Do You Need A Different Media Player?
We’ve created a list of the best video players for Windows, and Windows Media Player isn’t one of them. Why? Let’s see why you should consider trying a new video player instead of the default one.
Feb 07, 2020 As a multifunctional video player for Mac, Elmedia by Eltima Software supports all popular video formats (MP4, FLV, AVI, MKV, MOV, WMV, MKV, and others). The program plays HD media without slowdown or any interruptions.
First of all, WMP hasn’t been updated since 2009, and Microsoft isn’t going to waste time and effort on it. In 2017, the company removed Windows Media Player from Windows 10 by accident. Users also noticed that Microsoft actively urged users to switch to its latest Movie and TV app instead of the old player. It’s only a matter of time before Windows Media Player is ancient history.
While Microsoft has been making a pitch for “Movies & TV’s” advantages, which include more compatibility with modern video formats, the reality is that it’s a half-baked replacement for Windows Media Player. Many features found in WMP, such as streaming video from online resources and changing play speed, aren’t even present in the new app.
Movies & TV has solid, but not wide-range, support of video formats. Additionally, its plain interface leaves a lot to be desired. The program lacks the advanced features required from a modern media player which you can easily find using third-party software. That’s why we’ve created a list of the best alternatives available.
Despite all its disadvantages, there is one thing that is worth noticing. Since Movies & TV is Windows 10’s built-in player, it tends to be much gentler on the computer’s battery life than other apps. The Movies & TV app is worth checking out if you’re planning a long trip and want to spend a few hours watching films using your laptop’s battery but isn’t likely to be the best choice in other situations.
Let’s get to the best video players for Windows you should try!
How We Tested and Picked?
The video players listed below have been chosen after an in-depth evaluation. Some of them are lightweight apps with a simple interface, while others are for more advanced and picky users.
To determine the winners, I used a Samsung computer based on Windows 10 and looked at these metrics:
The number of supported formats. As Windows default players have a limited amount of supported formats, this factor was the most significant during our test. Today, with the increasing number of advanced formats such as MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, etc., not all video players are powerful enough to cope. Thus, the best media player should be up-to-date and capable of running the newest file types.
Feature set. The best media player for Windows should not only copy standard WMP features but even surpass them. Among the video players listed below, you can find apps that offer subtitle synchronization, video/audio filters, change of playback speed, and other extra features.
User Interface and User Experience. Choosing the right video player is not only about the features it offers, but the user experience it creates. A well-developed UI and UX can make or break any program. So, when it comes to the video players, intuitive and user-friendly design is what really matters.
Affordability. Most of the video players listed below are free, though some have extra features, such as an ad blocker, that cost money. Thus, our favorite apps offer the best value for the money you shell out.
The Winners
The best video player: PotPlayer
The battle between PotPlayer and VLC was intense, and it took a lot of deliberation to determine which would be considered the best. Recently, PotPlayer has managed to earn a better reputation, and it’s easy to understand why its popularity is growing.
This free multimedia program was developed by Kakao, a South Korean company. It’s pretty lightweight, and it didn’t affect my computer memory. There were no problems with app initialization — everything was perfectly clear. PotPlayer also offers the option to install additional codecs after you install the main file, so it’s scalable.
Video Player Program For Mac
Compared to VLC, PotPlayer might be less widely used. However, it offers a bunch of features that give VLC a run for its money. When it comes to supported formats, PotPlayer is far ahead of the competition. It easily handles all modern formats and files from local storage, URLs server, DVD and Blu-ray, analog and digital TV. With regular updates, even the newest formats have been getting support quickly.
In addition, PotPlayer is a worthy competitor to VLC because of its feature list. With this app, you’ll get a variety of filters and effects to manage your video and audio playback. The equalizer is easy to use; you can play around with it to get better sound or change the video brightness to suit your needs. The player also comes with subtitle tools, scene previews, bookmarks, 3D Video mode, 360-degree output, Pixel Shader, and built-in hotkeys.
Aside from a perfect feature set, PotPlayer also offers tons of design customization options. It allows you to choose between different skins, logos, and color themes. Even though it’s free, there is no annoying advertising. During my testing, PotPlayer did a great job dealing both with large and small files without any glitches.
Runner-Up: VLC Media Player
When it comes to the best media players for Windows 10, VLC is always near or at the top of the list. It’s an absolutely free (but without ads) program with a simple interface and a great set of features. VLC Player is available on a number of platforms including Microsoft, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
The player supports almost all video and audio formats and can play all standard media types including DVDs and Blu-Ray. With VLC you can also stream video URLs in real-time and enjoy 360-degree videos. The program completes these tasks without the need to download any additional codecs.
Another useful feature is subtitle synchronization, which is especially helpful if you’re watching movies to learn foreign languages or are hearing impaired. Despite its minimalistic simplicity, VLC player offers a rich catalog of audio and video filters as well as customization options.
If you’re looking for extremely light, simple to use and easy to understand program, you should install VLC on your computer. As my testing shows, it’ll take only a few minutes. On my computer, the player runs smoothly. But compared to PotPlayer, it had some problems, including slow performance when playing large-sized files. Give it a try and see for yourself whether VLC meets your need or not.
Great Video Player & Data Manager: Plex
Plex is powerful enough to do much more than your regular media player. It’s an outstanding all-in-one media sharing server that you can use to share content from your computer to any room in your house.
It uses your PC as a handy media library to access and manage data you already have on your devices (Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, Android, TiVo, Android/iOS phones and tablets, etc.). The player works both on Windows and Mac and is intended to look perfectly well on your big-screen TV.
When it comes to video, the player supports almost all advanced formats, from MP4 and MKV to MPEG and AVI. The program can automatically transcode any other format when required, so there is no need to convert them.
Plex’s drawback is the installation and setup process. To get to the media player, I had to create a MyPlex account and download the Plex Media Server app. Still, once it was up and running, I found it to be a lightweight and user-friendly piece of software. Once you tell Plex which folders to look in, the app will detect your media and then manage the library almost automatically.
Despite the fact that Plex is free you can upgrade to PlexPass and get additional features for $4.99 per month.
The Plex UI is pure joy. It made me fall in love with this app at first sight. Even its painful installation process, which could benefit from being streamlined and simplified, didn’t change that. The settings are easy to navigate and give you lots of options to customize your experience. It also adds cover art and descriptions to each video that makes the library look even more gorgeous.
The Alternatives
Media Player Classic — Home Cinema
Media Player Classic (MPC-HC) is a free app for Windows that plays almost any media file. The Home Cinema version of the original Media Player Classic was created by the fan community after the development of the original software was halted.
Although the player looks quite retro, it still supports modern file formats. MPC-HC doesn’t have enough power to cope with the most advanced formats, but it still performs well when working with the mainstream ones: WMV, MPEG, AVI, MP4, MOV, and VOB.
When it comes to advanced features and tools, MPC-HC doesn’t come loaded as other options on our list. But if you have an older generation computer or just need a practical player with the basics, this one won’t disappoint you.
GOM Player
GOM Player is a free media player for Windows 10 that comes with built-in support for most video formats (MP4, AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV) and even 360-degree video.
Apart from basic features that come with other video players for Windows, GOM Player has some advanced features like speed control, screen capture, codec search function, various audio and video effects. Because of the vast Subtitle Library, GOM Player can automatically search and sync subtitles for the movie being played.
This player allows you to watch videos directly from YouTube. It’s also able to run damaged files or files being downloaded. However, during testing, GOM had an issue playing large-sized files. Besides, the app is full of pesky ads. It’s a constant source of annoyance as the ads pop up from every side. To get an ad-free version of the player, you need to purchase a permanent premium license for $15 (with 40% discount).
Video Player Software For Macbook Pro
5KPlayer for Windows
5KPlayer is known for its streaming features and built-in DLNA Sharing option. The player also gives users access to online radio. Although the software claims to run almost all types of videos without any plugins, it didn’t work smoothly on my computer and showed a lot of annoying ads. Additionally, there are no video enhancement features.
After installation, 5KPlayer will ask you to register to get free access to several features like Apple AirPlay mirroring and video download from 300+ websites (Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, MTV, etc.). The company will also send you a promo email with a coupon to save $39 on VideoProc, its video processing software.
ACG Player
ACG Player is a media player developed specifically for Windows 10. It promises to play almost any common video format, but in reality, it’s just a lite player with no codec add-ons.
The software was created with a simple UI. In addition to screen-casting and online streaming, there are some customization features that you can use such as changing skins and panel buttons, choosing a font style for subtitles, controlling swipe speed, etc.
Although the program is free without any functional limitations, it’s full of ads that you can only remove by paying. Note that language availability is quite limited. You can download it from the Microsoft Store.
RealPlayer
RealPlayer is one of the oldest video players for Windows on the market. The app can help you download videos and convert them to the most common formats. It’s also able to turn video files into MP3 so that you can listen to them on the go.
You can use the player free of charge, but the premium version is $35.99 with access to all advanced features and ad removal. The program has tons of positive reviews on the web. Unfortunately, RealPlayer fell short of my expectations as it couldn’t play a full-length movie on my computer, while a short MP4 movie trailer ran without any issues.
Parma Video Player
Parma Video Player is a universal application for Windows 10 which is rated highly on the Microsoft Store. The player promises to find and list all movies on your device to create a comprehensive video library. It supports all major formats and subtitle synchronization. The developers also equipped the app with a video streaming feature, speed changer, and support touch control.
However, I had no opportunity to play around with Parma Video Player, as it just didn’t work on my computer (running Windows 10). However, you can try and see whether this popular application suits your needs or not.
KMPlayer
KMPlayer (K-Multimedia player) is the last but not least option in our list of the best video players for Windows. This player for power users works well with most popular video formats, including Ultra HD with 4K resolution and movies in 3D.
The interface of KMPlayer is nothing special, yet it looks smooth and straightforward. There are also various customization features to modify the outlook up to your needs.
A Final Word
When it comes to video players for Windows 10, there are programs to suit every taste. The media players we’ve mentioned in this list meet the needs of users with varied requirements, so hopefully, you’ll notice one that’s a good fit for you. If you’ve tried another great program that’s worth being featured in this review, feel free to leave a comment and let us know.
Almost everyone likes to watch videos on computer. Although there is a native MP4 Player on computers, it is not enough for you. As a result, you like to download a third-party MP4 Player with more powerful functions to watch videos.
So which is the best MP4 Video Player for Windows and Mac?
MP4 Player
This article will answer this question for you, because it will offer you 15 free MP4 players, 5 ultimate MP4 players and one MP4 player to play online MP4 files on Windows and Mac.
Now, check the best 21-list now.
Part 1. Best 15 free MP4 player software for Windows and Mac
If you don't want to pay money on your MP4 Player, you can look at this part. These 15 Free MP4 Players are free but very useful.
1. Blu-ray Master Free Blu-ray Player (Windows/Mac)
Blu-ray Master Free Blu-ray Player is a very professional and powerful MP4 Video Player. And you can have a good time enjoying interesting videos by using Blu-ray Master Free MP4 Player. Let's see how to easily use this software.
- * It supports any of the Blu-ray/DVD disc you want to watch.
- * It supports most of the video formats like MP4, AVI, MKV, WMV, MTS and so on.
- * It is very easy to operate on 10/8/7/Vista/XP (SP2 or later) or Mac (macOS Mojave).
- * It has a user-friendly interface.
Step 1: Download and install Blu-ray Master Free MP4 Video Player and then open it on your Windows computer.
Step 2: Click 'Open File' in the interface and choose the MP4 video file you want.
Then it will automatically play the MP4 file on your computer.
Moreover, you are able to adjust the audo track, video track, screen size, effects, etc.
Very easy, right?
2. VLC Media Player (Windows)
VLC Media Player is one of the most stable MP4 Players on Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP and it can meet most of your requirements.
- * It can preview files you are downloading.
- * It is lightweight and take up little space of your computer.
- * It supports tons of formats like MP4, MPEG, FLV and RMBV files.
- * It provides good integration with video channel streaming services.
3. RealPlayer (Windows/Mac)
RealPlayer is a popular MP4 Video Player because it is very useful. It is available both on windows (10/8/7/Vista/XP) and on Mac (macOS Mojave).
- * It supports numerous video formats like MP4, AVI, MPEG, WMV, MOV.
- * It offers many plug-ins for additional formats.
- * It can share videos with others.
4. KMPlayer (Windows)
KMPlayer is also a beneficial MP4 File Player for users on Windows. It is really versatile software.
- * It supports most of the video formats like MP4, MPEG, MOV, MKV, WMV, FLV, and AVI.
- * Its users can watch high definition videos.
- * It allows users to edit subtitles of the video.
- * It allows users to repeat the part of the video.
5. DivX 10 (Windows)
DivX 10 is also on the list of top 15 free MP4 Players because of its powerful features.
- * It supports a range of formats like MP4, AVI, MKV and MOV.
- * It can cast videos on many devices.
- * It supports more than one subtitles and audios on the video.
- * It lets you find your favorite scenes quickly.
6. MediaPlayerLite Free MP4 Player (Windows)
MediaPlayerLite Free MP4 Player is also a suitable MP4 Player for you with its various features.
- * It is small software with many useful functions.
- * It can playback videos very fast and efficient.
- * It supports various formats including MP4, WAV, WMA, MP3, etc.
7. FLVPlayer4Free (Windows)
FLVPlayer4Free is also a free but user-friendly MP4 Player for Windows.
- * It is a comprehensive MP4 Player with many functions.
- * It allows you to play more than one file at the same time.
- * It is very simple to operate.
8. BS.Player (Windows)
BS.Player is still a Free MP4 Player, but it is very professional in playing videos.
- * It supports a lot of formats like MP4, AVI, MKV, WMV and so on.
- * It is very efficient and easy to use.
- * It costs very low CPU.
- * It supports high quality videos.
9. Final Media Player (Windows)
Final Media Player is another MP4 Player for windows and it is also free to use.
- * It supports more than 40 audio formats.
- * It supports more than 40 types of video formats.
- * It doesn't require you to download other codecs.
10. QuickTime Player (Mac)
QuickTime Player is the official MP4 Player for Mac by Apple so it is very reliable to use.
- * It supports many kinds of formats like MP4, WAV, MOV.
- * It is user-friendly and easy to operate.
- * It allows users to edit and convert files.
- * It supports up to 24 channels of audio.
11. MPlayer (Windows/Mac)
MPlayer is a small but very professional MP4 Player with its powerful features.
- * It supports hundreds of types of audio and video formats.
- * It runs very fast and fluent.
- * It is very small and takes up little space on your computer.
- * It supports keyboard shortcuts.
12. PotPlayer (Windows)
PotPlayer is also one of the thousands of great MP4 Players.
- * It supports a variety of video formats.
- * It allows users to edit and add subtitles to videos.
- * It supports high quality playback.
13. Media Player Classic (Windows)
Media Player Classic is a good alternative to first party MP4 Players
- * It supports many different kinds of file formats.
- * It runs at a fast speed without faulty.
- * It is lightweight so it only takes up little space of your system.
14. ACG Player (Windows)
ACG Player is a fluent and useful MP4 Player for Windows.
- * It supports many often used file formats.
- * It has a lot of available customizable features.
- * It has a simple and clear interface.
15. SPlayer (Windows)
Video Players For Macbook
SPlayer is the last one of the 20 free MP4 Players but it is not the worst. Instead, it is rather popular.
- * It supports most of the popular formats like MP4, AVI, WMV, 3GP, MP3, etc.
- * It has a simple and attractive interface.
- * It allows users to capture images from the video.
Part 2. Best 5 paid but worth MP4 player on Windows and Mac
We will introduce you 5 ultimate MP4 Players in this part. All MP4 Player software here needs to be paid but they must worth the money.
1. AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player (Windows/Mac)
AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player is the most effective MP4 Media Player. The Blu-ray and DVD Playback software has a variety of powerful functions so it is also very popular. Users will get great pleasure to watch movies by using this MP4 Video Player. Let's see how it works.
- * It supports almost all of the popular video formats including MP4, WMV, MOV, etc.
- * It also supports many kinds of audio formats.
- * It offers a high quality of videos and images, like H.264 MP4, H.265/HEVC MP4, etc..
- * It has a clear and user-friendly interface so it is easy to use.
- * It works well on Windows 10/8/8.1/7/Vista/XP, and Mac.
Step 1: Download and launch AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player on your computer.
Step 2: Click 'Open File' to import the MP4 file that you want to play on your computer. Then this software will play the MP4 file automatically.
Besides, you are able to use the options to control your MP4 playback.
Controls: you can control the forward, backward, volume-up, volume-down, etc.
Audio: You are given the option to select the audio track, channel, and device.
Video: You are capable of changing the video track, watch full screen, screen size, deinterlace, etc.
Tools: You are given the option to change the skin, language, preferences, effects, etc.
2. GOM Player (Windows)
GOM Player is a comprehensive MP4 Media Player that contains many useful features.
- * It supports all ranges of audio and video formats like AVI, MP4, MKV, etc.
- * It allows its users to customize the subtitles of the video.
- * It is able to play 360 degrees VR video.
3. 5KPlayer (Windows/Mac)
5KPlayer is also recommended as a great alternative for first-party MP4 Video Players.
- * It supports almost all usual audio and video formats.
- * It has a clear interface and it is easy to use.
- * It supports high quality audio and video.
4. Tomabo MP4 Player (Windows)
Tomabo MP4 Player is another attractive MP4 Media Player for its users to enjoy movies happily.
- * It supports many kinds of formats like MP4, FLV and so on.
- * It allows its users to control playback easily.
- * It is very easy for users to operate.
5. Tipard Blu-ray Player (Windows/Mac)
Tipard Blu-ray Player is still a good choice of the paid MP4 Video Player and it will give a good experience.
- * It supports a wild range of formats like MP4, MKV, AVI, WMV, etc.
- * It has a clear and user-friendly interface.
- * It offers high quality images and videos.
Part 3. Ultimate player to play online MP4 files
Sometimes you may want to use the MP4 Player on your computer to watch online MP4 videos. What if you can't find the online MP4 video on your MP4 Player? Then you need to firstly download the online video to your computer by AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate and then you can watch it freely with the MP4 Player. Let's see how to achieve our goal step by step.
Step 1: Download and install AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate to your computer.
Step 2: Go to the online video site and copy the URL of the video you want to download.
Step 3: Decide the resolution and format, then tick the box and click 'OK' to start to download and convert the YouTube video to MP4.
After that, you are able to play the downloaded MP4 file on any MP4 player mentioned above.
Part 4: FAQs of MP4 player Windows Mac Online
Will Windows Media Player play MP4?
Yes. Windows Media Player support MP4 playback. The supported media formats by Windows Media Player are .asf, .wma, .wmv, .wm, .asx, .wax, .wvx, .wmx, wpl, .dvr-ms, .wmd, .avi, .mpg, .mpeg, .m1v, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .mpe, .m3u, .mid, .midi, .rmi, .aif, .aifc, .aiff, .au, .snd, .wav, .cda, .ivf, .wmz, .wms, .mov, .m4a, .mp4, .m4v, .mp4v, .3g2, .3gp2, .3gp, .3gpp, .aac, .adt, .adts, .m2ts and .flac.
Can Windows 10 play MP4 videos?
Yes. The built-in player on Windows 10 is Windows Media Player, and it can play MP4 videos playback.
Can I play MP4 files on my Android phone?
Yes, Android phone can play MP4 files directly via its built-in player.
This page is the best 22 checklist of MP4 player for Windows and Mac. You can use the best free MP4 player with some limitations (Simple MP4 playback is enough). However, if you seek for more advanced playback features, then the paid MP4 player will be the best idea. Last, we also find the online MP4 converter and downloader, which can help you get the online MP4 file for offline playback.
More suggestions about best MP4 player for Windows and Mac? Just leave your comments below.