There are a plethora of Mac video players on the app market. From my perspective, the best video player for Mac should support a vast assortment of formats, crisp visual display, and user-friendly operating features. In this huge and intensely competitive market, we can't figure out which free Mac video player is the best choice at once. If you have the same doubts, then you come to the right place. In this article, I'd like to show you the best media player for Mac that can give you excellent visual enjoyment.
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The best video player for Mac is supposed to:
- Be free of ads, viruses, malware, and spyware.
- Born with a slick and directive interface, making the app simple to navigate.
- Come with strong coding skills and support wide-ranging video & audio format, so you can play any media file including 4K/5K video without losing quality.
- Have compact and basic video playback functions, like play/pause, time display, volume control, etc.
Well, I’ve listed and tested a bunch of Mac video players and screened out the top 10 best free video player for Mac with the above reference in mind.
Top 10 Best Video Player for Mac 2021
Video player software isn’t rare, but top free video player for Mac users is not easy to come by. Hence we picked out the 10 best video players for Mac and give you some detailed information below.
#1. Cisdem Video Player for Mac
Compatibility: macOS 10.10 or later
Cisdem Video Player is an incredible program playing a vast assortment of media file formats. It’s fully compatible with all popular video formats (e.g. WMV, AVI, MOV, MP4, M4V, FLV, MKV, RMVB, MPEG, etc.), as well as audio files (e.g. MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, M4A, etc.). The software supports all those codecs ensuring the playback of high-quality video files a breeze.
This best video player Mac takes care of your local media files and the music/videos downloaded from YouTube, Vimeo, or others. You can automatically or manually add subtitles in .ass and .srt formats. It offers smoother playback while other media players show a video jitter, choppy, or stalling.
Cisdem best Mac video player contains a built-in video converter, allowing you to media files to MP4, M4V, MOV, MP3, M4A, iPhone, iPad, Samsung, and so on. It's totally free to play video & audio files but to unlock the conversion function, you need to upgrade to the pro version.
Pros:
- Equipped with a concise and decent interface
- Play video/audio files in more than 100 formats
- Play 1080P, 4K, 5K, and even 8K videos
- Load subtitles in any language, or import subtitles, as you want
- Choose the audio soundtracks and stereo
- Capture snapshots of each frame
- Turn volume up or down
- Take less occupancy on CPU memory of your Mac
FAQ: What're the differences between Cisdem Video Player and Cisdem Video Converter?
| Cisdem Video Player | Cisdem Video Converter | |
|---|---|---|
| Download | Free download | Download the free trial |
| Price | Free ($9.99 to active conversion feature) | $49.99 |
| Video Play | Dedicated video player (rich playback controls) | Inbuilt-in video player (non-primary function） |
| Video Convert | Support 40+ output formats | Support 300+ formats |
| Batch Convert | No | Yes |
| Extra | / | Rip DVD movies and music Download online videos from 1000+ sites |
Both programs support playing and converting features. But as their names indicate, the former is mainly used to play videos, while the latter is a professional video converter & downloader.
#2. VLC Media Player for Mac
Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.7.5 or newer
VLC Media Player, an uncluttered, open-source and cross-platform program, supports DivX and MPEG streaming. It can play DVDs, CDs, VCDs, network streaming protocols, and various types of video files. The best video player Mac offers playlist for viewing multiple videos one after the other.
Meanwhile, VLC empowers you to open Zip media files without unpacking them. And you can simply tweak the playback controls and audio volume (up to 200%). But it’s a little delayed while playing, 'Each time I click on run video network it plays other audio and DVDs, etc. and after a million times it finally plays the YouTube video.'
Pros:
- Help you enjoy Windows Media, MP3, QuickTime, and OGG files.
- Record the movies/music you are playing with VLC
- Adjust playback speed (slower, normal, and faster)
- Support external subtitles and Closed Captions
Cons:
- Outdated user interface
- Delay a little while playing the media files
#3. MPlayerX for Mac
Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.7 or above
MPlayerX is one of the fastest choices to play MPEG (damaged MPEG files included), MP4, AVI, ASF, WMV, MOV, WAV, OGG/OGM, CD audio, etc. Plus, this best media player for Mac supports multi-touch, gesture, auto-encode subtitles, and online YouTube/Vimeo playback. But don't confuse MPlayerX and MPlayer OSX Extended. They are two completely different programs.
Pros:
- Stand-alone video player for Mac
- Support various output formats and devices
- Auto convert subtitles for media files
Cons:
- Injects pop-up ads or advertising banners which may bring a virus
- Take up too much CPU
- Encounter problem when open the software and ask you to eject the disk image
#4. QuickTime Player for Mac
Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.6.6 or above
QuickTime Player, bundled with the Mac operating system, is Apple's flagship software. It ensures you to view Internet video, HD movie trailers, and personal media. This best media player for Mac is slick and easy to use. You can quickly export your videos to 4k, 1080p, 720p, 480p (based on original resolution) or extract them as M4A audio. It also functions as a screen recorder. You can record your playing movie, track, or anything on your current desktop.
However, it supports limited video formats. For more formats available like FLV, you have to install external plug-in Perian.
Pros:
- No additional installation required
- Provide you with advanced H.264 video compression technology to help deliver perfect HD video with less storage space.
- Record your Mac screen
Cons:
- A bit slow to launch
- Can’t work with common subtitle files
- Can’t open MKV, WMV, WMA, AVI, FLV, etc.
#5. Elmedia Player for Mac
Compatibility: OS X 10.9.0 or later
A multifunctional free media player for Mac, Elmedia Player supports a wide range of common and not so common audio & video formats, including FLV, SWF, WMV, AVI, MOV, MP4, MP3, DAT, FLAC, M4V, MPG, MKV, and more. It can play virtually all media files on your Mac. Although it has some other special features, such as downloading online videos from YouTube and adjusting audio settings, they are not free and need to be upgraded.
Pros:
- Play online videos without ads
- Support embedded and external subtitles
- Save and load playlist
- Reset audio delay
Cons:
- Consume major CPU
- Might lose video quality when swiping back and forth
- Only pro version allows to take screenshots
#6. 5KPlayer for Mac
Compatibility: OS X 10.8.0 or higher
5KPlayer is a mixture of free AirPlay media streamer, online video downloader, music player and movie player for Mac. All HD, 4K, 5K videos including MKV, MTS, AVCHD are supported. With AirPlay streaming tech, you can as AirPlay sender/receiver: stream video music from iPhone, iPad to PC or from PC to Apple TV. Although the best Mac video player lets you download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc., the download process will be bit slower.
Pros:
- Embedded copious codecs for playing different audio, video, and DVD.
- No need to install additional codec or pack.
- Import subtitle and switch soundtrack
- Manage YouTube downloaded videos, DLNA server, and playlist in library
Cons:
- Install Bonjour voluntarily without any hint when you need to make AirPlay work
- The media player will get stuck when playing high resolution & long videos
#7. Realplayer for Mac
Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.9 or later
Realplayer can play all formats of videos. This best video player Mac is a universal media player that automatically recognizes the file format of the video or audio file you want to play. So you can count on it to reliably play the most popular audio and video file formats including AVI, MP4, MP3, WMA, WAV, FLV, MPEG, and more. It requires a fairly powerful machine for some functions. Several applications need to be installed in advance to launch the application properly.
Pros:
- Offer several visualization ways for listening and locates your media files automatically.
- Include handy downloading and conversion features that may benefit some users.
#8. DivX Player for Mac
Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.5.0 or above
DivX Player delivers high-quality video playback for AVI, DIVX, MKV, MP4, and more. It is the best video player Mac to watch DivX, MKV, and HEVC up to 4K films. You can use its built-in TransferWizard to burn videos to DVD/USB/computer. It also comes with DivX Codec Pack and a free 15-day trial of DivX Plus Converter for those who plan to convert.
Pros:
- Support playing HD 720P/1080P, UHD 4K video movies
- Open video directly with URL
- Import video files into library
Cons:
- Large installation file and install other software without permission
- Poor compatibility with the latest system
- Lack some key features, e.g. rewind and forward
#9. Movist Video Player for Mac
Compatibility: OS X 10.10.0 or late
Movist, based on QuickTime and FFmpeg, is another best media player for Mac. It has the ability to encode/decode a multitude of formats and add subtitles. You can do some general and advanced settings for better and convenient video playback. However, the new versions like 2.4.2, 2.4.3 are not free now, which charge $4.99 or $7.99 (Movist Pro). To get Movist free video player for Mac, you should install the old version like 0.6.8 or before.
Pros:
- Simple to operate
- Support playlist
- Many customizable options
#10. NicePlayer for Mac
Compatibility: Mac OS X 10.5 or above
NicePlayer is the best Video Player for Mac with a multi-engine player designed for playing movies nicely. This program features full-screen or borderless floating windows, useful controls for scrubbing or queuing movies, and on-the-fly playlist creation.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compatible with most formats
- Can adjust the aspect ratio
- Make a suitable presentation with the aid of toolbar (Half Size, Double Size, Fill Screen, Fill Width, etc.)
Cons:
- Can’t handle AVI, MKV or MPG videos.
- No support for subtitles and changing audio sources, etc.
- Unable to play the videos by dragging it to the software
- Not convenient to switch to another video
What is Media Player (Software)？
We often need the best media player for Mac, but before installing new software it is good to get some knowledge about it.
According to the explanation from Wikipedia, a media player (software) is a handy program that can help you play videos, music, movies, and other multimedia files on the computer. All media players display standard media control icons: play, pause, fast-forward, back forward, and stop buttons.
How to Use the Best Video Player for Mac?
All video players mentioned above are easy to use. Let's take Cisdem Video Player as an example:
Step 1. Download and install the best free video player for Mac, then launch it.
Step 2. Drag and drop the video file you wish to watch to the interface of the software.
Step 3. Click button to start video play on Mac.
How to Change the Default Video Player on Mac?
QuickTime Player is the default Mac media player. You can change it into the best video player for Mac you think.
Step 1. Locate the media file you wish to play.
Step 2. Right-click on it, a drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose “Open With” > “Other”, which brings up a dialog for selecting the application to open your media file.
Step 4. Choose your best media player Mac, check the box- “Always Open With”, and click on “Open”.
Conclusion
I deem that you already have the best media player for Mac in your mind, just download it on Mac and have a try if it is right the thing as you expected. Here I advise those who still feel a little confused to choose from, I push Cisdem Video Player for Mac in front of you. it gets more and more reputation and becomes a stable status among the market. 4K video, 5K/1080p HD videos, all of popular SD & HD standard video formats which other free video player tools unable to support, or add subtitle files, Cisdem Video Player for Mac can all fix it. What’s the best I enjoy, it offers crisp and clear visual image, I feel the video playing quite high quality.
If you want to play MP4 on Mac computer, there are many choices on 2021 best MP4 player Mac-oriented for free.
There are users complaining that QuickTime can't play mp4 on Mac. Though MP4 is listed as one of the supported formats by QuickTime Player, there are some MP4 files in codec that is proprietary to Microsoft. In fact, QuickTime Player support several formats only (namely mov, mpeg4, mpeg2, mpeg1, 3gpp, 3gpp2, avchd, avi, DV), and many popular formats are out of luck, including MP4 encoded with certain codec. Here are top MP4 video player for macOS.
Table of Contents
Part 1: List of 2021 Best MP4 Player for Mac
5KPlayer
Price: Free
Supported formats: Almost all popular formats, HD/4K/5K/8K UHD videos, DVD
Ads: Ads-free
5KPlayer is not only a free MP4 video player for Mac computer, but a Mac player for all formats. It's 100% free and clean of ads or virus. With massive codec library built-in, Mac users can smoothly play any MP4 files, H.265, WMV, AVI, MOV, MP4, M4V, FLV, MKV etc. Unlike some Mac MP4 players that may generate choppy or improper playback with high-res videos, 5KPlayer serves as a 4K UHD player with full support for 8K/5K/4K UHD, HD 1080P/720P.
Less CPU usage is also noticed even with UHD video. It offers online video downloader and Airplay media streamer.
VLC Media Player
Price: Free
Supported formats: Almost all popular formats, DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs
Ads: Ads-free
VLC Media Player is one of the most popular Mac player for MP4 videos. Its robust features makes it one of 2017 best MP4 player Mac for free. It plays everything you throw at it, be it MP4, AVI, LFV, MOV, WMV, disc image, DVD, CD etc. Its long-term leading position is self-explanatory on its powerful features.
The only thing you may note is that VLC can't play mp4 on Mac smoothly in UHD resolution. Though you can solve this by enable the GPU decoding, which works with H.264 only. There are also users complaining on audio delay problem and outdated interface.
Elmedia Player
Price: Free (paid version available)
Supported formats: Almost all popular formats, HD videos
Ads: Ads-free
To free download 2021 best mp4 video player for macOS, Elmedia Player also stands as a good choice. This player is totally free and safe. A wide range of video/audio formats are supported, including MP4, FLV, WMV, MOV, AVI and more to allow users play MP4 on Mac freely. It surpasses many other competitors for that it integrates an online browser and Airplay streamer.
The player has its drawbacks that it plays mp4 videos in up to HD only, where massive CPU is occupied. Some useful features like online video download is bounded with the Pro version, which is priced at $19.95.
Cisdem Video Player for Mac
Price: Free (paid version available)
Supported formats: 50+ video/audio formats, 4K/5K/HD videos
Ads: Ads-free
Cisdem Video Player is a 100% FREE MP4 player for macOS. It loads videos fast, plays most file formats and runs smoothly with HD/UHD videos without buffering or crashes. You will rarely experience MP4 not paying on Mac problem with the player. You're also allowed to add extra subtitles to the movie directly.
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Comparing with other programs, this video player falls in limited playable formats. Meanwhile, note that it supports El Capitan now and is compatible with the latest macOS.
DivX Player
Price: Free (paid version available)
Supported formats: Most popular formats, Ultra HD 4K Videos
Ads: Ads-supported
DivX Player is a famous 4K media player to play 4K HEVC videos. It plays a variety of formats on Mac, including AVI, DIVX, MKV, MP4 and more. If you want a free Mac MP4 player that gives you the highest playback quality and best compression, DivX Player is undoubtedly the best choice, as it is dedicated for Ultra HD videos. Plus, it has a huge number of additional features.
It will be an even better HD MP4 video player for Mac if there the ads can be removed. Besides, the DivX pack comes large in size and more functions are available with the paid version.
Movist for Mac
Price: Free (paid version available)
Supported formats: Most popular formats, Ultra HD 4K Videos
Ads: Ads-free
If your QuickTime Player can't play MP4 on Mac smoothly, free download MP4 player on Mac Movist. This is a QuickTime alternative video player that plays a plethora of media formats not supported by QuickTime. A wide range of playback navigation options are offered. Most importantly, it has the most flexible subtitle control available, with which you can adjust the subtitles as you like.
Part 2: How to Play MP4 and Any Other Formats on Mac Freely
If you can't play MP4 files on any Mac MP4 players 2019 due to uncommon codecs, or have trouble with other formats, there is another way to allow you play videos in any formats freely in addition to a MP4 video player for Mac: converting videos. For the widest formats supported and highest playback quality, here MacX Video Converter Pro is selected:
- Built in 320+ video and 50+ audio codecs, it converts any MKV, MTS, MOV, AVI, H.264, H.265, HEVC any videos freely to format supported by your player;
- Output videos to any media players, iPhone, iPad, Android and other mobiles;
- Free download MP4 videos, other web files from YouTube, FaceBook, Vimeo, Vevo and 1000 more sites;
- Convert 4K UHD, 8K/5K, HD videos with untouched quality loss;
- No.1 converter with Intel QSV/Nvidia/AMD hardware acceleration support to ensure the fastest video to MP4 conversion speed.
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How to Convert Any Videos for MP4 Video Players on Mac
Step 1: Free download this high-end MP4 video converter on Mac or Windows computer and open it. Then click 'Add File' button to load the MP4 videos not playing on Mac (or any other formats).
Step 2: Choose an output format. To convert videos for any free Mac MP4 player (as well as QuickTime Player), select MP4 H.264 as the output format. (you can also select a compatible video format for iPhone, iPad or Android devices)
Step 3: Click 'Browse' button to select a destination folder and click OK.
Tips: Please do check the Intel box to enable the hardware acceleration tech to boost the mp4 conversion on Mac.
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Step 4: Click 'RUN' button to start converting videos to MP4. Then you can play the output MP4 videos on QuickTime Player or other MP4 video players for macOS.