Hey folks! If you’ve been struggling with playing AVI files on your Mac due to QuickTime not supporting them, don’t worry. Here are 5 awesome Mac video players that can handle AVI files with ease, plus they come packed with tons of cool features, settings, and unique interfaces. With so many options, you’re bound to find your perfect match!
1. Top Mac AVI Player - Elmedia Player
Elmedia is hands down the best Mac AVI Player. It’s got everything - codecs, subtitles, playlists, screenshots, playback controls – you name it, this AVI player for Mac has it. And guess what? It doesn’t stop at AVI; it also plays FLV, MOV, MKV, and SWF. It’s fully compatible with external tracks, and you can even adjust audio and subtitle delays.
If you go for the Elmedia PRO version, you’ll unlock unlimited DLNA, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast streaming, a video tuner, and a customizable 10-band equalizer. Pretty neat, right?
Top Features of Elmedia Player
- Universal format compatibility
- Tons of options to customize video, audio, subtitles, and playback
- Super simple streaming
- Supports external audio and subtitles
- Save playlists and create bookmarks
Pros:
- Easy to use with a very convenient UI
- Plays almost any format
- Offers a ton of customization
- Supports DLNA, AirPlay 2, Chromecast streaming
Cons:
- Only available on Mac
- Some features require a PRO upgrade
2. Free Mac AVI Player
If you’re looking for a fully free option, this might be the best Mac video player around. It’s straightforward with basic playback controls and a limited number of settings, but it can open almost anything, including Blu-ray and DVD. Plus, it’s fully capable of HD playback, which often trips up other free players.
Top Features of FMAP
- Supports AVI, Blu-ray, DVD
- Plays HD video seamlessly
Pros:
- Simple and compact design
- Flawless functionality
Cons:
3. Cisdem AVI Player for Mac
Cisdem stands out for its extra features like file conversion and YouTube downloads. It may seem unremarkable at first, but it’s super stable and handles high-fidelity media, including Ultra HD and 5K, like a pro. Plus, it has a nice user interface and doesn’t hog system resources.
Top Features of Cisdem
- Plays AVI even in Ultra HD
- Converts media files
- Downloads from YouTube
Pros:
- Unique mix of functions
- Excellent high-resolution playback
Cons:
- Not enough customization for audio, video, and subtitles
4. Omni Player - AVI Video Player for Mac
Living up to its name, Omni Player supports most media formats, including AVI. It lets you tweak audio, video, and subtitles on the fly. You can also build playlists and shuffle or repeat them as you wish.
Top Features of Omni Player
- Fully configurable video and audio
- Playback options like shuffle and repeat
- Playlist support
Pros:
- Supports many formats
- All the essential settings are available
- Includes a browser extension
Cons:
- Some features require in-app purchases
5. VLC - Play AVI on Mac for Free
It’s tough to beat VLC when it comes to versatility. It can do almost anything – if you can find the right setting. This is its main hurdle: too many settings and menus can make it hard to find what you need. Still, VLC is a powerful and totally free player.
Top Features of VLC
- Complete playback control
- Supports network streaming
- Loads of settings
Pros:
- 100% free
- Highly functional
- Supports most codecs
Cons:
- Can be tricky to use
- Documentation isn’t always available
What is an AVI?
The Audio Video Interleave format is an old Microsoft format that brings several limitations, especially its lack of subtitle support. It’s been largely replaced by modern formats like MP4, WMV, or MKV which are more feature-rich and efficient. AVI support is mostly needed for preserving old files in their original format.
Advantages:
- Worth keeping your old AVI files since converting could lead to corruption or loss of quality.
Disadvantages:
- Big file sizes
- No subtitle or variable bit rate support
- Lacking in metadata
- Strict licensing
- There are many better options out there
Comparing the Popular Players
Still unsure about which AVI player to use on your Mac? Don’t sweat it! Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the most talked-about players based on their key features.
Features |
Elmedia |
Free AVI Player |
Cisdem |
OmniPlayer |
VLC |
Supports popular video formats |
Yep! (AVI, FLV, MKV, MP4, WMV, MOV, DAT, M4V, MPG) |
Yep! (AVI, MP4, MOV) |
Yep! (MKV, AVI, FLV, AVCHD, WMV, etc.) |
Yep! (AVI, MP4, FLV, SWF, WMV, MKV, M4V, etc.) |
Yep! (MKV, MP4, VOB, WMV, MPG, AVI, etc.) |
Supports popular audio formats |
Yep! (MP3, WMA, FLAC, MKA, OGG, AAC) |
Yep! (MP3, M4A) |
Yep! (MP3, OGG, ACC, WMA, AIFF) |
Yep! (AAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, etc.) |
Yep! (AAC, AC-3, FLAC, MP3, ALAC) |
Streams local files to TV |
Yes (PRO) |
Nope |
Nope |
Yes (PRO) |
Yep |
Video format conversion |
Nope |
Nope |
Yes (PRO) |
Nope |
Yep |
Audio Equalizer |
Yep |
Nope |
Nope |
Yep |
Yep |
Screen Recording |
Nope |
Nope |
Nope |
Yes (PRO) |
Yep |
AVI chapter navigation |
Yep |
Yep |
Yep |
Yep |
Yep |
Free version |
Yep |
Yep |
Yep |
Yep |
Yep |
So, these are some solid options to play around with if you’re looking to watch AVI files on your Mac. Each has its own perks and limitations, but I hope this helps narrow down the choices for you!
Happy watching!