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Windows Media Player Alternatives for Mac OS X

Looking for Windows Media Player alternatives? We've curated 21 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.

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player

Open Source

VLC Media Player is a free and open-source cross-platform multimedia player that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. Known for its robust format support and stability, VLC is a favorite for playing virtually any media file without the need for external codecs.

Key Features

  • Supports nearly every audio and video format without external codecs.
  • Free and open-source with no ads or bundled software.
  • Available on a wide range of operating systems and devices.

vs Windows Media Player

Supports nearly every audio and video format without external codecs. compared to Windows Media Player
Winamp

Winamp

Freemium

Winamp is a versatile media player known for its extensive format support, customizable interface, and robust library management. It provides a classic yet powerful platform for enjoying music, videos, and online content, with features like internet radio streaming, podcasting, and various synchronization options.

Key Features

  • Excellent format support for audio and video.
  • Extensive customization options through skins and plugins.
  • Robust media library management features.

vs Windows Media Player

Excellent format support for audio and video. compared to Windows Media Player
Clementine

Clementine

Open Source

Clementine is a versatile, multiplatform music player offering a comprehensive suite of features for managing and playing your music library. Inspired by Amarok, it provides robust support for collections, internet radio, podcasts, and integrated services, ensuring a rich audio experience.

Key Features

  • Robust music library management
  • Excellent support for internet radio and podcasts
  • Available on multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux)

vs Windows Media Player

Robust music library management compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

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

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

Comprehensive music and video playback capabilities. compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

Extremely lightweight and performant compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

Highly customizable interface and features compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

Included and pre-installed on macOS compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

Plays almost all audio and video formats without extra codecs. compared to Windows Media Player
Tomahawk

Tomahawk

Open Source

Tomahawk is a free and open-source music player that integrates various music sources, including streaming services, local files, and social networks, into a unified library and playback experience. It allows users to discover, play, and share music seamlessly across platforms.

Key Features

  • Seamlessly integrates various music sources into one library.
  • Source-agnostic playback with Resolver technology.
  • Extensible through a robust plugin system.

vs Windows Media Player

Seamlessly integrates various music sources into one library. compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

Highly customizable interface and functionality. compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

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

Excellent format compatibility compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

Excellent support for DivX and HEVC codecs compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

Supports a wide variety of audio and video formats. compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

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

Wide range of supported media formats. compared to Windows Media Player
SmoothVideo Project

SmoothVideo Project (SVP) is a software utility that enhances video playback by increasing the frame rate of any video to 60 frames per second or higher. It achieves this in real-time using advanced frame interpolation algorithms, making video motion appear smoother and more fluid directly within your preferred media player.

Key Features

  • Significantly improves video motion smoothness in real-time.
  • Works with a wide range of existing video players.
  • Highly customizable interpolation settings.

vs Windows Media Player

Significantly improves video motion smoothness in real-time. compared to Windows 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 Windows Media Player

Plays 4K/8K and H.265 videos smoothly. compared to Windows Media Player
Enqueue

Enqueue

Commercial

Enqueue is a streamlined and elegant music player designed specifically for macOS. It offers a clean interface, efficient music library management, and support for various audio formats, including MP3, FLAC, and AAC. With features like Last.fm scrobbling, tag editing, and smart playlists, Enqueue provides a focused music listening experience without unnecessary clutter.

Key Features

  • Clean and intuitive user interface.
  • Lightweight and efficient performance.
  • Robust music library management including smart playlists.

vs Windows Media Player

Clean and intuitive user interface. compared to Windows Media Player

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