While Macs have a solid native media player, QuickTime, its functionality and features fall short of many other available options. Luckily, there are many other options. The problem is, with so many potential players out there, it’s hard to know which one to pick.
This guide is here to help you in your search and narrow down the list of potential apps. Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best media players available for Mac by breaking down their features and unique aspects.
1. VLC Media Player
One of the most popular media players on the market is VLC. It plays just about any format you can think of and is completely free to use. In addition to files, VLC Media Player can also play content from DVDs and CDs, and the software can be customized.
There are several additional extensions available as well. That ensures you can customize the program to fit your exact needs. That not only refers to how the player looks but also how it functions. The software is quite secure too, which is important whenever you’re online in today’s day and age.
VLC uses no spyware, no ads, and has no user tracking. You can watch your videos and listen to your music in private.
2. MPlayerX
Another popular option is MPlayerX. This app is not only incredibly easy to use, it is also extremely powerful. It gives you a clear playback of numerous different audio and video formats, works fast, and can even provide subtitles.
While the software hasn’t been updated in a while, it works on a variety of different Mac versions, and older computers will have no issues running it.
This software can seamlessly play online videos from a variety of sources like YouTube. Controlling playback is also easy and intuitive within the program.
We would love to see an update at some point, this tried and true media player is still a popular and speedy option for users who want more options.
3. Divx
This cross-platform media player is another good consideration. Divx delivers high-quality playback of videos and audio content. It also allows you to create playlists that keep everything nice and organized.
Beyond that, the software provides you with various options when it comes to customization as well. There are sound adjustments that can be made, and the software, using Chapter Points, makes it easy for you to find your favorite parts in a song or movie.
The basic program is free to use, but if you want to get rid of ads and gain access to more advanced features, there is a Pro version. Divx also has several other helpful programs that you might be interested in, from a media server to a video converter.
4. Cisdem Video Player
Cisdem Video Player is a good choice for those who want a media player with elite and professional features. It supports dozens of the most popular formats on the market, and can effortlessly play 4K video without any additional codec packs.
The software is also consistent, which means you don’t need to worry about videos or audio files lagging. It works with both files downloaded, as well as local media files, so you should have no trouble watching or listening to any content with this one.
The software itself is incredibly user-friendly, and navigating through the program is a breeze. The software is free to use, but there’s an in-app purchase that can unlock additional features like video conversion.
Final Words
In conclusion, the media players outlined above are great for Mac users everywhere. They each let you easily and effectively play everything from movies to audio files, and they all give you a range of other options as well.
If you have an iOS device and you want a media player, you won’t be able to find anything better than what’s listed here.
Are you aware of another Mac media player that you feel should have been included in this guide? If so, don’t hesitate to let us know about it in the comments below.