrive

  • SMPlayer — where it wins

    • Built-in codecs support a broad range of audio and video formats
    • Streams network media and supports YouTube and Chromecast playback
    • Remembers playback settings and offers subtitle and speed controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on desktop platforms rather than mobile playback
    • Hardware-acceleration information reflects older support terminology
    • Advanced features may require navigating a broad settings set
  • KMPlayer9.0/10 · Free plan · 3-day trial

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

    Visit KMPlayerFull verdict →
  • SMPlayer8.8/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit SMPlayerFull verdict →

More comparisons

All media player software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update