Best VLC Alternative Mac Video Players [2024]

VLC is a popular media player for macOS, known for its versatility, but it can sometimes malfunction, prompting users to seek alternatives. This article explores several options, including Elmedia Player, JustPlay, QuickTime, 5KPlayer, MPlayerX, Movist, IINA, and DivX. Each alternative offers unique features, such as streaming capabilities, customizable interfaces, and various format supports. For instance, Elmedia supports DLNA/AirPlay 2, JustPlay has Touch Bar support, and QuickTime offers iCloud integration. Stay tuned for a more detailed tutorial in the next forum post!

Hey everyone! :star2: So, I know many of us are die-hard VLC fans, but let’s be real — sometimes it just doesn’t cut it. Like, ever found yourself struggling with certain formats or missing features? Yep, I feel you! So, I dug around and found some VLC alternatives that might just hit the spot. Dive in, and you might just discover your new fave media player!

Why Look for a VLC Alternative? :thinking:

VLC is a legend — it’s versatile, supports almost all formats, and works on any OS. But let’s be honest, it has its quirks. I’ve seen loads of complaints about it crashing or just refusing to open. For instance, check out this classic issue:

“Since yesterday I can’t open VLC on my Mac. It crashes instantly even after multiple reinstalls and OS reboots.” — From The VideoLAN Forums

Pros:

  • Plays almost any format
  • Opens Blu-ray with DVD menus
  • Supports video downloads, conversion, and YouTube streaming
  • Has an audio equalizer and video effects
  • Bookmarks, playlists, and playback speed adjustments
  • Supports subtitle and audio tracks with sync

Cons:

  • No DLNA or AirPlay streaming
  • Confusing interface
  • No guarantees or support if it fails

Alright, so if you’re like me and need something a bit more reliable or feature-packed, check out these alternatives:

1. Elmedia Player Benefits

Elmedia does almost everything VLC can and then some. It supports a ton of formats like WMV, MKV, FLAC, and AVI — basically the whole shebang. Plus, it has easy DLNA and AirPlay 2 streaming, and the layout is super user-friendly with lots of keybinds.

Top Features:

  • Smart TV streaming with playlists
  • Frame-by-frame playback and speed adjustment
  • Customizable color themes
  • Timeline preview thumbnails
  • Bookmark your spot in videos

Pros:

  • Great for managing and creating playlists
  • Works with various file formats
  • Supports AirPlay/DLNA/Chromecast streaming
  • Comprehensive subtitle support

Cons:

  • Need the PRO version for additional features
  • Only for macOS

Store Rating: 4.5/5 on the App Store
Price: Free with a $19.99 PRO upgrade
Supported OS: macOS

2. JustPlay

JustPlay is a simple yet powerful media player for Mac, handling a variety of formats like MP4, AVI, MOV, SWF, FLAC, etc. It offers features like playback speed control, video tuning, and subtitles customization. Plus, if your MacBook has a Touch Bar, JustPlay supports that too!

Top Features:

  • Flexible playback adjustments
  • Deinterlacing option
  • Picture-in-Picture mode
  • Touch Bar support

Pros:

  • Video tuning capabilities
  • Plays 8K videos
  • Subtitles support with customization

Cons:

  • No free version
  • No Wi-Fi streaming

Store Rating: 4.4/5 on the App Store
Price: $4.99
Supported OS: macOS

3. QuickTime

QuickTime is great if you mainly deal with MP4 files. It allows screen recording, clip editing, and conversion to audio. It also integrates nicely with iCloud for seamless viewing. However, it lacks advanced audio controls, which might be a deal-breaker for some.

Top Features:

  • Screen recording, editing, conversion with QuickTime Pro
  • View local and iCloud files
  • Configurable playback speed and PiP Mode

Pros:

  • Super easy to use
  • Compatible with any macOS device
  • Seamless audio playback integration

Cons:

  • Requires additional codecs
  • Limited video format support

Price: Free
Supported OS: macOS

4. 5KPlayer

5KPlayer is pretty rad for an HD playback. It can handle 2K and 4K Ultra HD videos effortlessly and supports a ton of formats. It also lets you download videos from YouTube, and stream via AirPlay and DLNA. Downsides? It starts on startup and features ads.

Top Features:

  • Supports as many formats as VLC
  • Flawless HD playback
  • Downloads from YouTube and other sites

Pros:

  • Supports AirPlay and DLNA
  • Streams online videos
  • Audio channel switching and video to audio conversion

Cons:

  • Occasional freezing
  • Free version has ads

Rating: 2.6/5 on Trustpilot
Price: Free, with a $29.95 yearly subscription
Supported OS: macOS, Windows

5. MPlayerX Media Player

MPlayerX is awesome for autonomous viewing. It auto-creates playlists from filenames, supports S/PDIF connections, and has gesture controls. It’s smooth and requires no learning curve, but it hasn’t been updated in a while and doesn’t support M1 chips.

Top Features:

  • Gesture controls
  • Recognizes S/PDIF connections
  • Auto-creates playlists

Pros:

  • Auto-organizes playlists
  • Supports Apple Remote
  • Most subtitle types supported

Cons:

  • No recent updates
  • Not compatible with M1 chips

Rating: 3.7/5 on MacUpdate
Price: Free
Supported OS: macOS, Windows

6. Movist

Movist offers enhanced compatibility by letting you toggle decoders and set video quality. It also boasts HDR tone mapping for vibrant colors and can show multiple subtitle tracks at once — pretty unique!

Top Features:

  • HDR tone mapping
  • Toggle decoders
  • Full subtitle support with multiple tracks

Pros:

  • Play files from network servers
  • Safari extensions support
  • Auto-filling playlists

Cons:

  • Only available for macOS

  • Rating on App Store: :star: 4.3/5

  • Price: :moneybag: Free, with a $4.99 upgrade available

  • Supported OS: :computer: macOS

7. IINA

IINA is often seen as a top VLC competitor. It’s got a sleek interface and is packed with Mac-specific features. Unlike VLC’s somewhat clunky design, IINA focuses more on aesthetics and user experience. You get all the essential features like audio controls, video effects, and track sync, but also some cool extras.

What makes IINA stand out? It can switch to Dark Theme, run in Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode, use gesture controls, and even take advantage of the Touch Bar. It’s definitely a polished player!

Top Features:

  • Dark Theme :new_moon_with_face:
  • PiP Mode :tv:
  • Gesture shortcuts :raised_hand:
  • Touch Bar integration :computer:
  • Customizable interface :art:

Pros:

  • Free and open-source :free:
  • Stunning design :heart_eyes:
  • Solid audio equalizer and sound control :musical_note:
  • Supports many video and audio codecs :movie_camera:

Cons:

  • Not as customizable as some other players :confused:
  • Only available on Mac :green_apple:

Rating on MacUpdate: :star: 4.4/5
Price: :moneybag: Free
Supported OS: :computer: macOS

8. DivX

DivX Player is excellent for organizing a comprehensive media library, even allowing seamless integration with Google Drive or Dropbox. With DivX, you can play your content straight from these cloud services, or broadcast to any DLNA-compatible device, including Chromecast. It’s particularly great with Surround Sound too, supporting various coding standards.

Top Features:

  • DLNA streaming :satellite:
  • Plays files directly from Google Drive or Dropbox :cloud:
  • AC3, DTS Surround Sound :loud_sound:
  • Media library management :bookmark_tabs:

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface :blush:
  • Excellent playback quality :+1:
  • Easy streaming setup :rocket:
  • Uses accelerated technology :zap:

Cons:

  • Free version is limited :grimacing:
  • Limited playback formats :confused:

Rating on CNET: :star: 3.6/5
Price: :moneybag: Free, with Pro features at $9.99
Supported OS: :computer: macOS, Windows

Comparison Table of Best VLC Alternatives :balance_scale:

Features Elmedia Player JustPlay 5KPlayer MPlayerX Movist IINA DivX
Video Formats AVI, FLV, SWF, MP4, WMV, MOV, DAT, etc. MP4, AVI, MOV, SWF, DAT, MKV, etc. MKV, M2TS, MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, etc. VOB, AVI, OGM, VIVO, ASF, etc. WMV, AVI, MOV, MP4, M4V, etc. AVI, MP4, MOV, WMV, FLV, etc. DivX, AVI, MKV, HEVC, etc.
Audio Formats MP3, WMA, AC2, MKA, OGG, FLAC, etc. MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, etc. MP3, AAC, AC3, WMA, FLAC, ALAC, etc. MP3, WAV, WMA, FLAC, APE, etc. AAC, MP3, FLAC, WMA, ALAC, etc. MP3, MOV, M4V, FLV, MP4, MPV, etc. AAC, AC3, DTS
Subtitle Support :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
Stream to Other Devices :white_check_mark: :x: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :x: :x: :white_check_mark:
Hardware-accelerated :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
OS macOS macOS macOS, Windows macOS macOS macOS macOS, Windows
Free :white_check_mark: :x: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:

Conclusion :checkered_flag:

VLC isn’t the only game in town anymore, folks! There are tons of awesome alternatives out there like Elmedia Player, which might even suit your needs better depending on what you’re looking for—be it wireless streaming, easier media management, or a slicker UI. Figure out your must-have features, and you’ll find the best media player for your Mac in no time!

Happy watching! :tada: