Hey everyone,
I was just diving into the world of media players and thought I’d share some cool QuickTime alternatives for Mac users. So, if QuickTime isn’t cutting it for you anymore, check out these options. You might find something that fits like a glove!
What’s the Best QuickTime Player Alternative?
What’s the top pick for replacing QuickTime on Ventura? — Apple Support Community
1. Fast and Convenient QuickTime Replacement - Elmedia Player
First up, Elmedia Player! This one’s a powerhouse and super versatile. It plays pretty much anything you throw at it—MP4s, AVIs, SWF, DVD files, you name it. Plus, it has cool features like visual filters, subtitle search, and audio track management. The PRO version even kicks things up a notch with AirPlay, Chromecast, DLNA streaming, and web content downloads.
Pros:
- Handles all sorts of formats
- Streaming support
- Make custom playlists
- Fine-tune audio and video settings
Cons:
- Free version misses some cool PRO stuff
- Not for Windows users
Price: Free (PRO is $19.99)
OS Supported: macOS
Rating: 4.5/5 on Mac App Store
2. VLC Media Player
Next is VLC. This open-source gem is a fan-favorite because it’s free and super reliable. It can speed up videos, rotate or trim clips, and even adjust subtitle speed. You can minimize the interface too or go full-screen. Best part? You can grab YouTube videos and convert files.
Pros:
- It’s free!
- Plays pretty much any file
- Works on all platforms: macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, etc.
Cons:
- No AirPlay or DLNA streaming
- Tricky metadata and editing
- Might have some macOS issues
Price: Free
OS Supported: macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, etc.
Rating: 2.5/5 on Trustpilot
3. GOM Player
GOM Player is also worth a shot. It handles the most popular multimedia files and has a clean, customizable interface. You can even control it with a mobile app. They have a premium version if you want extra features.
Pros:
- Easy controls
- Great format support
- Plays broken files and finds missing codecs
Cons:
- Free version has ads
Price: Free, permanent license for $22.00
OS Supported: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Rating: 4.1/5 on CNET
4. JustPlay
JustPlay is super user-friendly and supports tons of formats, even 4K and 8K. It offers playback and audio settings, audio equalizer, hardware-accelerated decoding, and subtitle customization.
Pros:
- No extra codecs needed
- Quick decoding
- Excellent HD playback
Cons:
- No video editing or downloading
- No free version
Price: $4.99
OS Supported: macOS
Rating: 4.4/5 on Mac App Store
5. IINA
IINA is a modern, free media player specifically for macOS. It uses macOS features like Force Touch, Touch Bar, Picture-in-Picture, and Dark Mode. It even handles online streams and YouTube playlists!
Pros:
- Stylish and functional
- Integrates well with macOS
- Free and open-source
Cons:
- Bits hefty on CPU
- Issues with Full HD H.265 clips
Price: Free
OS Supported: macOS
Rating: 4.4/5 on MacUpdate
6. OmniPlayer
OmniPlayer is another gem with super clean UI and tons of features like adjusting playback, video image, and subtitles. You can even play YouTube and Vimeo videos without ads.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Picture-in-Picture mode
- Create and edit playlists
Cons:
- Free version is quite limited
- No advanced features
- Lacks an official website
Price: Free, $8.99 for Pro version
OS Supported: macOS
Rating: 4.7/5 on Mac App Store
7. KMPlayer
KMPlayer is popular and free, with built-in codecs and wide format support. You can capture video, and the 64x version lets you download content from YouTube. It also supports Android and iOS!
Pros:
- Plays many formats
- Offers customization options
- Multi-language support
- Supports HD, UHD, and 4K
Cons:
- Annoying ads
- Prompts to install third-party apps
- Mac version not listed on official site
Price: Free
OS Supported: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Rating: 4.3/5 on Mac App Store
8. Cisdem Video Player
If you’re on the hunt for a cool video player for your Mac, you might want to check out Cisdem Video Player. It’s designed specifically for Mac and handles a TON of different audio and video formats. Whether you’re watching 1080P, 4K, 5K, or even 8K videos, this player runs them smoothly. Best part? It’s free! Though, if you need to convert videos, you’ll have to shell out for some in-app purchases. Cisdem also lets you add external subtitles (.ass and .srt formats) and take screenshots of your favorite scenes.
Pros :
- Super easy to use and not heavy on resources
- Can also convert videos
- You get a complete set of playback controls
- Integrated playlist window makes file management a breeze
Cons :
- You can’t adjust subtitles
Pricing: Free version available, one-time purchase starts at $19.99
Supported OS: macOS, Windows
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 on Mac App Store
Comparison Table to Choose the Best QuickTime Alternative
Features |
Elmedia Player |
VLC Media Player |
GOM Player |
JustPlay |
IINA |
OmniPlayer |
KMPlayer |
Cisdem Video Player |
Handles many file formats |
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Subtitle features |
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Playlist management |
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Screen recording |
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(PRO) |
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Picture-in-Picture support |
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Operating System |
macOS |
cross-platform |
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
macOS |
macOS |
macOS |
macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
macOS, Windows |
Free version available |
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Why You Might Need a QuickTime Alternative
QuickTime is alright, but it’s got some issues, like:
- Limited format support: It doesn’t play all video and audio formats, which is super annoying when you have a bunch of different files.
- Editing options are meh: No advanced built-in editing tools.
- Crashes: It can crash randomly, especially after OS X updates if it hasn’t been updated for a while.
Conclusion
There’s a bunch of awesome alternatives to QuickTime out there that cover its weak spots. If you need a player with lots of playback and streaming features, give Elmedia Player a go. Or, if you’re into something quick and simple, JustPlay or another lightweight option could be perfect. For more details, check out best media player for Mac.