Totem

Free plan Linux

What Totem is

Totem is a free Linux video player for the GNOME desktop, built on GStreamer. It plays movies and Internet streams, along with local videos, DVDs, VCDs, and local network shares using UPnP/DLNA. During playback, viewers can change speed and volume, resize the video, adjust its aspect ratio, and navigate through content. Language selection and manual subtitle selection are available, with a subtitle downloader listed as an additional feature. Totem can capture a video screenshot or create a screenshot gallery from a movie. Audio and video output settings and plugins can be configured. Flathub also lists video highlights from websites and a yt-dl totem-pl-parser add-on. Available formats depend on installed GStreamer plugins, and Audio CDs are unsupported. The desktop-only app is distributed as a Flatpak. The project lists GPL-3.0 and identifies the Flathub version as supported.

Who it suits

It suits Linux users on the GNOME desktop who want local, disc, network, or streamed video playback. Viewers needing Audio CD support should look elsewhere.

What it does well

Free Linux desktop player
Plays DVDs and VCDs
UPnP/DLNA network shares supported
Adjustable playback speed and aspect ratio
Screenshot galleries available

What to know first

Audio CDs are unsupported
Format support depends on GStreamer plugins
Desktop-only distribution
Flathub labels it Medium Risk

Verdict

Totem covers common movie, disc, network, and streaming sources with subtitle and screenshot tools. Its Linux and GNOME focus, plugin-dependent formats, and unsupported Audio CDs define the main boundaries.

Facts from Totem's own pages

Additional features: Flathub lists a subtitle downloader, playback speed adjustment, screenshot galleries, and DVD recording. · flathub.org, 11 Oct 2026
Add-on: Flathub lists a yt-dl totem-pl-parser plugin add-on. · flathub.org, 11 Oct 2026
Disc playback: Totem can play media from DVDs and VCDs. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Display: Users can change video size and aspect ratio. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Distribution: Flathub lists Videos as a desktop-only app and offers it as a Flatpak download. · flathub.org, 11 Oct 2026
File format limit: GNOME’s help says supported file formats depend on GStreamer plugins. · teams.pages.gitlab.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Flathub risk rating: Flathub labels the app “Medium Risk.” · flathub.org, 11 Oct 2026
Intended users: Totem is a movie player for the GNOME desktop based on GStreamer. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Languages and subtitles: Users can change a movie’s language and manually select subtitles. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
License: The repository lists the GPL-3.0 license. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Local and network video: Flathub describes Videos as supporting local videos, DVDs, local network video shares using UPnP/DLNA, and video highlights from websites. · flathub.org, 11 Oct 2026
Media sources: The GNOME project repository describes Totem as a movie player for the GNOME desktop based on GStreamer. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Playback controls: Totem supports changing playback speed and volume, adjusting video size and aspect ratio, and navigating during playback. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Preferences and plugins: Users can configure audio and video output and plugins. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Totem is a video player for watching movies and streaming media from the Internet. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Screenshots: Totem can take a screenshot from a video and create a screenshot gallery from a movie. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Subtitles and languages: Users can select a movie language and manually select subtitles. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The project repository says the only supported version is the one shipped on Flathub and directs users to test that version before filing bugs. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Supported formats: Available file formats depend on GStreamer plugins. · teams.pages.gitlab.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026
Unsupported media: GNOME’s help states that Audio CDs are not supported. · help.gnome.org, 11 Oct 2026

Where Totem stands on Freedom251

Video Player Software#36 of 42