Head-to-head · Media Player Software
MPlayer vs MediaPortal
MPlayer leads on 0 checks, MediaPortal on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreMPlayer · 8.7/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresMediaPortal · 3 of 4
MPlayer scores higher on our rubric for media player software: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.
MPlayer is the better fit for open-source playback with legacy format breadth. MediaPortal is the better fit for windows home-theater and live-TV setups.
- MPlayer fits best
Open-source playback with legacy format breadth
- MediaPortal fits best
Windows home-theater and live-TV setups
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Side by side
| Feature | MPlayer 8.7/10 Visit ↗ | MediaPortal 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.7 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #5 in Media Player Software | #7 in Media Player Software |
| Best for | Open-source playback with legacy format breadth | Windows home-theater and live-TV setups |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, macOS | Web, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community, Docs | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features MPlayer 1/4 · MediaPortal 3/4 | ||
| Network playback | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Subtitle support | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Hardware acceleration | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4K playback | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Not checked yet | web, windows, ios, android |
| Format support | Not checked yet | MPEG-2, MPEG-1, MOV, H.264, VC-1, DivX, Xvid, AC3, DTS, MP3, AAC, Matroska, DVD, Blu-ray |
| License model | Not checked yet | Free |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | MPlayer is an open-source media player for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, with support for other Unix-like systems. It is suited to people who need broad playback coverage across local files, optical media, television input, and network… Read the review → |
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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
MPlayer — where it wins
- Broad video, audio, codec, and subtitle format support
- Handles optical media, television input, and network streams
- Offers speed control, frame-by-frame playback, and hardware acceleration
Where it doesn't
- Command-line distribution may require more technical setup
- Optional GUI is not enabled by default
- No integrations are provided
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
- MPlayer8.7/10 · Free plan
A codec-rich open-source player for broad format and subtitle coverage.
Visit MPlayerFull verdict → - MediaPortal8.5/10 · Free plan
A Windows-focused media center for playback, live TV, network shares and home theater.
Visit MediaPortalFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update





