MediaPortal vs 5KPlayer

MediaPortal8.5Visit 55KPlayer8.4Visit

Higher score MediaPortal #7 in Media Player Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit MediaPortal

vs

5 5KPlayer #8 in Media Player Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit 5KPlayer

• MediaPortal fits best

  Windows home-theater and live-TV setups

• 5KPlayer fits best

  Free desktop 4K/8K playback

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Side by side

Feature	MediaPortal 8.5/10 Visit ↗	55KPlayer 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	8.4
Ranking	#7 in Media Player Software	#8 in Media Player Software
Best for	Windows home-theater and live-TV setups	Free desktop 4K/8K playback
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features MediaPortal 3/4 · 5KPlayer 4/4
Network playback	✓	✓
Subtitle support	✓	✓
Hardware acceleration	✓	✓
4K playback	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	web, windows, ios, android	Windows, macOS
Format support	MPEG-2, MPEG-1, MOV, H.264, VC-1, DivX, Xvid, AC3, DTS, MP3, AAC, Matroska, DVD, Blu-ray	MP4, MKV, AV1, MOV, WMV, FLV, AVI, MPEG, MTS, M2TS, VOB, WebM, MP3, AAC, FLAC, APE
License model	Free	Free
Our review
Pros	Plays DVDs, Blu-ray discs, subtitles and many common media formats Combines live TV, DVR scheduling, radio, music and network playback Supports plugins, skins, metadata and remote access through web, Android and iOS	Plays 4K, 8K, HDR, HEVC and AV1 media Combines local playback with AirPlay and DLNA streaming Includes subtitles, playlists, downloads and hardware acceleration
Cons	The main desktop player is documented for Windows Hardware acceleration requires configuration through LAV Video Remote web, Android and iOS access is separate from the desktop player	Available only for Windows and macOS desktops Feature breadth may exceed the needs of basic playback users Support is provided through email and documentation
Our verdict	MediaPortal is free, open-source media center software for Windows PCs and home-theater setups. It combines video playback with DVD and Blu-ray menus, subtitle support, movie metadata, music, FM and web radio, live TV viewing, scheduling… Read the review →	5KPlayer is free desktop media player software for Windows and macOS. It is designed for individual users and small teams that want one application for video, music, DVDs, IPTV and internet radio. Playback covers formats including MP4,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• MediaPortal — where it wins

  • Plays DVDs, Blu-ray discs, subtitles and many common media formats
  • Combines live TV, DVR scheduling, radio, music and network playback
  • Supports plugins, skins, metadata and remote access through web, Android and iOS

  Where it doesn't

  • The main desktop player is documented for Windows
  • Hardware acceleration requires configuration through LAV Video
  • Remote web, Android and iOS access is separate from the desktop player

• 5KPlayer — where it wins

  • Plays 4K, 8K, HDR, HEVC and AV1 media
  • Combines local playback with AirPlay and DLNA streaming
  • Includes subtitles, playlists, downloads and hardware acceleration

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for Windows and macOS desktops
  • Feature breadth may exceed the needs of basic playback users
  • Support is provided through email and documentation

• MediaPortal8.5/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit MediaPortalFull verdict →
• 55KPlayer8.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit 5KPlayerFull verdict →