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Head-to-head · Media Player Software

mpv vs MediaPortal

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score mpv #2 in Media Player Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit mpv
MediaPortal #7 in Media Player Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit MediaPortal

mpv leads on 0 checks, MediaPortal 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 scorempv · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresmpv · 4 of 4

mpv scores higher on our rubric for media player software: 9.1 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

mpv is the better fit for power users who value scripting and control. MediaPortal is the better fit for windows home-theater and live-TV setups.

  • mpv fits best

    Power users who value scripting and control

  • MediaPortal fits best

    Windows home-theater and live-TV setups

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.

Side by side

Feature mpv 9.1/10 Visit ↗ MediaPortal 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.5
Ranking #2 in Media Player Software #7 in Media Player Software
Best for Power users who value scripting and control Windows home-theater and live-TV setups
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Web, Windows, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features mpv 4/4 · MediaPortal 3/4
Network playback ✓ ✓
Subtitle support ✓ ✓
Hardware acceleration ✓ ✓
4K playback ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android web, windows, ios, android
Format support Matroska (MKV), MP4 MPEG-2, MPEG-1, MOV, H.264, VC-1, DivX, Xvid, AC3, DTS, MP3, AAC, Matroska, DVD, Blu-ray
License model Free Free
Our review
Pros
  • Broad media, codec, subtitle, and network playback support
  • Lua and user-script support with configurable playback behavior
  • OpenGL, Vulkan, D3D11, and hardware video decoding support
  • 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
Cons
  • Command-line orientation can be less approachable for casual viewers
  • Minimal on-screen controller offers fewer built-in controls
  • Many platform binaries are provided by third parties
  • 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
Our verdict

mpv is a free, open-source media player built around command-line playback and configurable behavior. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, making it suitable for power users who want a consistent player across major desktop…

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 →
  1. mpvMedia Player Software 9.1Free plan
  2. MediaPortalMedia Player Software 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • mpv — where it wins

    • Broad media, codec, subtitle, and network playback support
    • Lua and user-script support with configurable playback behavior
    • OpenGL, Vulkan, D3D11, and hardware video decoding support

    Where it doesn't

    • Command-line orientation can be less approachable for casual viewers
    • Minimal on-screen controller offers fewer built-in controls
    • Many platform binaries are provided by third parties

  • 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

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