Syncplay review
A free, open-source companion for watching local media in sync across supported players.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Syncplay is free, open-source synchronisation software for people watching video together from different locations. It works as a client and server alongside supported media players rather than as a standalone player. Viewers connect through shared rooms, supply their own local media file or supported stream, and synchronise play, pause, seeking, and playback position. It fits solo users, small groups, mid-market teams, and enterprise environments that need coordinated viewing across Windows, Linux, *BSD, macOS, or self-hosted deployments.
Its strongest capability is coordinated playback across different locations. Shared playlists can use local media directories and supported URLs, while managed rooms can restrict who may seek, pause, or resume. When playback drifts, Syncplay can slow down, rewind, or fast-forward to correct desynchronisation. Text chat appears inside mpv, and configurable on-screen messages and event notifications provide session feedback. These features make Syncplay a focused choice for organised group viewing rather than a general media library or playback application.
Platform fit depends on the media player selected for each viewer. Syncplay integrates with mpv, mpv.net, MPC-BE, MPC-HC, VLC, IINA, and memento, and supports stream URLs through compatible players. That flexibility also means the playback experience varies by player: media formats, subtitle handling, hardware acceleration, and 4K playback depend on the selected application. Choose Syncplay when synchronisation, rooms, shared playlists, and group controls matter most. Choose a standalone media player instead if the priority is a single application responsible for playback features and media handling.
Syncplay pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Synchronises playback, seeking, and position across viewers
- Shared playlists support local media directories and supported URLs
- Managed rooms, chat, and desynchronisation correction support group viewing
- Where it doesn't
- Requires a separate compatible media player for playback
- Media formats and subtitle handling depend on the selected player
- Server and client setup adds complexity beyond a standalone player
Syncplay fact sheet, pricing and score →
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