SMPlayer

SMPlayer is a desktop media player for people with varied audio and video libraries who want playback controls beyond the basics. Its broad format support and subtitle tools make it a capable free option; it is not a fit for readers seeking a mobile player.

Overview

Built-in codecs let SMPlayer play most audio and video formats without separate codec downloads. It also supports network playback, hardware acceleration and 4K playback, covering a wide range of local and online viewing. Resume playback is especially useful for longer files: the player remembers the position along with settings such as audio track, subtitles and volume.

SMPlayer is a graphical interface for MPlayer and can also use mpv as its playback engine. It plays YouTube videos, offers an optional plugin for searching them, and can send local videos and online streams to Chromecast. Those additions stretch it beyond a local-file player, though its platform reach remains desktop-focused.

Key features

Formats and playback controls

Supported formats include AVI, ASF/WMV/WMA, QT/MOV/MP4, RealAudio/RealVideo, Ogg/OGM, Matroska, MPEG-1/2, H.264, MPEG-4, MP3, AAC, AC3 and DTS, among others. Audio and video filters, adjustable playback speed, audio and subtitle delay controls, and a video equalizer offer practical ways to address timing and picture or sound preferences. That flexibility suits people with mixed media libraries; viewers who only need straightforward playback may find the extra controls unnecessary.

Subtitles and streaming

Subtitle support includes searching for and downloading subtitles from OpenSubtitles, and playback can retain the selected subtitle and audio track when resumed. YouTube playback and Chromecast sending add useful routes for online video and larger-screen viewing. The optional YouTube search plugin is an extra rather than a core requirement, so users who mainly browse and stream through a single integrated service may prefer a different kind of player.

Pricing

SMPlayer costs nothing. The free plan is the player itself, open source under the GPL, with no trial period or paid tier to weigh against its core playback features. That makes it a straightforward choice for anyone who wants capable desktop playback without a software fee.

Platforms

SMPlayer has versions for Windows, Linux and macOS, with source code also offered. The website says it is available in more than 30 languages. It does not suit someone who needs an Android or iOS player; desktop platform coverage is its boundary.

Who it's for

SMPlayer is best for desktop users who keep varied formats, need subtitle searching or timing adjustments, or value remembering playback settings across sessions. Its filters, equalizer and speed controls also suit viewers who want to tune playback rather than accept default settings. People looking for a simple mobile-first library or a highly integrated streaming service should consider another option.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad format support and built-in codecs reduce the need to source separate codecs for common media.
• Pro: Subtitle downloads, timing adjustments and playback resume make it practical for files with different language or synchronization needs.
• Pro: Network playback, YouTube support and Chromecast sending expand use beyond files stored locally.
• Con: Windows, Linux and macOS are the only supported platforms, so mobile users need another player.
• Con: The range of playback adjustments is more than some viewers need for basic video watching.

Alternatives

mpv is a free, open-source option with wide media-format, codec and subtitle support; choose it if a command-line media player is a better fit than SMPlayer's graphical interface.

MPlayer is another free option under GNU General Public License version 2, for readers comparing desktop media players.

Infuse suits readers using iOS or macOS who want additional video formats and high-resolution Dolby and DTS-HD audio in its Pro plan, priced at $1.99 a month with a free 7-day trial.

5KPlayer is a free player for iOS, macOS and Windows, making it an option for readers who need iOS coverage.

DivX Player offers a free plan with playback up to 4K, playlist and media-library features, and casting to DLNA-compatible devices; consider it if those library features or DLNA casting matter to you.

RealPlayer has a free plan with 720p downloads, which may suit readers focused on downloading video.

BS.Player offers a free plan for Android and Windows, a fit for readers who want mobile as well as desktop coverage.

VLC media player is another free option available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.

Browse more Media Player Software or Video Player Software.

Verdict

Choose SMPlayer if you want a free desktop player with wide format support, subtitle tools and useful control over playback speed, timing and picture or sound. Its main reason to look elsewhere is equally clear: anyone who needs Android or iOS coverage will need a player with mobile versions.