MPlayer
MPlayer: A free, open-source player for technical users who need wide format and stream support. Ranked #6 of 42 in Video Player Software by our editors (8.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for technical users needing broad legacy support.
At a glance
- Editor score8.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTechnical users needing broad legacy support
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Supported platformsLinux, Windows, Mac OS X, BSD, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, QNX
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Plays a wide range of video and audio formats
- Supports many subtitle formats, streams, and optical media
- Offers adjustable speed, frame-by-frame playback, and hardware acceleration
Where it doesn't
- Optional GUI is not enabled by default
- Command-line binaries may not suit GUI-first users
- Hardware acceleration depends on supported output drivers
Our verdict on MPlayer
MPlayer is a free, open-source media player for technical users who need broad compatibility across Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, and other Unix-like systems. It handles local files, optical media, television input, and network streams, while supporting native, binary, and platform-specific codecs. Its command-line orientation makes it a natural fit for users comfortable with command-line binaries and playback controls, while an optional GUI is available but not enabled by default.
Its strongest differentiator is breadth. MPlayer supports formats including MPEG, AVI, Ogg/OGM, WMV, MP4, RealMedia, and Matroska, alongside codec support for MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4 ASP, H.264, WMV, RealVideo, MP3, AAC, DTS, and other audio and video standards. Subtitle coverage includes MicroDVD, SubRip, OGM, SubViewer, Sami, SSA, VPlayer, VOBsub, Closed Captions, and more. Playback can come from HTTP, FTP, RTP/RTSP, MMS/MMST, and SDP streams, and the software includes DVD, VCD, and optical-media playback. Multiple output drivers include X11, OpenGL, DirectX, and CoreVideo; supported drivers such as XVideo, VIDIX, and VDPAU can provide hardware-accelerated output.
The trade-off is the technical setup and interface emphasis. Primarily distributed as source code and command-line binaries, MPlayer is better suited to users who value control, legacy format coverage, and configurable output over a polished default interface. Onscreen display and keyboard-control feedback, adjustable playback speed, and frame-by-frame playback add useful precision for playback workflows. Hardware acceleration is available through supported drivers, so output behavior depends on the platform and driver combination. Choose MPlayer for format breadth, streaming options, and low-level control; choose another player if a GUI-first experience is the priority.
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MPlayer pricing
MPlayer fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, BSD, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, QNX |
| Codec support | MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4 ASP, H.264, WMV1/2/3, RealVideo, Sorenson, Cinepak, DV, 3ivx, Indeo, H.263, MJPEG, HuffYUV, MP3, AC3/A52, E-AC3, DTS, AAC, WMA, RealAudio, Ogg Vorbis, PCM |
| Subtitle formats | MicroDVD, SubRip, OGM, SubViewer, Sami, VPlayer, RT, SSA, AQTitle, JACOsub, PJS, MPsub, SPU, VOBsub, Closed Captions |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| Maximum resolution | Not verified |
| Playback speed control | Yes |
| Portable version | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | mplayerhq.hu |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to MPlayer
- VLC media playerA broad, free player for local media, network playback, subtitles, and major platforms.9.4
- KodiA free, flexible choice for organizing and playing media across five platforms.9.2
- mpvA highly configurable free player for users who value scripting and control.9.0
See all MPlayer alternatives →
MPlayer vs the competition
- MPlayer vs VLC media player
- MPlayer vs Kodi
- MPlayer vs mpv
- MPlayer vs SMPlayer
- MPlayer vs Bitmovin Player
Compare MPlayer with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
MPlayer is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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