Hey everyone! If you’ve been using MKPlayer but feel it’s time for a change, you’re in the right spot
. Don’t just download any media player—give Elmedia Player a shot for way better viewing. Also, check out VLC and 5KPlayer. Stick around for this review of top Mac media players.
So, What’s MKPlayer on Mac Anyway? 
MKPlayer is a pretty popular media player for macOS. It’s got a lot of cool features like Apple AirPlay, dropping files to the Dock for easy play, and even a Safari extension. Plus, you can keep your video window on top of everything else on your Mac with it.
Using the mini MKPlayer? You’ll find the interface clean and easy to navigate. It’s also quite user-friendly when it comes to finding supported videos and songs.
Why You Might Need an MKPlayer Alternative 
Sure, MKPlayer’s used by many for media playback, but it’s got some downsides. Here’s why you might wanna consider switching:
- Pro Features Limited to Certain macOS Versions: Only available on macOS High Sierra and Mojave.
- Video Adjustments are Premium: No tweaking video properties like brightness or contrast if you’re on the free version.
- MKV Files with Multiple Tracks: Only pro users can enjoy this.
- Safari Extension: Playing videos from websites is behind a paywall.
- Streaming to Smart TV Isn’t Free: Only pro users can enjoy this feature.
- Compatibility Issues: Might not support all file formats for professional video editing.
- Full Version Interface: Full player interface isn’t as great as the mini-player.
- Performance Issues: Might struggle with some videos and formats.
- Limited AirPlay Support: Only works with AirPlay-supported media formats.
- No Video Downloads: Can’t download or save streamed clips.
I use MKPlayer for music and can’t find the loop button. Any free player recommendations? — Whirlpool Forums
Now you’re aware of why an alternative might be better, let’s dive into some top Mac media players! 
Why Elmedia is a Fantastic Alternative 
Elmedia Player is top-notch for Mac users. It supports tons of file types—from MP4 and SWF to MKV, MOV, WMV, FLV, and more. You can also add subtitles easily, either from local files or downloading them through the player.
Elmedia lets you customize your playback experience a lot—tweak videos and audio to your liking. Plus, you can create screenshot galleries for quick reference.
For more perks, check out Elmedia PRO. It’s awesome for subtitles, and streams content from major sites. It’s also a DLNA player, so you can cast content to Chromecast and enjoy it on smart TVs.
In a nutshell: If you’re ditching MKPlayer, Elmedia Player is the way to go! It’s versatile and super user-friendly.
How to Use Elmedia Player 
Super simple to get started:
Step 1: Download from the Elmedia website or the Mac App Store. If using the website, you need to install it manually.
Step 2: Launch it from the Dock and drag/drop content or right-click to open with Elmedia.
Step 3: Sit back, relax, and enjoy your media hassle-free!
Pros 
- Free Features: Better than competitors.
- Wide Format Support: Plays almost any format.
- Online Subtitles: Search directly within the player.
- Subtitle Editing: You can tweak subtitles.
- Screen Actions: Pause, rotate, and flip while playing.
- Streaming: Cast to Chromecast, AirPlay, and DLNA devices.
- Screenshots: Save as JPEGs.
Cons 
- Picture-in-Picture: Only in the paid version.
- Platform: Only for macOS.
Platform: macOS
Price: Free, $19.99 for Elmedia Pro
Other Recommendations for MKPlayer Alternatives 
VLC Media Player 
VLC is a classic! Open-source and super versatile. You can use it for personal or business needs without licensing hassles. It supports all sorts of formats and even streams from the internet or plays partially downloaded files.
Pros 
- Customization: Fine-tunes listening/viewing.
- Media Server: Share media within a network.
- Screenshots: Enables taking screenshots.
Cons 
- Navigation: Can be slow.
- Advanced Features: Not user-friendly; needs an expert touch.
- UI: Not the prettiest.
- App Store: Not available there.
Platform: macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, ChromeOS, iOS
Price: Free
5KPlayer 
5KPlayer supports various formats (MP4, MKV, AVI, etc.) and boasts HD playback. It uses hardware acceleration for smooth performance and supports ultra-high-def videos up to 8K.
Cool Feature: Stream wirelessly with AirPlay and DLNA. You can also download online videos from sites like YouTube and Dailymotion for offline use.
Pros 
- 360° Video: Supports it seamlessly.
- Quality: No loss while streaming.
- Hardware Acceleration: For HD videos and pictures.
Cons 
- Library Interface: Cluttered and hard to navigate.
- App Store: Not available; must download from the developer’s site.
Platform: macOS, Windows
Price: Free
Side-By-Side Comparison Table 
Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose:
Features |
Elmedia Player |
VLC Media Player |
5KPlayer |
OS Support |
macOS |
macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, ChromeOS, iOS |
macOS, Windows |
Price |
Free, Elmedia Pro $19.99 |
Free |
Free |
Streaming Support |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Subtitle Editing |
Yes |
No |
No |
Picture-in-Picture Mode |
Paid |
No |
No |
360° Video Playback |
No |
No |
Yes |
Download Online Videos |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Licenses |
Free and paid |
Open Source |
Free |
AirPlay 2-Enabled Smart TVs |
Supported |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Video and Image Layout Adjustments |
Robust options to play around with |
Just the basics |
Just the basics |
Free Subtitles From Opensubtitles |
Yes |
Needs registration |
Manual upload only |
Match Audio to Video |
Auto magic! |
Gotta tweak it yourself |
Gotta tweak it yourself |
Verdict
Okay, so here’s my take. Out of the three players, Elmedia Player clearly stands out. It’s packed with features and has a super friendly interface. If you want a versatile, all-in-one solution, Elmedia is the way to go! 

What’s your go-to media player and why? Let’s discuss!