Side by side
Lumen Player vs Next Player
Both stand on video player software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Paid LinuxMacWindows
Lumen Player combines broad file playback with local subtitle generation, upscaling, voice isolation, and network integrations. Its one-time pricing and platform coverage suit desktop media libraries, but DRM streaming is outside its scope.
Visit Lumen Player Free plan Android
Choose Next Player if you want a free Android or Android TV player with broad format support, subtitle options, and network playback. Its project notes that development is ongoing and bugs may occur, so users seeking a mature product may prefer another option.
Visit Next PlayerThe facts
| Lumen Player | Next Player | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Android |
| Lowest paid plan | Personal: $19, paid once | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | lumenplayer.net | github.com |
| On video player software | #37 of 42 | #33 of 42 |
Lumen Player: what it does well
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Whisper subtitles support 99 languages locally
- Real-time upscaling reaches four-times resolution
- Connects to Plex, Jellyfin, DLNA, SMB, and NFS
- Hardware acceleration supports up to 4K
What to know first
- No free plan
- Does not support major DRM streaming services
- Playback syncing is included only with Pro
- Personal license covers one device
Next Player: what it does well
- Free and open source under GNU GPL v3.0, with no ads.
- Supports AV1 video and FLAC audio, among many listed formats.
- Plays SRT, SSA, ASS, TTML, VTT, and DVB subtitles.
- Includes speed control, picture-in-picture, and background playback.
- Supports SMB, FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and URL playback.
What to know first
- Available on Android and Android TV only.
- Format support can depend partly on the Android device.
- The project says it is still in development and may have bugs.
Alternatives to Lumen Player Alternatives to Next Player The whole list