Adobe discontinued Flash Player support in December 2020, urging users to uninstall it due to security risks. Fortunately, many alternatives are available. For macOS users, Elmedia Player and Ruffle are recommended. BlueMaxima’s Flashpoint preserves web games, and Lightspark is suggested for Windows and Linux. Other options include Gnash, Shubus Viewer, CheerpX for Flash, and SuperNova Player. Some browsers like Lunascape and Flashfox also offer built-in Flash support. Stay tuned for a detailed tutorial on using these alternatives in our next forum post.
Hey everyone! So, back in December 2020, Adobe pulled the plug on Flash Player and even told folks to uninstall it. This left a bunch of people scrambling for a good replacement. If you’re in that boat and wondering what to use instead of Adobe Flash Player, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s a handy list we put together to help you find a new tool without breaking a sweat.
Best Alternatives for Adobe Flash Player in 2024
User Question: Now that Adobe Flash doesn’t work on Macs anymore, what are we supposed to use? I bet this question is floating around somewhere else, but all the other answers I’ve found are kinda outdated. — @Apple Discussions
Flash Player used to be a big deal, but now it’s pretty much a security hazard. Adobe suggested everyone uninstall it ASAP. It’s not supported by major browsers anymore. But don’t worry! The apps listed below can totally fill that void. Check out their pros, cons, and standout features. For a quick overview, jump straight to the comparison table.
Adobe Flash Player Alternatives for macOS
Elmedia Player
Elmedia Player is a solid stand-in for Flash Player on Macs. It handles a bunch of file formats like SWF, FLV, MPEG, MOV, MP4, M4V, MKV, and WMV without any hiccups. No lag or sync issues, woohoo! It even has an in-app web browser for running Flash stuff. The app is loaded with playback and streaming options, subtitle settings, audio tweaks, and playlist features.
You can stream content to Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, or any AirPlay or DLNA-compatible device. Plus, as a standalone desktop app, it’s super secure and privacy-friendly, always kept up-to-date by its dedicated team.
Pros:
Supports tons of file formats and Flash
Customizable audio and video playback
Built-in and external subtitles with online search
Wireless streaming to various devices
Supports AirPlay 2 and DLNA
Hardware acceleration and smooth playback
Custom playlist creation
Cons:
Limited support for older devices
Mac-only
Supported OS: macOS
Price: Free, Pro upgrade for $19.99
Rating: 4.5/5 on Mac App Store
Ruffle
Ruffle is a free, open-source Flash player emulator made for SWF files, written in Rust. While it’s not exactly a player, it works as a standalone app on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It addresses the security issues of Flash and preserves old content. You can get browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Firefox. Note: It doesn’t support some ActionScript 3 API.
Pros:
Maintains security for older Flash stuff
Regular updates
Supports both files and web page content
Cons:
Not supported by certain websites
No support for newer Flash content
Supported OS/Browsers: macOS, Windows, Linux, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge
Price: Free and open-source
Rating: 4.2/5 on AlternativeTo
BlueMaxima’s Flashpoint
BlueMaxima’s Flashpoint is an open-source project aimed at preserving Flash web games through archival. You get a launcher and a tool called Flashpoint Secure Player to play web-based media. Two versions available: Ultimate (everything pre-downloaded) and Infinity (download stuff as you go).
Pros:
High Flash API compatibility
Works with most browsers
Tons of old Flash-based apps and games- Frequent updates
Cons:
Doesn’t support all media
Pretty big download size
Supported OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price: Free
Rating: 3.5/5 on TechSpot
Best Alternatives for Adobe Flash Player for Windows
Lightspark
Lightspark is a free, open-source Flash player for Windows and Linux, licensed under LGPLv3 and written in C++/C. It can serve as a Flash Player replacement for Chrome and Firefox since it also comes as a browser plugin. It’s still in alpha, but it runs various Flash APIs.
Pros:
Free and open-source
Customizable via code editing
Supports embedded video
Cons:
Occasional speed lags and bugs
Plugin unsupported by popular browsers like Chrome, Opera, and Firefox
No desktop app for Mac
Supported OS/Browsers: Windows, Linux, cross-platform browser plugin
Price: Free
Rating: 2/5 on AlternativeTo
Gnash
Gnash is a part of the GNU project and serves as another free, open-source alternative to Flash Player. It supports SWF files and is available as both a standalone app and a browser plugin for Mozilla and Firefox. No new updates since 2012, so it looks like the project is in limbo.
Pros:
- Free and open-source
Secure- Works with major browsers
Cons:
- No support for SWF v10
Outdated
Project seems inactive
Supported OS/Browsers: Linux, Windows, browsers still supporting NPAPI
Price: Free, donations accepted
Shubus Viewer
Shubus Viewer is a free tool for creating texts, HTML pages, viewing pictures, and playing games. It supports Flash games (SWF), Unity3D games, and Adobe Shockwave games. However, the supposed official site looks a bit sketchy and light on info.
Pros:
- Flash player, HTML, and text editor
- Supports various game types
Cons:
- Sketchy official website
Functionality could be better
Supported OS: Windows
Price: Free-to-use
Rating: 3.7/5 on Softpedia
Plugins and Browser Solutions
CheerpX for Flash
CheerpX for Flash is an HTML5 solution designed to keep Flash applications accessible without needing to install anything or use special browsers. It’s an emulator like Ruffle but offers 100% Flash compatibility, including Flex, Spark, and ActionScript 2 and 3. However, it’s geared toward enterprises, and you need a demo to try it out.
Pros:
API compatibility
No special browsers or installs needed
Enhanced safety and security
Cons:
Aimed at Flash developers, not the average user- Requires a license
Supported Browsers 
Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Opera are supported. And guess what? It’s free! 
SuperNova Player
Alright, let’s dive into the SuperNova Player. This bad boy is a standalone app that can launch SWF content from any browser, so you can enjoy your favorite games on their original websites. Cool, right? 
You can use it as a browser extension on Chrome without needing the standalone app, which is handy. The only downside? It’s only available for Windows.
Pros
- Standalone Flash player: You don’t need any extras.
- Simple UI: Seriously, it’s easy to use.
- Compact & Easy Installation: Small file size and quick to set up.
Cons
- Limited Browser Extension Compatibility: Not the best for all browsers.
- Few Features: Doesn’t come with a ton of bells and whistles.
Supported on Windows and Chrome. Free to use. Rated 3/5 on AlternativeTo.
Lunascape 
Next up is Lunascape! This one’s a bit different because it’s actually a web browser. It’s got three rendering engines (Trident, Gecko, and WebKit) and loads of features. What makes it a Flash player alternative is its built-in Flash support, so no plugins needed! Mac users, you’re in luck—it’s available for you as well. And there’s a mobile version for Android and iOS!
Pros
- Free Browser: Loads of features at no cost.
- Built-In Flash Support: No need for extra plugins.
Cons
- Browser Switch: Not everyone wants to switch their browser.
Supported on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Free to use. Rated 3.9/5 on CNET.
Flashfox Browser 
Now onto the Flashfox Browser. Like Lunascape, this is a web browser with built-in Flash support. It claims good security but, heads up, there’s no official website or download source, which might be a red flag for some.
Pros
- Free: No cost involved.
- Powerful & Lightweight: Easy on your system.
- Runs Flash Content Online: No problem with Flash content.
Cons
- Ads in Free Version: Prepare for some ads.
- No Official Download Link: Kinda sketchy.
- Not Great on Desktop: Better on mobile, desktop versions aren’t the best.
Supported on Windows, macOS, Android. Rated 3.5/5 on Uptodown.
What’s the Deal with Flash Player? 
So, for those who might not know, Flash Player was software created to run multimedia content like videos, games, animations, and more. Adobe took over in 2005, and it was a big deal for a while. But, in late 2020, Adobe stopped supporting it and asked users to uninstall it. Now, we’ve got to look for third-party players to run our Flash files. No worries, though—plenty of Windows and Mac Flash Player alternatives are out there! 
Comparison Table 
| Name | Type | OS / Browser | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmedia | Player | macOS | Free, Pro upgrade - $19.99 |
| Ruffle | Player | macOS, Windows, Linux, Chrome, Safari, Firefox | Free |
| BlueMaxima’s Flashpoint | Webgame Preservation | Windows, macOS, Linux | Free |
| Lightspark | Player | Windows, Linux, Cross-platform | Free |
| Gnash | Player | Linux, Windows | Free, donations welcome |
| Shubus Viewer | Tool | Windows | Free |
| CheerpX for Flash | HTML5 Solution | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera | Free |
| SuperNova | Player | Windows, Chrome | Free |
| Lunascape | Web Browser | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Free |
| Flashfox | Browser | Windows, macOS, Android | Free, $2.99 for Pro |
Conclusion
So, the end of Adobe Flash Player was a big change, but not the end of the world! There are lots of options out there to keep enjoying your Flash content. Whether it’s a stand-alone player, a browser extension, or even a whole new browser, you can find a solution that works for you. Your favorite games and videos are safe and sound! Check out some options like Elmedia Player—it’s packed with features and totally worth a try.