Best Next Player Alternatives in 2026
The top Next Player alternatives are VLC media player, Kodi and mpv: 15 video player software our editors would look at instead of Next Player, in our ranking order.
Next Player: A capable free player for Android media, subtitles, and network storage. Where it falls short: available on android and android TV, not other listed platforms.
Switching from Next Player? For most video player software buyers the best Next Player alternative is VLC media player, built for most users needing a free all-purpose player.
Why People Look for a Next Player Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallVLC media player9.4
Most users needing a free all-purpose player
Visit VLC media player - Best free optionVLC media player9.4
Has a free plan
Visit VLC media player
All 15 Next Player Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forMost users needing a free all-purpose player
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.1
A broad, free player for local media, network playback, subtitles, and major platforms.
- Hardware acceleration
9.4/10★★★★★Visit VideoLAN -
Best forHome theater and media-library users
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.1
A free, flexible choice for organizing and playing media across five platforms.
- Playback speed control
- Hardware acceleration
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Kodi -
Best forPower users who want scripting and control
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.1
A highly configurable free player for users who value scripting and control.
- Hardware acceleration
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit mpv -
Best forFree desktop playback with subtitle tools
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.1
A capable free desktop player for formats, subtitles, streaming, and playback controls.
- Hardware acceleration
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit SMPlayer -
Best forEnterprise streaming and DRM deployments
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.1
A broad video playback SDK for enterprise streaming, DRM, and multi-device delivery.
- Playback speed control
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Bitmovin -
Best forTechnical users needing broad legacy support
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.1
A free, open-source player for technical users who need wide format and stream support.
- Playback speed control
- Hardware acceleration
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit MPlayer -
Best forApple users with network media libraries
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.1
A format-rich Apple player with strong network playback and optional Pro upgrades.
- Hardware acceleration
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Infuse -
Best forFree high-resolution playback across devices
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.1
A broad-format player with 4K/8K playback, network access, cloud support, and Chromecast.
- Hardware acceleration
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit KMPlayer -
Best forFree 4K/8K playback on desktop
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.1
A broad-format free player for high-resolution media on Windows and macOS.
- Hardware acceleration
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit 5KPlayer -
Best forUsers wanting a simple 4K desktop player
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.1
A capable free 4K player for Windows and Mac, with Pro-only cloud imports and extras.
- Hardware acceleration
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit DivX Player -
Best forUsers wanting subtitles and broad format support
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.1
A capable cross-platform player for subtitles, formats, URLs, and VR video.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit GOM Player -
Best forWindows home-theater enthusiasts
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.1
A feature-rich Windows player for home theaters, with no free plan and a paid entry point.
- Portable version
- Playback speed control
- Hardware acceleration
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Zoom Player -
Best forLinux users wanting a customizable mpv frontend
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.1
A customizable free player for Linux users who want mpv controls and online playback.
- Hardware acceleration
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit KDE -
Best forDevelopers and command-line playback users
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.1
A free, open-source player for technical users who need control over media playback.
- Hardware acceleration
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit FFmpeg -
Best forLinux users wanting a basic free player
- Better than Next Player:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.1
A capable Linux-only player for local media, discs, streams, subtitles, and playlists.
- Hardware acceleration
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Parole
Next Player Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Next Player?
VLC media player: #1 in our Video Player Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad, free player for local media, network playback, subtitles, and major platforms.
Is there a free alternative to Next Player?
Yes. VLC media player, Kodi, mpv, SMPlayer and Bitmovin Player have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Next Player alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from Next Player?
Export your data from Next Player (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Next Player.
How to Switch from Next Player
- Export your data from Next Player (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Next Player.
Next Player vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Hardware acceleration | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Next Player | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.1 |
| 1 | VLC media player | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Kodi | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.2 |
| 3 | mpv | Yes | Free | Yes | 9.0 |
| 4 | SMPlayer | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.9 |
| 5 | Bitmovin Player | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 6 | MPlayer | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.7 |
| 7 | Infuse | Yes | $16.99/yr | Yes | 8.6 |
| 8 | KMPlayer | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 9 | 5KPlayer | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.4 |
| 10 | DivX Player | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 11 | GOM Player | Yes | $22 one-time | 8.2 | |
| 12 | Zoom Player | No | $23.95 one-time | Yes | 8.1 |
| 13 | Haruna | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.0 |
| 14 | FFplay | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | Parole | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update