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VLC Media Player Alternatives for Mac OS X

Looking for VLC Media Player alternatives? We've curated 23 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need Mac OS X options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Kodi

Kodi

Open Source

Kodi is a powerful, free, and open-source media player software designed to transform your device into a comprehensive home theater PC. It provides a stunning interface optimized for large screens, allowing you to manage and play virtually all popular types of digital media.

Key Features

  • Excellent media organization and library management.
  • Supports a vast range of media formats.
  • Highly customizable through skins and add-ons.

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent media organization and library management. compared to VLC Media Player
KMPlayer

KMPlayer

Free

KMPlayer, also known as K-Multimedia Player, is a versatile media player for Windows, Android, and iOS. It supports a vast array of audio and video formats, offering a comprehensive playback experience with advanced features and customization options.

Key Features

  • Plays a very wide range of media formats out-of-the-box.
  • Excellent support for high-resolution and 3D video playback.
  • Highly customizable interface and playback settings.

vs VLC Media Player

Plays a very wide range of media formats out-of-the-box. compared to VLC Media Player
MPlayer

MPlayer

Open Source

MPlayer is a highly versatile, free, and open-source multimedia player renowned for its extensive codec support and powerful command-line interface. It can handle a wide array of media formats with minimal system resources.

Key Features

  • Exceptional codec support out-of-the-box.
  • Highly efficient and lightweight on system resources.
  • Powerful and flexible command-line interface for advanced control.

vs VLC Media Player

Exceptional codec support out-of-the-box. compared to VLC Media Player
Banshee

Banshee

Open Source

Banshee was a versatile media player and management application that supported various audio and video formats, podcasts, and seamless library organization. It included features like smart playlists, integrated media conversion, and device synchronization.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive music and video playback capabilities.
  • Effective media library organization features.
  • Integrated podcast player is a convenient addition.

vs VLC Media Player

Comprehensive music and video playback capabilities. compared to VLC Media Player
Miro

Miro

Open Source

Miro was a comprehensive, open-source media player and internet TV application. It allowed users to discover, download, and play videos and music from various online sources, including podcasts, video feeds, and BitTorrent. It offered features like built-in torrenting, media conversion, and integration with Android devices.

Key Features

  • Integrated BitTorrent client for direct downloads.
  • Combines internet TV, podcasts, and local media.
  • Automatic downloading of new episodes and feeds.

vs VLC Media Player

Integrated BitTorrent client for direct downloads. compared to VLC Media Player
DeaDBeeF

DeaDBeeF

Open Source

DeaDBeeF is a lightweight and highly customizable audio player for Linux and other Unix-like systems. It supports a wide range of audio formats and offers advanced features like audio conversion, plugin extensibility, and comprehensive playlist management, making it a powerful choice for audiophiles and everyday users alike.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable interface and features
  • Supports a wide range of audio formats
  • Lightweight and resource-efficient

vs VLC Media Player

Highly customizable interface and features compared to VLC Media Player
mpv

mpv

Open Source

mpv is a free and open-source command-line media player derived from MPlayer and mplayer2. It boasts a minimalist user interface and powerful scripting capabilities, offering excellent video and audio playback with low resource consumption.

Key Features

  • Extremely lightweight and performant
  • Excellent video and audio quality
  • Highly customizable through configuration and scripting

vs VLC Media Player

Extremely lightweight and performant compared to VLC Media Player
QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player

Freemium

QuickTime Player is Apple's versatile multimedia framework and player, offering seamless playback of various audio, video, and image formats. Beyond simple playback, it includes basic editing, screen recording, and conversion capabilities, making it a useful tool for Mac users.

Key Features

  • Included and pre-installed on macOS
  • Extremely easy to use with a clean interface
  • Useful built-in screen and audio recording

vs VLC Media Player

Included and pre-installed on macOS compared to VLC Media Player
UMPlayer

UMPlayer

Open Source

UMPlayer is a free and open-source cross-platform media player that boasts a built-in search for YouTube and Shoutcast radio, offering a wide range of supported formats and features like automatic subtitle downloads and customizable playback options.

Key Features

  • Plays almost all audio and video formats without extra codecs.
  • Integrated search and streaming for YouTube and Shoutcast.
  • Automatic subtitle searching and downloading feature.

vs VLC Media Player

Plays almost all audio and video formats without extra codecs. compared to VLC Media Player
Quod Libet

Quod Libet

Open Source

Quod Libet is a highly extensible GTK+-based audio player for Linux, focusing on powerful music library management and flexible tagging. Written in Python and using the Mutagen library, it offers extensive customization and handles diverse audio formats seamlessly.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable interface and functionality.
  • Exceptional tagging and library management features.
  • Powerful dynamic playlist creation.

vs VLC Media Player

Highly customizable interface and functionality. compared to VLC Media Player
Vox Music Player

Vox Music Player

Freemium

Vox Music Player is a high-fidelity audio player designed for discerning music lovers. It offers extensive support for popular and lossless formats, cloud sync capabilities, advanced playback features, and integration with streaming services, all within a lightweight and elegant interface. It aims to deliver superior sound quality and manage large music libraries efficiently.

Key Features

  • Excellent support for high-resolution and lossless audio formats.
  • Integrated cloud storage (Loop) for seamless library access across devices.
  • Clean, ad-free interface focused on playback.

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent support for high-resolution and lossless audio formats. compared to VLC Media Player
aTunes

aTunes

Open Source

aTunes is a versatile, open-source audio player and music manager built on Java, offering robust features for organizing, playing, and managing various audio formats. It leverages MPlayer for playback and includes capabilities like internet radio streaming, podcast management, and integration with music services.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive set of music management features.
  • Supports a wide range of audio formats.
  • Includes CD ripping and media conversion.

vs VLC Media Player

Comprehensive set of music management features. compared to VLC Media Player
MPlayerX

MPlayerX

Open Source

MPlayerX is a versatile media player designed for macOS, offering native-like experience with extensive codec support powered by FFmpeg and MPlayer. It provides advanced features like multi-touch gestures, multi-monitor support, and comprehensive subtitle handling.

Key Features

  • Excellent compatibility with a wide range of media formats
  • Intuitive and native-feeling macOS user interface
  • Effective multi-touch gesture controls

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent compatibility with a wide range of media formats compared to VLC Media Player
Movist

Movist

Open Source

Movist is a lightweight yet powerful media player for macOS, praised for its clean interface and robust playback capabilities. It supports a wide range of formats and offers advanced customization options for an enhanced viewing experience.

Key Features

  • Excellent format compatibility
  • Clean and intuitive user interface
  • High-quality video and audio playback

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent format compatibility compared to VLC Media Player
DivX

DivX

Freemium

DivX is a comprehensive set of software tools centered around high-quality video playback, conversion, and casting. It's known for enabling efficient video compression while preserving visual fidelity, offering features like 4K support, subtitle management, and seamless streaming to devices.

Key Features

  • Excellent support for DivX and HEVC codecs
  • Supports 4K video playback and conversion
  • Includes a capable video converter with batch processing

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent support for DivX and HEVC codecs compared to VLC Media Player
Nightingale

Nightingale

Open Source

Nightingale is a highly customizable cross-platform audio player with a focus on extensibility, featuring a beautiful interface, a wide array of supported formats, and tools like media library management, podcast playback, and integrated web browsing.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable through extensions and skins.
  • Supports a wide range of audio formats.
  • Robust media library management features.

vs VLC Media Player

Highly customizable through extensions and skins. compared to VLC Media Player
RealPlayer

RealPlayer

Freemium

RealPlayer is a veteran cross-platform media player designed for managing, playing, downloading, and converting various audio and video formats. It offers features for cloud storage, media organization, photo management, and casting to devices like Chromecast and Roku, aiming to be a comprehensive media hub for users.

Key Features

  • Supports a wide variety of audio and video formats.
  • Integrated video downloading feature is very convenient.
  • Includes cloud storage and syncing capabilities.

vs VLC Media Player

Supports a wide variety of audio and video formats. compared to VLC Media Player
MPlayer OSX Extended

MPlayer OSX Extended

Open Source

MPlayer OSX Extended is a lightweight and versatile video player for macOS, built upon the robust MPlayer engine. It offers excellent format compatibility, subtitle support, and a clean interface for a focused playback experience.

Key Features

  • Excellent format compatibility for various audio and video files.
  • Lightweight and uses minimal system resources.
  • Built upon the robust MPlayer engine.

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent format compatibility for various audio and video files. compared to VLC Media Player
Elmedia Player

Elmedia Player

Freemium

Elmedia Player is a versatile and free media player for macOS, designed to handle a wide range of video and audio formats effortlessly. It boasts integrated online video downloading capabilities and seamless streaming features, making it more than just a player.

Key Features

  • Wide range of supported media formats.
  • Integrated online video downloading feature.
  • Supports AirPlay streaming.

vs VLC Media Player

Wide range of supported media formats. compared to VLC Media Player
5KPlayer

5KPlayer

Free

5KPlayer is a versatile multimedia player that combines the functionalities of a HD video player, music player, AirPlay and DLNA streamer, and online video downloader, compatible with Windows and macOS.

Key Features

  • Plays 4K/8K and H.265 videos smoothly.
  • Integrated online video and music downloader.
  • Built-in AirPlay and DLNA for streaming and mirroring.

vs VLC Media Player

Plays 4K/8K and H.265 videos smoothly. compared to VLC Media Player
Macgo Blu-ray Player

Macgo Blu-ray Player is a powerful media player designed specifically for enjoying Blu-ray movies on your computer. It offers high-quality playback, support for various video formats, and essential features for a seamless viewing experience, including subtitle support and high-fidelity audio.

Key Features

  • Excellent Blu-ray playback quality for discs, folders, and ISOs.
  • Supports 4K and HD video playback.
  • Provides Hi-Fi audio support for immersive sound.

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent Blu-ray playback quality for discs, folders, and ISOs. compared to VLC Media Player
Swinsian

Swinsian

Commercial

Swinsian is a powerful and lightweight music player and organizer designed exclusively for macOS. It handles a wide range of audio formats, offers advanced tagging capabilities, duplicate file finding, and seamless integration with features like Last.fm and iTunes libraries, providing a sophisticated and efficient music management solution.

Key Features

  • Excellent performance with large music libraries.
  • Most advanced music tagging capabilities on macOS.
  • Effective and configurable duplicate music finder.

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent performance with large music libraries. compared to VLC Media Player
Eina

Eina

Open Source

Eina is a lightweight and portable music player designed for simplicity and performance. It offers a clean interface and essential features for managing and enjoying your music library on the go, without unnecessary bloat or advertisements. Its focus on being ad-free and minimalistic provides a distraction-free listening experience.

Key Features

  • Lightweight design minimizes resource usage.
  • Completely ad-free listening experience.
  • Portable; can run without installation.

vs VLC Media Player

Lightweight design minimizes resource usage. compared to VLC Media Player

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