Ranked list · 2026

The 10 Best Media Players in 2026

Ranked by a blend of community upvotes and verified user-review ratings — the top media players our community recommends.

1
VLC media player
Free and open-source media player
Free
Best for: Casual users seeking simplicity
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2
mpv
Free, open-source, and highly scriptable command-line-friendly media player
Free
Best for: Technical users who want top-tier video quality and scripting control in a lightweight player
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3
MPC-HC (Media Player Classic – Home Cinema)
Lightweight, classic video player for Windows
Free
Best for: Windows users needing lightweight, no‑bloat video playback
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4
Infuse
Universal video player for Apple devices with automatic metadata
Freemium
Best for: Apple device owners who want to play any video format with automatic artwork and metadata.
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5
iina
Modern media player for macOS
Free
Best for: macOS users seeking customization
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6
NewPipe
A libre lightweight streaming front-end for Android
Free
Best for: Low-end Android devices
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7
Kodi
Open-source media center for all your entertainment needs
Free
Best for: DIY home‑theater fans wanting a free, highly customizable media hub
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8
Jellyfin
Free, open-source media server for streaming your own movies, music, and shows
Free
Best for: Anyone who wants a free, self-hosted alternative to commercial streaming for their own media collection
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9
Elmedia Player
Mac media player with broad format support and one-click streaming to Apple TV and Chromecast.
Freemium
Best for: Mac users who need to play obscure video formats and cast them to a TV without converting files.
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10
FreeTube
A private, ad-free desktop client for watching YouTube without an account or tracking.
Free
Best for: Anyone who wants to watch YouTube ad-free and without Google tracking or an account.
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How this ranking works

Each product is scored by combining community upvotes with its average user-review rating (weighted by the number of reviews), so both popularity and real satisfaction count. Rankings update automatically as the community votes and reviews. Explore all Media Players or browse more ranked lists.

Get updates on the best Media Players

Rankings shift as the community votes and reviews. We'll send the notable changes once a week.