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Best Media Player Software in 2026

Choosing media player software starts with the files and devices you want to use. Compared on format support, 4K playback, hardware acceleration, subtitle support, and network playback, these entries also show supported platforms and license models. mpv, SMPlayer, and MPlayer are among the options to compare against your playback needs. Check whether the formats and subtitles you rely on are covered, and whether network playback matters for your setup. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing provide further details to weigh.

76 apps
Research read 28 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

VLC media player
by VLC media player
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

VLC covers a wide range of playback sources and formats across desktop and mobile systems. Its listed free plan has no spyware, ads or tracking, with no other limits stated.

7.7 Free plan Visit site
2

mpv

Free plan AndroidAPILinux+2

mpv offers broad media support, video controls and extension options in a command-line-focused player. Its limited GUI and release support policy are important considerations.

7.7 Free plan Visit site
3

KMPlayer
by KMPlayer
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

KMPlayer combines broad format support with subtitle and playback controls across desktop and mobile.

7.7 Free plan · 3-day trial Visit site
4

MediaPortal
by MediaPortal
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb+1

MediaPortal combines live TV, media-library playback, and radio in software for Windows PCs. Choose between MP1, which has more plugins, and MP2, which the maker also describes as stable and usable.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
5

foobar2000

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

Choose foobar2000 if you want a free player with network playback and support for a wide variety of audio files, containers, discs, and radio. Linux users need Wine to use it.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
6

GOM Player
by GOM Player
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

GOM Player combines broad format support with subtitles and network playback. Its free plan is available, while the paid permanent license is listed for one PC at $22 a month.

7.6 Free plan · paid from $22 Visit site
7

SMPlayer

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

SMPlayer combines broad playback support with controls for subtitles, speed, and audio or video adjustments.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
8

MPlayer

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

MPlayer offers wide format, streaming, and subtitle support at no cost. Its latest listed release and limited GUI development are important considerations before installation.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
9

5KPlayer
by 5KPlayer
Free plan iPhoneMacWindows

5KPlayer combines broad media playback support with downloading, radio, and wireless sharing features at no subscription cost.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
10

RealPlayer
by RealPlayer
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1

Pick RealPlayer if you want playback and download support across desktop and mobile platforms, with broad format coverage.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
11

Music Player Daemon

Free plan AndroidAPILinux+3

Choose MPD if you want a free, configurable music server that can be controlled by a separate network client and work with remote storage.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
12

Emby

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Emby combines broad device coverage with network playback, subtitles, hardware acceleration, 4K, and many listed formats.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
13

Volumio
by Volumio
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

Volumio offers core network playback for free, with Premium adding multi-device features, integrations and inputs.

7.4 Free plan · 14-day trial Visit site
14

Infuse

Free plan iPhoneMac

Infuse combines broad format support with network, cloud, and media-server playback across Apple platforms.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $1.99/mo · 7-day trial Visit site
15

DivX Player
by DivX Player
Free plan MacWindows

7.3 Free plan Visit site
16

BS.Player
by BS.Player
Free plan AndroidWindows

BS.Player offers a free option and lists broad video and audio format support.

7.3 Free plan · paid from €19.90 Visit site
17

Haruna

Free plan LinuxWindows

Haruna provides configurable local and online video playback, playlist options and subtitle support at no cost.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
18

QMPlay2

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

QMPlay2 covers common FFmpeg media alongside several additional audio sources, with subtitles and hardware acceleration.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
19

AIMP
by AIMP
Free plan AndroidLinuxWindows

AIMP covers several desktop and mobile platforms and supports a broad range of formats. Its listed limitations are the lack of subtitle support and 4K playback.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
20

VOX Music Player
by VOX Music Player
Free plan iPhoneMacWindows

VOX combines broad format support with high-resolution Mac playback and cross-device cloud features.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
21

netjukebox

Free plan iPhoneLinuxMac+3

netjukebox offers several playback modes, streaming fallback, and file transcoding without a listed charge.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
22

PlayerXtreme

Free plan AndroidiPhone

PlayerXtreme combines broad format coverage, hardware-accelerated 4K playback, network streaming, and subtitle tools.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
23

Audacious

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Choose Audacious if you want a free desktop audio player with network playback and support for a broad range of formats. Its listed platform choices are Linux, BSD derivatives, macOS, and Windows.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
24

doubleTwist
by doubleTwist
Free plan AndroidMacWindows

Choose doubleTwist if you want music playback and podcast management across Android, macOS, or Windows, with a free plan for basic use.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
25

Exaile
by Exaile
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Exaile provides broad desktop music playback and management features with extensive plugin support at no cost. Installation and playback depend on each platform’s packages and required components.

7.2 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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