As a Mac user, you know how important it is to have the right multimedia player. It would be best if you had something that can support all types of audio and video formats, with plenty of options for customizing your experience. Luckily, there’s no shortage of great media players available for Mac users these days — but which ones will serve you best?
Whether you’re looking to blast tunes off YouTube or organize your family movie night, I’ve got an excellent overview of the 10 best media players for Mac right here! So buckle up, because this is sure to be an informative journey into the world of digital entertainment.
How to Choose the Right Media Player for Your Mac?
Before diving into the 10 Best Media Players for Mac, let’s talk about choosing the right one for you.
First, ask yourself what type of audio or video formats you’re looking to watch or listen to. If your primary interest is streaming music from popular services like Apple Music, then a media player with support for DRM-protected content may be just what you need.
But if you’re looking to play movies and TV shows with multilingual subtitles, then look no further than players that can read all kinds of files (like VLC). Also, consider whether you want a free or paid media player.
Free players tend to have more basic features but are often updated on a regular basis — and can be great for casual users. Paid players, on the other hand, often come with advanced features and more robust support options — so they’re typically a better choice if you want to get serious about media playback.
And finally, check out the user interface of each player you consider. You want something that’s intuitive and easy to use, with plenty of customization options to make sure your experience is tailored to your preferences.
10 Best Media Players for Mac
Now, I am going to round off the 10 best media players for you! Please note that the media players are not in any set order. All of these media players provide value in different aspects, such as better quality, multi-lingual subtitles, user-friendly interface, etc.
Here we go!
1 – Elmedia Player (Mac Exclusive Media Player)
Elmedia Player is a free media player for Mac that can play almost any type of audio and video file. This media player also supports streaming content from popular streaming services such as YouTube and Netflix, making it one of the most versatile media players around. Best of all, you don’t need to pay anything to use it—it’s totally free!
Pros
- Supports almost every audio and video format
- Free to download; Ability to stream from various services
- User-friendly interface
- Can function with Apple TV
- With settings, you can personalize your experience to fit all of your needs
- Easily sync subtitles and audio with this helpful tool.
Cons
- No support for DRM-protected content
- Not all features are available in the free version
Supported Formats by Elmedia
A few of the many supported formats by Elmedia are:
- Audio: MP3, AAC, AIFF, WAV, M4A, OGG
- Video: MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV.
Compatibility
Elmedia Player is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.9.0 or later.
2 – MPlayerX (Open-Source Media Player)
MPlayerX is an open-source media player for Mac users that supports virtually every audio and video format. MPlayerX is a powerful, easy-to-use media player that can play almost any format you throw at it.
Its simple, intuitive design allows users to easily control playback with just a pinch, tap, or swipe – making for the most effortless video experience possible! With MPlayerX, you don’t need to remember any complicated keyboard shortcuts–simply use your gestures and it will do the rest for you!
Pros
- Ability to play almost any type of audio and video file
- Free to download; Lots of customization options
- Offers a smart control for multifunctioning
- User-friendly interface;
- Can be used with Apple TV and DLNA devices
- Supports multi-lingual subtitles
- Ability to take screenshots during playback.
Cons
- No support for DRM-protected content
- There is not any proper playlist option
- Requires high usage of the CPU
- Injects intrusive pop-up ads or advertising banners, potentially introducing a virus to your system.
Supported Formats by MPlayerX
A few of the many supported formats by MPlayerX are:
- Audio: AAC, AIFF, MP3, WAV, OGG, M4A
- Video: MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV.
Compatibility
MPlayerX is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.7 or later.
3 – Quick Time Media Player (Media Player Developed By Apple)
QuickTime, developed by Apple, is a widely-used multimedia player that offers seamless playback for pictures, videos, audio, and panoramic images. Not only does it have an attractive interface designed to be easy on the eyes but also has been tailored specifically for Mac users making QuickTime a clear favorite amongst them.
If you have a knack for mastering intricate product features, this is the perfect media player for you. Not only does it offer basic video editing and live-streaming capabilities, but many more! With a user-friendly interface and comprehensive capabilities, I can confidently recommend this application to you.
Pros
- Designed and developed by Apple itself
- You can record your screen using Quicktime.
- User-friendly interface; Ability to play various audio, video, picture, and panoramic formats
- Can be used with Apple TV and DLNA devices
- Offers cutting-edge H.264 video compression technology to ensure that your HD videos are delivered with perfect quality and require minimal storage space.
- Offers basic video editing capabilities such as trimming the video clips
- Live streaming capability is also offered.
Cons
- No support for DRM-protected content
- Takes a lot of time to launch
- This media player is quite powerful, so it requires a substantial amount of system resources.
- Some media formats are not supported.
Supported Formats By QuickTime Media Player
- Audio: AAC, MP3, AIFF
- Video: MOV, MPEG4
Compatibility
QuickTime Media Player is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.6 or later.
4 – Cisdem Video Player (Highly Recommended – 100% Free Media Player With Top-Notch Features)
Cisdem Video Player is an all-in-one media player that can play virtually any audio, video, and panoramic format. It has a simple user interface with a plethora of features to keep you entertained. Users get to enjoy high-definition quality videos with its advanced codec support.
Cisdem Video Player is capable of playing 4K, 5K, and even 8K UHD videos without compromising on the quality. It also offers users the ability to customize their video playback with a range of options like brightness, contrast, and volume control. You can also create playlists and share them with your friends or family.
Pros
- Offers amazing hardware acceleration technology.
- Supports a wide range of audio, video, and panoramic formats
- Gives users the ability to customize their video playback with options such as brightness, contrast, volume control
- Offers an array of advanced codec support for HD-quality videos
- Compatible with AirPlay streaming devices
- Can be used with Apple TV and DLNA devices
- Supports multi-lingual subtitles
Cons
- You won’t experience optimal performance when running it on a dual-core laptop.
- The interface can be confusing for some users
- No playlist option is available.
Supported Formats By Cisdem Video Player
- Audio: AAC, MP3, AIFF, WAV, OGG, M4A
- Video: MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV
Compatibility
Cisdem Video Player is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.10 or later.
Download Cisdem Video Player for your Mac now!
5 – VLC (VideoLan Client) Media Player (One Of The Oldest In The Game)
The VLC Media Player, an open-source and cross-compatible program with a clean interface, is capable of streaming AirPlay, DivX, and MPEG content. Moreover, it has been enhanced to support Mac M1 as of January 2021.
Unlock the vast potential of your Mac with this free, cutting-edge video player! Enjoy DVDs, CDs, VCDs & multiple types of videos – such as network streaming protocols and more. And if you’re in the mood for a marathon viewing session? No worries, just create playlists to watch several clips back-to-back without having to start over each time!
Not only can you open Zip media files without unpacking them with VLC, but you have the ability to adjust playback controls and audio volume up to 200%, too! There are also some awesome VLC alternatives out there that you might fall in love with.
Pros
- Free media player
- It seamlessly supports external subtitles and Closed Captions, making it easier than ever to access your favorite videos with no hassle.
- Supports a wide range of audio, video, and panoramic formats
- Ability to play live-streaming content
- Can be used with Apple TV and DLNA devices
Cons
- With fewer library options and limited music player features, it falls short of expectations.
- No support for DRM-protected content
- There is very limited space for personalization
- Requires manual configuration for some functionality
Supported Formats By VLC Media Player
- Audio: MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC
- Video: AVI, MKV, WMV, MOV
Compatibility
VLC Media Player is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.7.5 or later.
6 – DivX Player (High-Quality Video Viewing Without Compromising Performance)
If you’re looking for the ultimate in video experiences, DivX is your answer. This incredible player will transform the way you cast and watch videos – it’s simply amazing! With its compatibility with both Macs and Windows PCs, there really isn’t any better choice available to users today.
With three components, you’re sure to experience the best video quality and sound. Not only can it convert videos, but also cast media from your computer or laptop directly to your Television set with Div X Media Servers!
Pros
- One of the few players that supports DivX, AVI, MKV, and MP4 formats, up to 4k video quality.
- High-definition, high-quality video playback
- Experience audio in its purest form with AC3 and DTS support, access your files from cloud storage without interruption by ads, use our advanced converter features and so much more!
- With ease, you can access videos from both Google Drive and Dropbox.
- It offers improved sound quality of audio.
- Supports advanced audio and video codecs for excellent streaming capabilities.
- Can be used with Apple TV and DLNA devices
Cons
- Many features such as the Search feature are very slow
- Limited features in the free version.
- Can be a Buggy performance on some Macs
- No playlist option is available.
Supported Formats By DivX Player
- Audio: AAC, MP3, AIFF, WAV, OGG, M4A
- Video: MKV, AVI, MP4
Compatibility
DivX Player is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.7 or later.
Download DivX Player now to enjoy the highest quality media viewing experience.
7 – 5K Media Player (Video Playback with Multi-Platform Performance)
The 5K Media Player is your one-stop shop for HD video playback and streaming. This multi-platform media player offers high-quality, reliable performance thanks to its MPlayer engine. Best of all, you can play almost any type of audio or video file on your Mac, PC, or even on iOS devices.
This video player is designed to meet the needs of modern audio and video enthusiasts who need something a bit more powerful than your average media player. With features like 4K playback, live streaming support, custom skins and themes, and unlimited file format support – it’s hard not to see why so many people have turned to this media player.
The 5K player is the most impressive video platform you’ll ever encounter. Not to mention that it’s a powerful UHD video player, music streamer, Airplay device, DLNA-enabled media steamer, and online downloader all in one! I recommend it highly because of its exceptional capabilities and sturdiness. It is a blend of the DNLA controller, DNLA renderer, and DNLA server – three powerful features in one marvelous package!
Pros
- Multi-platform support for Mac and PC users
- This platform offers a comprehensive music video downloader and YouTube downloader, allowing users to quickly access their favorite videos with ease!
- 4K video playback with 10-bit color accuracy and HDR10 support
- Supports a wide range of audio, video, and panoramic formats
- Unlimited file format support (including popular AVI, MPG, MP4, and MOV formats)
- Ability to play live-streaming content
- Can be used with Apple TV and DLNA devices
Cons
- No support for DRM-protected content
- The default interface of this software includes promotional materials for downloading additional applications.
- For those new to the platform, the more advanced features may seem perplexing.
- There is very limited space for personalization
- High-definition and extended videos may cause this media player to become stuck when playing.
- Requires manual configuration for some functionality
Supported Formats By 5K Media Player
- Audio: AAC, MP3, AIFF, WAV, OGG
- Video: MKV, AVI, MP4
Compatibility
5K Media Player is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.7 or later.
8 – Movist Media Player
Movist is an excellent media player for Mac that utilizes both QuickTime and FFmpeg codecs, allowing you to watch videos in crystal clear clarity. Moreover, its user-friendly interface makes it incredibly simple to use.
With its ability to encode and decode a wide variety of formats, add subtitles, and make general or advanced settings for an improved video playback experience, this program is the ultimate solution for your needs. Make the most out of your videos with an easy-to-use interface that makes streaming simple!
Movist now has paid versions too now. With the pro version, users enjoy exclusive access to a variety of additional features – including watching Internet videos directly. To download and use Movist’s free video player for Mac, look no further than version 0.6.8 or earlier iterations of this popular software!
Pros
- Supports a wide variety of formats, including MKV (H.264/AAC), MPEG4 (H.264/AAC), and WMV
- Uses both QuickTime and FFmpeg codecs for improved video playback experience
- A simple user interface makes streaming simple
- Allows you to make several customizations
- Can directly play Internet videos
Cons
- Lacks the ability to record or stream live content
- No support for DRM-protected content
- The free version adds a permanent watermark in the bottom right corner of the video
Supported Formats By Movist Media Player
- Audio: MP3, AAC, WAV, AIFF, OGG
- Video: MOV, MP4, AVI, MKV
Compatibility
Movist Media Player is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.7 or later.
9 – Kodi Media Player (Open Source Theatre Experience Media Player)
Kodi is an incredible media player for Mac that offers a comprehensive set of features and tools for users. With this program, you can access over 3500 channels, including subscription-based ones like Netflix, Hulu, etc., without any hassle. Best of all, it’s completely free!
In addition to streaming content from multiple sources, Kodi also supports local playback of video and audio files. Its customizable user interface makes finding your desired content quite simple. It even provides various plugins to extend the functionality – expanding its already extensive list of capabilities.
Moreover, it supports a wide range of formats such as AVI, MKV, MP4/MOV/XVID/MPEG 2/DIVX/H.264 and can also be used to stream content from your home network via UPnP, DLNA, or NFS shares.
Pros
- Offers access to over 3500 channels
- Streams content from multiple sources
- Supports local playback of media files
- Can be extended with various plugins
- Very lightweight; does not consume many resources
Cons
- The user interface is a bit complex and may take some time to get used to.
- UPnP streaming is quite slow compared to other media players on the list.
Supported Formats By Kodi Media Player
- Audio: MP3, AAC, WAV, OGG, FLAC
- Video: AVI, MKV, MP4/MOV/XVID/MPEG 2/DIVX/H.264
Compatibility
Kodi Media Player is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.7 or later.
10 – Plex Media Player (Offers One Of The Best Media Libraries)
Plex is a renowned media library, offering over 50000 sources of online entertainment to its users – from movies and shows to music and live TV. Its search function makes it easy for viewers to find the exact content they’re looking for; be it comedies, thrillers, dramas, or documentaries. With Plex’s streamlined navigation system and expansive selection of titles on offer, there’s something here sure to delight everyone!
Moreover, Plex is an excellent video player for local device usage. Its user-friendly and straightforward interface makes comprehending the tool a breeze; when you open it on your computer, all functions are visible at once. With this convenient feature, users can easily access their favorite videos or movies in no time.
On the main interface, you’ll find a section for adding local sources. It will guide you through downloading Plex Media Server so that all of your files on your computer can be scanned and added to Plex in no time!
Pros
- Comprehensive library with over 50000 sources of entertainment
- User-friendly interface which makes navigation convenient
- The search feature helps viewers find their desired content quickly
- Can easily add local sources to Plex
Cons
- Cannot play DRM-protected content
- Does not offer live streaming services.
Supported Formats By Plex Media Player
- Audio: MP3, AAC, WAV, OGG, FLAC
- Video: AVI, MKV, MP4/MOV/XVID/MPEG 2/DIVX/H.264
Compatibility
Plex Media Player is compatible with Macs running OS X 10.10 or later.
That’s All!
The 10 Best Media Players for Mac are a great choice for easy and enjoyable streaming of content. All of them have unique features and capabilities, so it’s up to you to decide which one suits your needs best.
With an extensive range of supported formats, impressive library selection, and user-friendly interfaces, these media players make it effortless to find your favorite movies or shows with just a few clicks. So what are you waiting for? Pick the one that appeals most to you and get started!
