If you’re a Mac user and come across an SWF file, use various tools to open and play it. SWF files are Adobe Flash files for web animations. This tutorial lists SWF players for Mac, including Elmedia Player, VLC Media Player, OmniPlayer, GOM Player, Jihosoft SWF Converter, and Macgo Free Mac Media Player. Each software varies in features, pros, cons, and pricing. Browsers no longer support Flash, so installing dedicated media players is recommended. Stay tuned for a detailed tutorial in the next forum post.
Hey folks! If you’re rocking a Mac and bump into an SWF file, you might be wondering how the heck to open it. No worries, there are plenty of tools out there that can help you view, play, or open an SWF file on your Mac. Let’s dive into it!
So, what’s an SWF file? 
It’s an Adobe Flash file, often used in web animations, graphics, or other design work.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to view and play SWF files on Mac using some awesome alternatives to Flash Player, so you can pick the one that suits you best.
Best SWF Player for Mac in 2024
Elmedia Player
Elmedia Player is a reliable choice that can play SWF files on both M1 and M2 Macs. Besides SWF, it supports a bunch of formats like AVI, MOV, MP4, and more. This player works with AirPlay, so you can stream to Apple TV and smart TVs via Chromecast or DLNA-certified devices. It also offers virtual surround sound, subtitle support, and you can watch movies in full-screen mode or keep the player on top of other apps. Perfect for a distraction-free experience!
Pros 
- Supports formats like AVI, MPV, MP4, FLV, DIVX, etc.
- Customizable playback for video and audio
- Stream across devices like Apple TV and smart TVs
- Subtitle support
- Custom playlists creation
- Ad-free online streaming
- Full-screen mode
Cons 
- Limited support for older devices
- Only available for Mac
Price: Free, PRO upgrade for $19.99
OS: macOS
User Rating: 4.5/5 on Mac App Store
How to play SWF Files on Mac using Elmedia Player:
-
Download Elmedia Player from the official website or the App Store.
-
Open the file by:
- Dragging it to the opened app or Dock icon.
- Selecting it from the SWF player menu and clicking Open.
- Right-clicking the file in Finder and selecting Open with > Elmedia Player.
And that’s all! Super easy, right?
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is another popular, open-source option for playing SWF files. Just download it from the official site, install it, and drop your SWF file in the VLC window. It’s a cross-platform player with an intuitive interface. It supports most audio and video formats, though some may need third-party codecs.
Pros
- Cross-platform
- Free and open-source
- User-friendly interface
- Supports most formats
Cons
- Some formats need third-party codecs
- Occasionally crashes
Price: Free
OS: Cross-platform
User Rating: 3.5/5 on Mac App Store
OmniPlayer
OmniPlayer is a multifunctional player that supports SWF and other formats. It has powerful playback speed control and customizable subtitles. You can adjust the playback of both audio and video and even play videos from YouTube and Vimeo. OmniPlayer supports AirPlay and DLNA streaming, plus it has a screenshot feature and GIF creation support.
Pros
- Supports a wide range of formats
- Playlist, audio, and video control
- Casting to Smart TV
Cons
- Some features require payment
Price: Free, $8.99 for Pro
OS: macOS
User Rating: 4.7/5 on Mac App Store
GOM Player
GOM Player is a free SWF player that supports many audio and video formats, including SWF, MP4, M4A, and more. It’s straightforward to use and comes with codecs included. It also features subtitle support, 360-degree video playback, and keyboard shortcuts.
Pros
- Supports most popular formats
- Codec search tool
- Hotkeys support
- Easily opens SWF files
- Subtitle support
Cons
- Ads during SWF playback
- Not the most intuitive interface
- Installer may include unwanted programs
Price: Free, Pro version $9.99
OS: Windows, macOS
User Rating: 4.1/5 on CNET
Jihosoft SWF Converter
If converting SWF files to formats like MP4, AVI, MOV, and 3GP is what you need, check out Jihosoft SWF Converter. It’s easy to import SWF files and export them in your preferred format. It can also detect and download SWF videos from websites for conversion. This software is compatible with most popular applications and devices and includes video editing features.
Let’s keep the conversation going! Anyone have other SWF players they swear by? 
Pros 
- Convert SWF files into many different formats
- Super fast and easy conversion
- Offers video editing options
- You can add watermarks
Cons 
- It’s just a converter, not an SWF file player
- Might lack technical support
Price: Free version available; full license is $49.95
OS: Windows, macOS
Macgo Free Mac Media Player
So, if you’re really looking for a good SWF file player for Mac, Macgo Free Mac Media Player is one you gotta check out. The interface is super user-friendly, and you can get started quickly. It’s pretty neat that you can also output DVD or other videos in 1080p HD. Plus, it supports a bunch of formats like MOV, AVI, FLV, WMV, MP4, and more. And bonus: it has external subtitle support!
Pros
- Free
- Works across different platforms
- Has a sharing function
- Supports many formats
- External subtitle support
Cons
- Might not work well with newer versions of macOS
- Some users mention it can be choppy
Price: Free
OS: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
User Rating: 3.7/5 on MacUpdate
Comparison Table of Best SWF Players on Mac
| Player | Format Support | OS | Library | Playback | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmedia Player | yep (MKV, WMV, AVI, SWF, MP4, FLV, AAC, FLAC, MP3, etc.) | macOS | yep | smooth | free, Pro is $19.99 |
| VLC Media Player | yep (SWF, MKV, MP4, VOB, WMV, MPG, AVI, MP3, WMA, AAC, etc.) | cross-platform | yep | smooth | free |
| OmniPlayer | MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, SWF, MPG, MPEG, etc. | macOS | yep | moderate | free, Pro is $8.99 |
| GOM Player | AVI, OGM, MKV, MP4, SWF, ASF, WMA, FLAC, etc. | macOS, Windows | yep | smooth | free, Pro is $9.99 |
| Macgo Media Player | SWF, MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, WMV, MP4, MPEG, RMVB, MP3, WMA, etc. | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | yep | smooth | free |
What is an SWF file?
SWF stands for Small Web Format, and it’s pretty much the go-to file type for Adobe Flash Player. These files hold vector-based animations and videos. They’re usually used to get multimedia content out there quickly. Also, they can include ActionScripts, which are used for small web apps. Just a heads-up, SWF playback might be tricky on M1 Macs. If you need to edit these files, a tool like VideoStudio Pro is your friend.
How to play and view SWF files on Mac in a web browser
If you’re trying to figure out how to play SWF files, you can view them on a Mac using a web browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Opera. Just drop the SWF file into the browser after you install and enable the Adobe Flash plugin (although that can be a bit risky). Don’t install Flash in Safari—it’s not recommended.
These days, most web browsers don’t have Flash Player installed out of the box. Older browsers used to come with Flash built-in or as an option. Now, if you want to use Flash in Chrome, you’ll need to enable it and keep it updated. For safety, it’s better not to install Flash or uninstall it from your Mac. Instead, use it in a browser app like Chrome.
Conclusion
Flash is on its way out, so to keep playing those beloved SWF files on Mac, you need a dedicated SWF player. Browsing online is possible, but it’s better to install a SWF player plugin for Chrome if you need to.
From our list of popular SWF players for Mac, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. Look at the features, pros, and cons, and check out some reviews. Using a dedicated media player like Elmedia Player is usually best—it’s packed with features beyond just playing SWF files.