Next Player
Next Player: A capable free player for Android media, subtitles, and network storage. Ranked #22 of 42 in Video Player Software by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for android users with network storage.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forAndroid users with network storage
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Supported platformsAndroid, Android TV
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports SMB, FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV network storage
- Includes Android TV, picture-in-picture, and background playback
- Open source, free, and supports external subtitles and playback controls
Where it doesn't
- Available on Android and Android TV, not other listed platforms
- Format support can depend on the Android device
- The vendor states that the project may contain bugs
Our verdict on Next Player
Next Player is a free, open-source video player for Android phones, tablets, and TVs. It handles local videos, URLs, Android storage-provider content, and media stored on SMB, FTP, SFTP, or WebDAV servers. The feature set also covers video, audio, and subtitle track selection, adjustable playback speed, picture-in-picture, background playback, external subtitles, subtitle delay, and gesture controls for seeking, brightness, and volume. An Android TV version extends the product beyond mobile viewing.
Network storage is a central strength. Next Player supports four connection types—SMB, FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV—and provides a media picker with tree, folder, and file views. That makes it a practical fit for Android users who keep videos on network storage rather than only on local device storage. Playback also includes hardware acceleration, zoom gestures, and support for a broad set of listed video and audio codecs. Subtitle support includes SRT, SSA, ASS, TTML, VTT, and DVB formats.
The product's open-source, free model makes it suitable for users who want a focused Android player without a paid tier. It is also a strong match for viewers who need background playback, picture-in-picture, subtitle controls, or Android TV support. However, the platform scope is limited to Android and Android TV, and the vendor states that the project may contain bugs. Format support can depend on the Android device, so users seeking broader platform coverage or more predictable format handling should consider an alternative.
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Next Player pricing
Next Player fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Android, Android TV |
| Codec support | Video: H.263, H.264 AVC, H.265 HEVC, MPEG-4 SP, VP8, VP9, AV1; audio: Vorbis, Opus, FLAC, ALAC, PCM/WAVE, MP1, MP2, MP3, AMR, AAC, AC-3, E-AC-3, DTS, DTS-HD, TrueHD |
| Subtitle formats | SRT, SSA, ASS, TTML, VTT, DVB |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| Maximum resolution | Not verified |
| Playback speed control | Yes |
| Portable version | Not verified |
| Deployment | Mobile |
| Platforms | Android |
| Support | Email, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: SMB, FTP, SFTP, WebDAV |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Next Player integrations
Next Player lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- SMB
- FTP
- SFTP
- WebDAV
Alternatives to Next Player
- 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 Next Player alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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