## Key Takeaways - **Elmedia Player is the best video player for Mac overall.** It supports 70+ formats, handles subtitles smoothly, streams to Chromecast and DLNA devices, and offers both free and Pro features for advanced control. - **Movist Pro is ideal for HDR and subtitle precision.** It delivers strong playback quality, automatic HDR tone mapping, multiple subtitle tracks, and detailed customization for cinephiles. - **VLC is the best free, all-purpose option.** It plays almost any format including MKV, AVI, and MP4, works across platforms, and covers everyday playback needs without cost. - **Choose based on your viewing habits.** QuickTime works for basic MP4 files. DivX suits specific formats. OmniPlayer offers a polished UI and GIF tools. Pick your player based on format support, subtitle control, streaming, and performance. - **You can try premium players risk-free via Setapp.** [Elmedia Player](https://setapp.com/apps/elmedia-player), [Movist Pro](https://setapp.com/apps/movist-pro), and [Permute](https://setapp.com/apps/permute) are available with a [7-day free trial on Setapp](https://my.setapp.com/signup). ## Choosing the best video player for Mac: Key features and options I know there are dozens of multimedia players for Mac, and [I’ve reviewed many of them](https://setapp.com/app-reviews/how-we-evaluate-apps) — honestly, a lot are really good. But instead of giving you an endless list, I’m going to share my top 5 picks. These are the most practical options I’ve found, each suited to different use cases, and together they should cover most people’s needs. | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Let's compare!** | **Best features** | **Best for** | **Supported formats** | **Price** | | **QuickTime Player** | AirPlay streaming. Basic editing (trim, split). | Casual users needing simple playback | Limited (MP4, MOV, M4V) | Free | | [**Movist Pro**](https://setapp.com/apps/movist-pro) | Watching web videos with Safari extension. Multiple subtitle tracks. | Cinephiles prioritizing high quality | Moderate (MKV, AVI, MP4, etc.) | Available on Setapp* | | [**Elmedia Player**](https://setapp.com/apps/elmedia-player) | Wide format support. Streaming to Chromecast/DLNA. | Enthusiasts needing customization | Extensive (70+) | Available on Setapp* | | **VLC Media Player** | Near-universal format support. Cross-platform compatibility. | Power users needing versatility | Extensive (70+) | Free | | **DivX Player** | Playlist management. Cloud streaming. | Home media enthusiasts | Moderate (AVI, DivX, MKV, MP4) | Free; $16 (Pro) | | **OmniPlayer** | Screenshot/GIF creation. YouTube/Vimeo ad-free playback. | Users seeking a nice UI | Extensive (40+ video, 20+ audio) | Free; from $3.99/mo (Pro) | \* _[Setapp](https://setapp.com/) is a subscription platform with over 250 apps for macOS and iOS. 7 days are free._ ### Movist Pro: Advanced video player for Mac users Since you’ve already paid a lot of money for your gorgeous retina Mac screen, it would be a waste not to use it to its maximum potential. And when you want things to work at the highest level when it comes to choosing the best video player for Mac, you can’t go wrong with Movist Pro. [Movist Pro](https://setapp.com/apps/movist-pro) puts all the possible control over your viewing experience right in your hands. It lets you choose from a few decoders, easily switch between light and dark modes, and control your subtitles (with an option to add more than one subtitle track at once). *In terms of other interesting features, Movist Pro automatically adjusts the colors on your non-HDR monitor to match an HDR video.* **What I like:** - Video window can be pinned on top of other windows - Supports multiple subtitle tracks displayed simultaneously - Allows customization of letterbox space for subtitles - Subtitles can be voiced over - Light on CPU - All playback controls are easily accessible ### Elmedia Player: Versatile Mac video and audio player If you want a full-featured Mac video and audio player with a little bit of everything, [Elmedia Player](https://setapp.com/apps/elmedia-player) is the best. The app supports virtually any audio and video format (over 70 if you want a precise number) and, using accelerated decoding, is able to smooth out otherwise choppy HD video files. Elmedia Player offers a generous free version. With it, you can search for subtitles, edit or upload external subtitle files, adjust playback speed, and synchronize audio and video when they’re out of sync. The Pro version unlocks even more useful features — like the ability to take screenshots directly from playing videos. **What I like:** - Includes a video tuner and audio equalizer - Allows you to save subtitles from opensubtitles.com - Supports streaming local files to Chromecast, DLNA devices, Smart TVs, and Apple TV - Can automatically sync subtitles with video - Can float on top of other windows ### VLC: Free, open-source Mac video player VLC (stands for VideoLAN Client) is generally known for being able to play a wide variety of video formats: so an MKV player for Mac and MP4 player for Mac all in one. It is capable of playing files from discs, audio CDs, VCDs, and more. While an external audio support is not there, VLC boasts robust subtitle integration that’s able to change text size, text color, background opacity, and much more. **What I like:** - Simple interface that isn’t cluttered with unnecessary features - Uses your MacBook’s GPU and CPU smartly without overloading the system - Doesn’t have ads - Supports subtitle synchronization ### DivX player for Mac: Free with optional pro upgrade A more specialized option among many is the DivX Mac video player, which beautifully handles all DivX files but also includes codecs to support other formats. **What I like:** - Streams videos, photos, and music to DLNA-compatible devices like Xbox, PlayStation, and Chromecast - Allows switching between audio tracks in different languages without interrupting playback - Built-in media library helps you organize and track your videos - Most features are free ### OmniPlayer: User-friendly video player for Mac In my opinion, OmniPlayer is one of the neatest and most visually appealing media players out there. It supports over 40 video formats and more than 20 audio formats, making it capable of handling almost any media file on macOS. **What I like:** - Allows you to take screenshots and generate GIFs up to 60 seconds - Supports DLNA, Chromecast, and Roku Channel - Plays YouTube and Vimeo videos without online ads - Helps sync video and audio when they’re out of sync ### FAQ **What is the best video player for Mac?** The best video player for Mac is [Elmedia Player](https://setapp.com/apps/elmedia-player), thanks to its wide range of supported formats. [Movist Pro](https://setapp.com/apps/movist-pro) is a great choice if you want HDR playback and advanced subtitle controls. If you prefer a free option, VLC is trustworthy, open-source, and easy to use. **How can I play MKV or AVI files on Mac?** Yes, you can play MKV or AVI files on a Mac. The easiest way is to download a third-party app like [Elmedia Player](https://setapp.com/apps/elmedia-player) or VLC. **Is VLC the best MP4 player for Mac?** Yes, VLC is one of the best MP4 players for Mac. It’s free, open-source, and supports virtually any file type. **Can I stream videos from YouTube or other platforms on a Mac video player?** Yes. Apps like OmniPlayer let you stream YouTube or Vimeo videos directly in the app.