Best Video Player Software in 2026
Updated
In short: mpv is ranked #1 of 42 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of 5KPlayer and Infuse. The best-ranked option with a free plan is 5KPlayer. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Infuse at $1.42/mo.
For everyday video playback, the right fit can depend on your files, devices, and preferred controls. Compare codec support, maximum resolution, and hardware acceleration alongside supported platforms and subtitle formats. Playback speed control may suit different viewing habits, and a portable version can be useful for varied setups. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing as well. mpv, 5KPlayer, and Infuse are among the options shown. Use these criteria to weigh playback compatibility and controls against the video you watch and the devices you use.
42 video player software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
8 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | mpvWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 2 | 5KPlayerWindows · Mac · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 3 | InfuseMac · iPhone | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | $1.42/mo | 6.5 | |
| 4 | MPlayerWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 5 | reEmbedWeb · Windows · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | SMPlayerWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 7 | DivX PlayerWindows · Mac | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 8 | NOVA Video PlayerAndroid | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 9 | Bitmovin PlayerWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone · API | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.7 |
| 10 | VLC media playerWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.7 |
| 11 | KMPlayerWindows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 12 | GOM PlayerWindows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | $22/mo | 5.5 |
| 13 | KodiWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 14 | QMPlay2Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 15 | ALLPlayerWindows · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 16 | Cisdem Video PlayerWindows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 17 | FFplayWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 18 | FlowplayerWeb · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 19 | HarunaWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 20 | MediaElement.jsWeb · Android · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 21 | Movist ProMac | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | $17.99/mo | 5.3 |
| 22 | Video Hub AppWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 23 | ClapperWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 24 | Elmedia PlayerMac | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 25 | IINAMac · Extension | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which video player software is ranked first on Freedom251?
mpv is ranked #1 of 42 with a score of 6.7. 5KPlayer is second and Infuse third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Infuse has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1.42/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.