The best video players for Mac will support several Video formats, have HDR, 4K, advanced playback speed options (1.5x 2x, and so forth), as well as hardware acceleration & FFmpeg.
Default media players like quicktime don’t always support the video codecs and advanced features you need, so what media players do you use when they don’t?
In this comprehensive guide, we dive into video players that have the essential features for seamless video playback on Mac devices and laptops.
- Related: How to open & play AVI on Mac
- Also see: The Best way to play a MKV file on Mac
We will explore the top mac video players; many which have a wide range of audio and video codecs, video scaling, color management, interpolation frame timing, and more.
- Top picks – At a glance
- 21 Best Video Players for Mac
- 1. VLC Media Player – Best Free Movie Player for Mac
- 2. MPV Media Player
- 3. IINA
- 4. Movist
- 5. Elmedia Player — Universal Video Player for Mac
- 6. QuickTime for Mac
- 7. Plex
- 8. Infuse
- 9. 5KPlayer
- 10. Emby
- 11. Jellyfin
- 12. DivX
- 13. Cisdem Video Player for Mac
- 14. iFunia
- 15. JustPlay
- 16. Omni Player
- 17. Total Video Player
- 18. Wondershare Filmora for Mac: Play and Edit Your Videos
- 19. MPlayerX
- 20. Filmora Video Editor
- Video Formats a good Media Player should be able to run
- How to choose the best Video player for Mac
- How we rated, tested and choose the Top Mac Video players in this list
- FAQ:
- Bottom Line
Top picks – At a glance
Below are our top picks for the best video players for Mac:
- VLC Media Player – Best Free Movie Player for Mac (4k, HDR)
- MPV Media Player – Has Hardware acceleration and FFmpeg
- IINA
- Movist
- Elmedia Player — Universal Video Player for Mac
- QuickTime for Mac
- Plex
- Infuse
- 5KPlayer
- Emby
- Jellyfin
- DivX – AC3 & DTS audio, cloud storage syncing
- Cisdem Video
- iFunia
- JustPlay
- Omni Player
- Total Video Player
- Wondershare Filmora for Mac: Play and Edit Your Videos
- MPlayerX
- Filmora Video Editor
Features to look for in a video player:
- A powerful Media player for Mac will have HDR video, 4k Video, MKV files, formats, and if it has subtitles. We have researched this for you in a table.
- A good player for mac will also plays obscure multimedia containers. The best is VLC MediaPlayer, so if you don’t know the format, then VLC is very well known.
- MPV, VLC Mediaplayer are two that have hardware acceleration and FFmpeg
Below, are our top picks for the best video players for Mac:
21 Best Video Players for Mac
We’ve tested and reviewed the best video players for mac by exploring each feature that is crucial for all levels of video playback.
I’ll also cover which video players have advanced features, which include HDR, 4K, playback speed, video & audio codecs, and even hardware acceleration and FFMpeg.
Related: Best Video Players for iPad Pro and Air
1. VLC Media Player – Best Free Movie Player for Mac
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x + |
| Video Formats | MPEG (ES,PS,TS,PVA,MP3), AVI, ASF/WMV/WMA, MP4/MOV/3GP, OGG/OGM (MKV), Real, WAV (including DTS) |
| Audio Formats | DTS, AAC, AC3/A52, Raw DV, FLAC, FLV (Flash), MXF, Nut and Standard MIDI/SMF files as well as Creative™ Voice. |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
VLC media player is a free, open source, and cross-platform multimedia player that plays almost all types of media files, including discs, audio/video streams, webcams, devices and more.
Mac users who want the absolute best, free, most efficient video player to watch movies or other media should consider using VLC as it runs MKV, AVI and 4K Video formats.
This powerful software can play virtually any media file faster than most players due to its hardware decoding abilities. Its 0-copy on the GPU feature makes it useful for even the most demanding movie scenes (I tested this on my MacBook Air with an M1 chip).
See Why VLC is still one of the best video players (Full review & Survey)
What we liked: You won’t encounter annoying ads or spyware with VLC as there are none! VLC also has screen recording & capturing, which can be a deciding factor for many who need this feature.
- Users appreciate the playback speed options available in VLC; it allows users to adjust the speed of videos as well as slow down or increase their playback rate whilst maintaining their audio pitch.
- Developed by VideoLAN (VLC) project since 1996, VLC offers features like SAP/SDP announces, Bonjour protocol, Mozilla/Firefox plugin, ActiveX plugin, SVCD Menus , Localization , CD Text , CDDB CD info , IGMPv3 , IPv6 , MLDv2 , CPU acceleration and so on.
- You can cut and trim videos in VLC to remove a section and edit videos without the need of another separate editing software.
Whats interesting is VLC works on other devices. For example, you can even get VLC media player on Roku.
You can also tailor your experience with the help of online plugins that allow you to add subtitles and visualizations when watching movies or listening to audios in VLC media player.
2. MPV Media Player
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | MPEG/VOB, AVI, Ogg/OGM, VIVO, ASF/WMA/WMV, QT/MOV/MP4, RealMedia, Matroska, NUT, NuppelVideo, FLI, YUV4MPEG, FILM, RoQ, PVA files, supported by many native, XAnim, and Win32 DLL codecs |
| Audio Formats | ac3, dts, dts-hd, eac3, truehd |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
MPV Media Player is a powerful and feature-packed media player that can be used as a desktop application on macOS systems.
What we liked: MPV Media player also has hardware acceleration and FFMpeg, which many media players for mac do not have, besides VLC.
It has many features such as powerful scripting capabilities, an on-screen controller, high quality video output, GPU video decoding and more. MPV Media Player is great for Mac users who want to watch videos at high resolutions such as MKV and 4K video.
Related: Is a MacBook Air Good for Video Editing (The Truth)
I have used MPV Media Player on my old Macbook Air and my new MacBook Pro, and it has worked flawlessly on both device models. In terms of playing speed, MPV supports playback speeds up to 2x (dependent on hardware/software setups).
3. IINA
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | All formats supported by ffmpeg or libav ( AVI, MP4, FLV, SWF, WMV, MKV, M4V, AAC,FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA) |
| Audio Formats | All formats supported by ffmpeg or libav |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
INNA media player coins itself a modern media player for Mac OS and is a sleek & stylish video player specifically designed for Mac users. It’s designed with ease of use in mind and provides excellent video playback quality.
You can enjoy playing MKV and 4K videos with no hassle. However, it’s not compatible with some video formats like FLV and RMVB.
What we liked: INNA media player has some prominent features that give you more control over your video playback experience. You can run videos at 1.5 and 2x speed, and it comes with a Touch Bar, System Media Control, and Customizable UI.
Here is photo example of INNA’s modern mac Media player interface, you’ll notice it does have more modern aesthetics compared to other media players like VLC and INNA:
You can also access online subtitles, music mode, mouse trackpad gestures, thumbnail preview, and a plugin system. However, there’s no native screen capturing or recording feature like VLC and Omni player allows for.
Overall, if you’re a Mac user who wants an excellent video player with a range of features and functions, INNA media player is definitely worth considering.
Related: 10 Best Video Players for iPhone
4. Movist
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | Various |
| Audio Formats | Various |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
Movist is a media player for Mac users that boasts a beautiful and user-friendly interface.
The main menu keeps you up-to-date with real-time updates and the control panel gives you quick access to all the functions you need. A little trick is to visit the movist site and see the features that are made for apple silicon Mac.
Also, I found that if you downloaded the mac version from the app store, that certain features aren’t included – so getting the download from the Movist site is the best route.
With Movist, you can enjoy 4K UHD images with hardware sped up decoding of H.265/HEVC codec. You can also customize your viewing experience with default preferences, such as specifying the default track language, video quality, filters, equalizer, and more. You can view subtitles in multiple languages or even have them read aloud.
What we liked: Also, Movist is a great way to play an MKV file on Mac and 4K video, but it’s not compatible with some formats like FLV, WMV, and others. You can also run videos at 1.5 and 2x speed.
It also has several features that enhance your video playback experience, such as HDR Tone Mapping, convenient playlists, the ability to display subtitles in letterbox space, and more.
Overall, if you’re a Mac user in need of a top-notch video player, Movist is a fantastic option.
5. Elmedia Player — Universal Video Player for Mac
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | N/A |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video FormatsVideo Formats | .RM, .RV, .RMVB, .MPG, .MPEG, .MPV, .M1V, .M2V, .MPG2, .M2T, .M2TS, .TS, .MP4, .M4V, .MPG4, .MPEG4, .3GP, .ASF, .WMV, .FLI, .AC3, .MQV, .MKV, .WEBM, .MKA, .3IV, .NUT, .NUV, .NSV, .QT, .REC, .VCD, .VFW, .VOB, .PCM, .VAW, .AVI, .FLV, .F4V, .SWF, FLASH PROJECTOR .EXE, .H264, UNENCRYPTED .BDMV, .3GPP, .3GA, .3AMV, .FLI, .FLC, .TY, .TY+, .TIVO, .DVR-MS |
| Audio Formats | .RA, .RAM, .OGG, .OGM, .MP3, .M4A, .M4P, .M4R, .AAC, .WMA, .AU, .MPGA, .QCP, .DSF, .CUE |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
Mac users can enjoy a universal video player experience with Elmedia Player. Known for its fantastic video playback capabilities and customizable features, it offers an unparalleled viewing experience.
The player supports a wide range of video formats, including MKV and 4K video. However, it may not be compatible with certain formats like FLV.
You can pick which videos to include, enable repeat or shuffle, and even export your current playlist for later viewing. The player also offers advanced subtitle support, allowing you to sync subtitles and audio, adjust playback speed, and even watch the video frame-by-frame.
What we liked: Elmedia Player gives you full control over playback speed, so you can choose to watch your video in 1.5 or 2x or faster speeds.
If you have a multi-monitor setup, you can choose which monitor to play the video on, including full-screen mode. You can also adjust various aspects of the video, such as brightness, saturation, and contrast, to get the perfect viewing experience.
Elmedia also has no screen recording or capturing, which can be a deciding factor for some.
Elmedia Player is a fantastic choice for Mac users who want a reliable and customizable video player that provides an exceptional viewing experience.
6. QuickTime for Mac
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | QuickTime Movie (.mov), MPEG-4 (.mp4, .m4v), MPEG-1, 3GPP, 3GPP2, AVI, DV |
| Audio Formats | iTunes Audio (.m4a, .m4b, .m4p), MP3, Core Audio (.caf), AIFF, AU, SD2, WAV, SND, AMR |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | No |
QuickTime for Mac is a media player and video editor that is only available for Mac users. With its compatibility with MKV and 4K video, it’s a great option for those who want to watch high-quality videos. It is the best Movie player for Mac that controls 1.5 and 2x speeds.
QuickTime for Mac also has powerful video editing tools you can use to trim and split videos, merge clips, rotate footage, and change the resolution of your videos. And when you’re ready to share your creations, you can do so directly through various platforms like Mail, Messages, AirDrop, Vimeo, Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube.
The main downside with Quicktime is that it can not play formats such as AVI or MKV natively, this is why so many users are searching for a better video player to use on their Mac with more compatibility, such as VLC Media Player or MPV player.
In short, QuickTime for Mac is a well-rounded media player and video editor that offers a lot of features for Mac users. With its screen recording and editing tools, as well as its easy sharing options, it’s a superb choice for anyone who wants an all-in-one solution for their video needs.
7. Plex
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | No |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | ASF, AVI MP4, MOV, MPEGTS, TS, MKV , WMV |
| Audio Formats | AAC, ALAC, E-AC3, FLAC, MP3, M4A, WAV |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
Plex Media Player is a video player software that provides users with a sophisticated and powerful way to play their media in a home theater setting.
The software is known for its simple and intuitive controls, giving users a clean and theater-like viewing experience. Plex Media Player allows for you to play new movies and can play a variety of file types, including MKV and 4K video and can play videos in 1.5x and 2x speed.
It works on a variety of devices, from Raspberry Pis to Mac Mini, making it an ideal solution for Mac users who need an excellent video player. Similar to Plex is Emby and Jellyfin, which both also work on Mac – you can read a full review of our comparison between these: Jellyfin vs Plex vs Emb.
Overall, Plex Media Player offers Mac users a powerful and easy-to-use solution for playing media paired with a wide range of file types, powerful search and browsing capabilities, and a clean and intuitive interface.
8. Infuse
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | MP4, M4V, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, MTS, ISO, VIDEO_TS, FLV, OGM, OGV, ASF, 3GP, DVR-MS, |
| Audio Formats | Dolby® Digital Plus (AC3/E-AC3), DTS® and DTS-HD® audio, AAC, AC3, FLAC and MP3 |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
Infuse by fireCore is the perfect choice for Mac users who want a top-notch video player experience. This high-performance player can play just about every video file format, including 4K and MKV, and even upscale lower resolution videos to make them look stunning on bigger screens.
Related: Infuse Review: Is it better than Plex?
With Infuse, you can stream videos from popular media servers like Plex, Emby, and Jellyfin, as well as cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, giving you a centralized library of all your video content.
The infuse video player also works on Mac & Apple TV to play some of the highest quality, most difficult formats available in direct play. This is useful for those who play downloaded Netflix movies on Mac or on TV via Apple TV.
The built-in metadata and artwork downloader is a real bonus, making it easy to keep your video library organized and looking good.
What we liked: What’s even more exciting is that Infuse offers variable-speed playback, allowing you to speed up or slow down videos to fit your viewing preferences. Whether you’re trying to keep up with a fast-paced action scene or need to slow things down for better understanding, Infuse has got you covered.
Overall, Infuse is the ideal solution for Mac users who want a comprehensive video player that is versatile, easy to use, and packed with features.
9. 5KPlayer
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | .3G2, .3GP, .ASF, .ASX, .AVI, .DIV, .DIVX, .DV, .F4V, .FLI, .FLV, .H264, M2TS, .M4V, .MJP, .MKV, .MOV, .MP4, .MPEG, .MPG, .MPG2, .MTS, .MTV, .MXF, .OGM, .OGV, .QT, .QTZ, .RM, .RMVB, .RV, .SWF, .TLVO, .TP, .TS, .VC1, .VCD, .VFW, .VOB, .VRO, .WEBM, .WMV, .WTV, .XVID, .YUV. |
| Audio Formats | .AA3, .AAC, .AC3, .ACM, .AIF, .AIFF, .ALAC, .APE, .CAF, .FLAC, .M3U, .M4A, .M4B, .MID, .MKA, .MP3, .MPA, .OGG, .PCM, .RA, .RAM, .WAV. |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
5KPlayer is a top-notch media player designed only for Mac users who are in search of an all-in-one video player. With its support of a vast range of video and audio formats, including MKV and 4K video, it’s a comprehensive and powerful media player.
What we liked: One of the standout features of 5KPlayer is its ability to play Hi-Fi audio, with support for multi-channel surround sound in any audio format, such as MP3, AAC, OGG, AC3, WMA, FLAC, and ALAC lossless. This ensures an unbeatable audio experience for users.
5KPlayer also serves as a one-stop destination for building your personal multimedia library. You can access and manage online videos, DLNA Share lists, sort, and play your favorite audio and video files all in one place.
5KPlayer is a fantastic choice for Mac users who are looking for a complete media player solution.
10. Emby
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Depend on the device on which you’re playing |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | MP4, MKV, ISO, DVD/Blu-Ray |
| Audio Formats | AAC, Dolby Digital, DTS |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes but not all |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
Emby media player is a fantastic solution for Mac users who want to play and manage their personal media on any device. With Emby, you can enjoy your videos, music, and photos in a variety of formats, including MKV and 4K. However, Emby isn’t compatible with some video formats, such as QuickTime, or content that is protected by DRM.
One thing to keep in mind is that while Emby does offer the ability to play videos at faster speeds, such as 1.5 or 2x, users have reported the experience to be a bit jerky, laggy, and stuttering with delays – however on Mac I have not experienced any lag regarding this yet.
What we liked: There are many significant features to love about Emby. For example, Your Media on Any Device makes it easy to stream your media to any device. Easy Access makes it simple to enjoy your media from anywhere.
Live TV lets you stream live TV and manage your DVR recordings. Mobile Sync makes it possible to access your media offline on your mobile devices. And Manage Your Home lets you control content access and monitor sessions for your kids.
Emby also offers plenty of ways to organize and manage your media, like Chromecast support, beautiful displays, parental controls, cloud sync, and easy DLNA support.
Overall, if you want a robust video player for your Mac, Emby is definitely worth considering. With its ability to play your media on any device, live TV streaming, and organizing tools, it’s a great all-in-one solution!
11. Jellyfin
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | H.264 8Bit, H.264 10Bit, H.265 8Bit,H.265 10Bit VP9,AV1 |
| Audio Formats | FLAC, MP3, AAC, AC3, EAC32, VORBIS3, DTS4, OPUS |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
Jellyfin media player is a superb solution for those who want a free, open-source media center. It’s very unique compared to many of the other, but most similar to emby and plex.
Influenced by the foundation of Plex Media Player, Jellyfin offers compatibility with popular video formats, like MKV and 4K, making it perfect for those with extensive collections of high-quality video content but is not compatible with DRM-protected content.
It’s also 10 years newer than Plex according to our source, wikipedia. Which may have some pros and cons as the newer technology is useful, but the bugs and errors may not be worked out the way Plex has (this is all speculation from my personal experience).
What we liked: There are some great features that make Jellyfin stand out, including the ability to select audio devices and configure audio pass-through, change the refresh rate of your display to match the video content, and control the client with remote controls, game controllers, and media keys.
Jellyfin is also great for playing music and can connect to multiple separate servers, so you can easily switch between them.
If you’re looking for a powerful media center for your Mac, Jellyfin is a superb choice with its extensive range of features and customization options.
12. DivX
| FeatureFeature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | AVI, DIVX, MKV, MP4, H.264, MPEG-2, VC-1 |
| Audio Formats | AC3, DTS-HD, DLNA, AAC |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
DivX Media Player is a very powerful video player designed specifically for Mac users who are looking for an exceptional video playback experience. Whats interesting is that it allows for AC3 and DTS audio as well as cloud storage syncing – something not every video player has.
The downside is the pro version with these advanced features does cost $19.99, but they have been developing it for over 20 years and many professionals who work with video may need this type of support.
With its support for high-quality video up to 4K, you can enjoy all your favorite movies and TV shows in stunning detail. This player can play a wide range of video formats, including AVI, DIVX, MKV, and MP4, making it a versatile option for all your video needs.
What we liked: One of the standout features of DivX Media Player is its media library, which helps you keep track of all your videos and even create, play, and loop playlists. The player also comes with a media server that lets you cast videos, music, and photos to any DLNA-compatible device in your home.
The smooth FF/RW feature and multiple audio support make it easy to navigate to your favorite scenes and switch between soundtracks.
Overall, DivX Media Player is a fantastic choice for Mac users who want a comprehensive and high-quality video player.
13. Cisdem Video Player for Mac
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | .MP4, .MKV, .WEBM, .MPEG, .WMV, .TS, .MOV, .AVI, .3GP, .3GP2, .ASF, .AVI, .DIV, .VOB, .FLV, .M4V, .MPV, .NUT, .NSV, .QT, .H264, .RM, .AMV, .DIVX, .ISO |
| Audio Formats | .AAC, .AC3, .AIFF, .APE, .MP3, .MP2, .M4A, .OGG, .WMA, .MKA, .AU |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
If you’re a Mac user in need of a high-performing video player, Cisdem Video Player might just be the one for you. CISDEM is actually part of a larger suite of products, but can be purchased individually.
With Cisdem Video Player, you can enjoy stunning video quality, including high-definition and ultra-high-definition videos up to 8K, with no lag or stuttering.
What we liked: Not only does Cisdem Video Player offer seamless video playback, but it also comes with a full range of controls: such as step forward/backward, volume control, and rotation.
Plus, its media library keeps track of all your videos, making it easy to create playlists and switch between different soundtracks.
In conclusion, Cisdem Video Player is a versatile and reliable choice for Mac users. With its support for a wide range of video and audio formats, advanced playback controls, and conversion features, it provides an outstanding movie watching experience that will make your movie nights even more enjoyable.
14. iFunia
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | N/A |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | .WMV, .AVI, .ASF, .RM, .RMVB, .3GP, .3G2, .MPG, .MPEG, .M2V, .DAT, .MP4, .TS, .M2T, .T2, .MOV, .QT, .M4V, .M2TS, .MTS, .FLV, .F4V, .MKV, .DV, .DIF, .DVR, .XWMV, .AMV, .MPV, .NSV, .MJPG, .MJPEG, .NUT, .H261, .H263, .H264, .YUV, .DIVX, .MOD, .TOD, .VRO, .DPG. |
| Audio Formats | .MP3, .MP2, .WMA, .WAV, .OGG, .AAC, .AC3, .M4A, .MKA, .AIFF, .APE, .FLAC. |
| Hardware acceleration | |
| FFmpeg |
iFunia Media Player is the perfect video player for Mac users who want to enjoy a seamless movie-watching experience. With support for a wide range of video and audio formats, including MP4, H.264/MP4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, AVI, MKV, MOV, WMV, MP3, M4A, WMA, AAC, FLAC, WAV, OGG, AC3 and more, you won’t need to use any conversion software or codec packs to play your media files.
What we liked: This media player offers full playback control options, including Step Forward/Backward, Volume +/-/Mute, and even custom shortcut keys for frequently used controls like skipping forward or backwards 10 seconds.
A media player typically doesn’t have built-in functionality to convert media files to different formats, but iFunia actually has this feature.
iFunia Media Player also doubles as a converter, allowing you to turn your multimedia files into desired formats and devices, such as MP4, M4V, MKV, MOV, AVI, MP3, M4A, and more. Simply select the format or device you want and let iFunia handle the rest.
In conclusion, iFunia Media Player is a well-rounded media player that has everything you need for a fantastic movie-watching experience. As mentioned earlier, what makes this video player unique is that you don’t need to search for a converter, you’ll have an all in one video player.
15. JustPlay
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, M4V, FLV, Blu-ray |
| Audio FormatsAudio Formats | MP3, FLAC, DAT |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
JustPlay is a fantastic video player for Mac users who are looking for a superior viewing experience. It can handle a wide range of video formats, including the popular MKV and 4K Video, making it a versatile option for movie and video enthusiasts.
What we liked: With JustPlay, you can customize your playback to your heart’s content. You can adjust the speed, fix any subtitle or audio syncing issues, tweak the video quality and brightness, and even use an external soundtrack for your video.
The app makes finding subtitles a breeze, thanks to its integrated search feature through opensubtitles.org. And, you can choose from a variety of sound output options, including headphones or a high-end home theater system. Plus, it even supports hardware decoders like AC3 or DTS for immersive surround audio.
In conclusion, JustPlay is a comprehensive and feature-packed video player that offers a seamless and enjoyable movie-watching experience for Mac users.
16. Omni Player
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | N/A |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | .MKV, .RMVB, .RM, .AVI, .MOV, .WMV, .FLV, .F4V, .F4P, .DIVX, .DV, .ASF, .WTV, .WEBM, .M3U, .M3U8, .OGM, .OGV, .3GP, .3GPP, .3G2, .3GP2, .MP4, .MPEG4, .M4V, .MPG, .MPEG, .MPEG1, .MPEG2, .M1V, .M2V, .MPV, .PS, .TS, .M2TS, .MTS, .MT2S |
| Audio Formats | .FLAC, .APE, .M2A, .MP1, .MP2, .MPA, .MP3, .MPG3, .M4A, .M4B, .WMA, .WAV, .WV, .XM, .AIFF, .AIF, .AC3, .A52, .AAC, .OPUS, .OGG, .OGA, .MID, .MIDI, .MKA |
| Hardware acceleration | |
| FFmpeg |
If you’re a Mac user looking for a strong video player through the official app store, Omni Player is an easy option. This versatile media player can handle many media, whether it’s local or on a remote server, and even supports online videos and audio with HTTP/https protocols.
What we liked: Not only can you play your favorite videos and music, but you can also customize your playback with features like the playlist control, where you can create playlists, search and delete media items, and choose the repeat mode. And for playback controls, you have options like pausing, resuming, fast-forwarding, rewinding, and jumping to a specific point in the video.
You can also adjust the video image to your liking, including changing the window size and aspect ratio, rotating the video, and tweaking the brightness, contrast, and saturation. And for audio, you can control the delay time for syncing, choose original audio tracks, and customize the audio equalizer.
One of the standout features of Omni Player is the subtitle control, which allows you to load local subtitles, search for and load online subtitles, and even change the color and size.
Overall, Omni Player is a comprehensive solution for Mac users looking for an excellent video player. With its support for a wide range of audio and video formats and its many customization options, it’s the perfect choice for a top-notch movie-watching experience.
17. Total Video Player
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | N/A |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | .TS, .MTS, .M2TS, .MXF, .TRP, .TP, .MP4, .M4V, .QT, .MOV, .MPG, .MPEG, .MPEG2, .MPEG4, .MJPG, .MJPEG, .AVI, .3GP, .3G2, .FLV, .MOD, .TOD, .RM, .RMVB, .WMV, .ASF, .MKV, .F4V, .DAT, .DV, .DIF, .WEBM |
| Audio Formats | .FLAC, .WAV, .WMA, .MP3, .MP2, .AAC, .AC3, .AIFF, .APE, .CAF, .MPC, .QCP, .OGG, .M4A, .M4B, .AUD, .MKA, .AIFC, .RA, .RAM, .AU, .AIF, .CUE |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg |
Total Video Player is the perfect media player for Mac users who want to enjoy their favorite videos and audio in high-quality. With support for an extensive list of video and audio formats, including TS, MTS, MKV, FLV, AVI, FLAC, WAV, and MP3, you can play almost any media file with ease. The player handles even the most demanding video playback, including 1080p HD video, incomplete or corrupted files, and even videos in 1080i format with its deinterlacing feature.
What we liked: One of the most unique type of features that Total Video Player provides is its subtitle support and the ability to handle embedded subtitles in mkv and mp4 files.
It even automatically loads the corresponding subtitle file with the same name as the video. The player allows you to adjust the subtitle’s font, text color, and text size, and supports popular subtitle formats like SubRip, Sub Station Alpha, and VobSub.
The playback control feature of Total Video Player makes it easy to pause, step, rewind, and watch videos in full-screen mode. You can also manage and organize your media files with its playlist feature, allowing you to loop and order your media files as you see fit.
Total Video Player is an all-in-one media player that offers a wide range of features, including versatile playback controls, subtitle support, and playlist management.
18. Wondershare Filmora for Mac: Play and Edit Your Videos
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | MPEG-1/2 VIDEO FILE: (.MPG, .MPEG, .M1V, .M2V), MPEG-4 VIDEO FILE: (.MP4, .M4V, .3GP, .3G2, .3GP2), AOMEDIA VIDEO 1 (.AV1), QUICKTIME MOVIE FILE: (.MOV ENCODED WITH MPEG 4 OR MJPEG CODEC ONLY), CAMCORDER FILE (.DV, .MOD, .TOD, .MTS, .M2TS, .M2T), FLASH VIDEO: (.FLV, .F4V), AUDIO VISUAL INTERLEAVE (.AVI), MATROSKA VIDEO FILE: (.MKV ENCODED WITH MPEG 4 OR MJPEG CODEC ONLY), HTML5 VIDEO FILE: (.MP4, .WEBM,. OGV), NON-ENCRYPTED DVD TITLES: (.VOB, .VRO) |
| Audio Formats | .MP3, .M4A, .WAV, .WMA, .OGG, .FLAC, .AIF, .AIFF, .CAF, .AU |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
Wondershare Filmora for Mac is the perfect video editing software for Mac users who want to elevate their video game. With support for MKV and 4K video formats, you’ll be able to play a variety of videos with ease.
What we liked: This software also comes with a host of editing tools, so you can make your videos look professional. They also have a suit of other media focused product that I’ve used – the support was decent when I had a problem and they helped out a lot. In the end, I went with VLC Media player, but Wondersahre Filmora isn’t a bad alternative if you need to edit and also play videos.
With tools like noise removal, color tuning, an advanced text editor, an audio mixer, video stabilization, scene detection, and an audio equalizer, the possibilities are endless.
You can even record your computer screen and webcam with ease, thanks to the built-in screen recording feature. And with the video stabilizing tool, your videos will look smoother and more polished, free of any camera shake.
Wondershare Filmora for Mac is an all-in-one solution for Mac users who want both an excellent video player and a comprehensive video editing software.
19. MPlayerX
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | Cinepak, DV, H.263, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, HuffYUV, Indeo, MJPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Part 2, RealVideo, Sorenson, Theora, WMV, Bink |
| Audio Formats | AAC, AC3, ALAC, AMR, DTS, FLAC, Intel Music Coder, Monkey’s Audio, MP3, Musepack, RealAudio, Shorten, Speex, Vorbis, WMA, Bink |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
MPlayerX is a fantastic video player designed specifically for Mac users. It’s open-source, and it offers a wide range of video format compatibility. With MPlayerX, Mac users can enjoy watching a variety of video formats with ease.
What we liked: One of the standout features of MPlayerX is the broad range of supported output drivers. From X11, Xv, DGA, OpenGL, to SDL and more, these drivers allow for full-screen viewing and hardware or software scaling.
MPlayerX also supports 4K video and MKV formats, but it may not be compatible with certain proprietary video formats like DRM-protected videos.
For those who like to watch their movies or TV shows at a faster or slower pace, MPlayerX offers the option to play videos at 1.5 or 2x speed.
MPlayerX is a great option for Mac users who are looking for a powerful, versatile, and feature-rich video player. With playback speed control, on-screen display, support for various subtitle formats, and more, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone in need of a video player for their Mac.
20. Filmora Video Editor
| Feature | Compatibility |
| HDR | Yes |
| 4K playback | Yes |
| Playback speed | 1.5x, 2x, 3x |
| Video Formats | MPEG-1/2 VIDEO FILE: (.MPG, .MPEG, .M1V, .M2V), MPEG-4 VIDEO FILE: (.MP4, .M4V, .3GP, .3G2, .3GP2), AOMEDIA VIDEO 1 (.AV1), QUICKTIME MOVIE FILE: (.MOV ENCODED WITH MPEG 4 OR MJPEG CODEC ONLY), CAMCORDER FILE (.DV, .MOD, .TOD, .MTS, .M2TS, .M2T), FLASH VIDEO: (.FLV, .F4V), AUDIO VISUAL INTERLEAVE (.AVI), MATROSKA VIDEO FILE: (.MKV ENCODED WITH MPEG 4 OR MJPEG CODEC ONLY), HTML5 VIDEO FILE: (.MP4, .WEBM,. OGV), NON-ENCRYPTED DVD TITLES: (.VOB, .VRO) |
| Audio Formats | .MP3, .M4A, .WAV, .WMA, .OGG, .FLAC, .AIF, .AIFF, .CAF, .AU |
| Hardware acceleration | Yes |
| FFmpeg | Yes |
Filmora Video Editor is the ultimate solution for Mac users who want to create and edit stunning videos with ease.
With support for a wide range of file formats, including MKV and 4K video you’ll be able to work with all of your favorite videos. However, some less common video formats may not be supported.
The software boasts a wide range of amazing features, including Picture in Picture, Green Screen, Split Screen, Motion Tracking, Keyframing, Pan & Zoom, Color Correction, and much more. These features give you the freedom to create engaging and dynamic videos with ease.
The media player included with Filmora Video Editor is just as impressive, offering support for a wide range of video and audio formats. The player even allows you to control the playback speed, so you can slow down or speed up videos for a better viewing experience.
Overall, if you’re looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly video editing tool for your Mac, Filmora Video Editor is the perfect choice. With its powerful features and ease of use, you’ll be able to create stunning videos with ease.
Video Formats a good Media Player should be able to run
Give a brief explanation about how certain media players will play MKV, WNV, ABI, MP4, MOV, but they won’t player more obscure formats.
These help you play movies, shows, and other videos like downloaded online video courses, for example.
Here are all the possible video formats a good media player for Mac should be able to handle:
MKV
MKV stands for Matroska Video, and is an open-source multimedia container format that can contain various audio, video, and subtitle streams in one file. It is commonly used for storing high-definition video content.
WMV
WMV stands for Windows Media Video, and is a video file format developed by Microsoft. It is mainly used for streaming video over the internet and is compatible with Windows Media Player.
See: VLC vs Windows Media Player vs PotPlayer – Comparison (Pros and Cons)
AVI
AVI stands for Audio Video Interleave, and is a popular multimedia container format that was developed by Microsoft. It can contain both audio and video data in one file, and is often used for storing and sharing video content.
MOV
MOV is a multimedia container format developed by Apple, and is used to store video and audio content in QuickTime format. It is compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems.
M4V
M4V is a video file format used by Apple to store video content in iTunes. It is similar to the MOV format but has some additional restrictions, such as the inability to play on non-Apple devices.
MPG
MPG stands for MPEG Video, and is a video file format that uses the MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 compression standards. It is commonly used for storing video content, especially for older video content.
MP4
MP4 is a multimedia container format that is used to store video, audio, images, and other multimedia content. It is a popular format for storing and sharing video content, and is compatible with most modern media players.
FLV
FLV stands for Flash Video, and is a video file format that is used to deliver video content over the internet. It was developed by Adobe Systems, and is commonly used by websites like YouTube.
Related: How to Download a Youtube Video with VLC (Windows & Mac)
MP3
MP3 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, and is a digital audio format that uses lossy data compression to reduce file size. It is a popular format for storing and sharing music files.
DAT
DAT is a generic term for a data file, and can refer to a variety of file formats used to store different types of data, such as video or audio. The specific format of a DAT file depends on the program that created it.
FLAC
FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec, and is a popular open-source audio format that uses lossless compression to store audio data. Unlike MP3, FLAC does not sacrifice audio quality to reduce file size.
SWF
SWF stands for Small Web Format, and is a file format used to deliver vector-based multimedia content over the internet. It was developed by Adobe Systems, and is commonly used to create and deliver interactive animations, games, and other multimedia content.
How to choose the best Video player for Mac
Mac users have a wide range of video players to choose from, but not all players are created equal. To help you find the best video player for your Mac, consider the following key criteria.
Know what Media formats you plan to use on Mac
It’s important to consider the types of videos you typically watch and the file formats they come in.
A good video players for Mac will be able to handle multiple formats, especially multimedia containers like AVI & MKV that are not supported by the default Mac video player, quicktime.
Related: How to make VLC the Default Player on Mac and Windows
Formats a good Mac Video Player should be able to run:
Consider if you need a media player that has 4k video playback
If you’re a fan of Ultra HD videos, it’s important to find a media player that supports 4K playback. This will ensure you can enjoy your videos in the highest quality possible.
Find out whether your Macbook uses a M1 chip or is Intel based
It’s important to consider your Mac’s processor when choosing a video player. Some video players may not be compatible with Apple Silicon Macs, so be sure to check before making a decision.
Decide if you prefer a simple user interface or need to create and manage playlists
The media player you choose should have a user-friendly design, with a simple and intuitive interface. Some users may also require additional features like the ability to create and manage playlists. Look for a video player or video app that offers the features you need, without overwhelming you with too many options.
The best video player for Mac should be able to handle multiple video formats, be compatible with Apple Silicon Macs, have a user-friendly design, and support 4K playback. Choose a video player that meets your specific needs, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your videos in the best possible quality.
How we rated, tested and choose the Top Mac Video players in this list
When searching for the best Mac video players, we took a comprehensive approach, evaluating a variety of factors to determine which players were the most capable and user-friendly.
We considered the number of video and audio formats the player was capable of handling – this is what many MacBook Pro and Air users looking to play downloaded movies or shows on want to know about. We gave higher ratings to players that could handle a wider range of formats, including popular ones like MKV and MP4, as well as those not supported by the default Mac video player.
Next, we looked at 4K playback capabilities, as this feature is becoming increasingly important for users who enjoy high-quality video content. We rated players higher if they were able to play 4K videos smoothly and without error.
Related: 5 Best Micro SD Cards for 4K video recording
Performance was also a key factor in our evaluations. We tested each player for stability, checking to see if it could run smoothly and play video at 1.5x and 2x speeds or faster. We also looked at the player’s ability to adjust contrast, brightness, and other features, as these capabilities can enhance the viewing experience.
Finally, we considered the user-interface and overall user experience, giving higher ratings to players with simple and intuitive interfaces. This included the ability to create and manage playlists, as well as the absence of annoying pop-ups, ads, and other interruptions.
By considering these factors, we were able to determine which Mac video players are the best and recommend them to our audience with confidence.
Is there any way to open a video format that Mac does not support?
If the QuickTime player doesn’t support the video format you’re looking to open, then don’t worry – there are other options!
You can look into using a default player, like iMovie, which supports more video file formats than QuickTime, including Apple Animation Codec, Apple Intermediate Codec, and Apple ProRes. Additionally, it supports audio file formats such as AAC, AIFF, MP3 and more.
There also VLC Mediaplayer and many others we’ve reviewed in this post for you to explore.
The good news is that there are also ways to open unsupported video formats on Mac. Using QuickTime Player (version 10.0 or later), you can actually convert these incompatible media files into H.264 or HEVC from macOS Mojave or earlier.
Related: How to Download GoPro Videos to Mac (6 Ways to transfer)
From macOS Catalina or later, you can use either the Apple Compressor or Final Cut Pro to transcode them into a compatible format like H.264, HEVC or Apple ProRes for playback on your system.
How to play MKV files on mac
If you’re looking for the best way to play MKV files on your Mac, then look no further than VLC Media Player.
This open-source player is considered one of the best MKV Players for Mac users and can do a great job of playing your movies and videos. If you’d like to explore other options,MPlayerX, Elmedia Player, 5K Player, IINA, and MPV Mediaplayer are all great options for viewing MKV files on macOS.
So whether you’re watching films or watching downloaded videos, make sure you have a good quality media player so that you can enjoy the highest peak performance from your favorite films, online course videos and shows!
FAQ:
What video files play on Macbook pro
Mac OS is able to open and play various audio and video file formats such as QuickTime movie files (.mov), most MPEG files (.mp4, .m4v, .m4a, .mp3, .mpg), and sometimes – AVI and WAV files by using the QuickTime player.
However, the QuickTime player doesn’t support all video formats. Thus, macOS users who need to open other types of video files will have to convert them into compatible file formats first or use a good video player for Mac, like VLC.
What is Hardware acceleration for Video Playback?
Simply put, Hardware Acceleration is simply the use of external hardware for support.
It is beneficial to use hardware acceleration when your existing hardware is not capable of performing the task or is too weak to handle it.
Hardware acceleration is a concept used to help speed up certain activities and tasks by allowing the Central Processing Unit (CPU) to share workload with the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).
This type of process results in better overall performance, making common tasks such as video more efficient.
For example, converts may benefits from hardware acceleration by enabling faster video conversion times.
It’s important to note that using this type of acceleration may cause certain applications to freeze if overused or misconfigured on MacBooks and laptops.
What is FFmpeg for Video playback?
FFMPEG is a command-line tool used for processing video and audio files. It is widely used for format transcoding, basic editing (trimming & concatenation), video scaling, and video post-production effects.
It is essentially a open-source software library that allows users to encode and decode multimedia files such as audio and video.
It also supports hardware acceleration, which means it can take advantage of the specialized hardware in your computer to speed up the encoding or decoding process.
FFmpeg is part of the workflow of many softwares and its libraries are a core part of media players, including VLC, and even Youtube.
Are HDR and 4K the same thing?
If you’re considering a video player, you’ll want to understand that 4K and UHD are synonymous in terms of display resolution, while HDR refers to the creation of an image’s brightness and color by a device.
When selecting a display, it is important to differentiate between these two factors as they are separate decisions.
What is Mx Player Mac and why is it so unique?
MX Player for Mac
MX Player is more of an “all-in-one” streaming player rather than a simple video player. It allows for premium content across multiple languages. With its smooth video playback experience and gesture controls, it’s easy to find something to watch or listen to that suits your interests.
Overall MX Player is a comprehensive streaming app that caters to people from different language backgrounds offering an immersive experience no matter what type of video you’re looking for.
Bottom Line
VLC is the best video player for Mac, because its both free and allows fro the most features with a simple, easy to navigate, intuitive user interface. The best media players for Mac should offer features such as HDR/4K formats, hardware acceleration and FFMpeg.
VLC also runs MKV, AVI and 4K Video formats on Mac, which is needed for many downloaded movies and shows.
There are a variety of video players for Mac to choose from, ranging from default players (Quicktime) and open source, to App Store options. This includes App Store apps, open source software, and other video players.
Popular choices include VLC Media Player, MPV Media Player and IINA which provides high quality playback options.
