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MediaElement.js

MediaElement.js is a free HTML5 audio and video library that gives supported media a common player interface across browsers.

Place
#8 of 42
Score
6.8
MediaElement.js's website

What MediaElement.js is

MediaElement.js is a free HTML5 audio and video library that gives supported media a common player interface across browsers. It includes a complete audio/video player built with HTML and CSS, along with a shared MediaElement API. Supported files and streams include MP4, WebM, MP3, HLS, and DASH; embedded sources include YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, DailyMotion, Facebook, and SoundCloud. The product site says its video player complies with WCAG 2.1, BITV 2.0, and EN 301 549 accessibility requirements. Captions, subtitles, and chapters can use HTML track elements with SRT or VTT files, but caption files need to be hosted on the same domain as the player for cross-browser handling. Installation options include packages, CDN, Git, npm, Bower, and Meteor. Usage documentation covers standalone JavaScript, jQuery, RequireJS, and React, as well as WordPress and Drupal integration. The project lists browser support including IE11+, Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, iOS 8+, and Android 4.0+. It is MIT-licensed.

Good

  • Free and MIT-licensed.
  • Supports MP4, WebM, MP3, HLS, and DASH.
  • Embeds six listed video and audio services.
  • Includes support for captions, subtitles, and chapters.
  • Add-ons include Chromecast, AirPlay, and playback speed.

Watch out

  • Caption files need to share the player's domain.
  • jQuery plugin use requires importing jQuery.
  • Non-native plugins must be loaded separately.

Who it suits

It suits developers who need a shared audio/video player interface across supported media sources and browsers. Its installation and usage options cover several web development setups.

Verdict

MediaElement.js offers a common player API and interface for a broad set of media sources. Developers should account for its caption-hosting rule and separate plugin loading where needed.

Plans and prices

From MediaElement.js's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
MediaElement.jsFreeMIT-licensed HTML5 audio/video player library · install via package, CDN, Git, npm, Bower or Meteor

The facts

Each one read from MediaElement.js's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Accessibility
The product site says its video player complies with WCAG 2.1, BITV 2.0, and EN 301 549 accessibility requirements.checked 7 Oct 2026
Caption hosting limit
For cross-browser caption handling, the guide says caption files must be on the same domain as the player because parsing uses an AJAX request.checked 7 Oct 2026
Captions
The installation guide documents closed captions, subtitles and chapters using HTML track elements with SRT or VTT files.checked 7 Oct 2026
CMS integration
The installation guide says MediaElement.js is incorporated into WordPress core and documents integration with Drupal.checked 7 Oct 2026
Creator
The product site says MediaElement.js was created by John Dyer at Dallas Theological Seminary.checked 7 Oct 2026
Embedded players
The official site lists YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, DailyMotion, Facebook and SoundCloud as embeddable player sources.checked 7 Oct 2026
Installation
The installation guide lists package download, CDN, Git, npm, Bower, and Meteor installation options.checked 7 Oct 2026
Integration
The usage guide documents standalone JavaScript, jQuery, npm/Meteor, RequireJS, and React usage.checked 7 Oct 2026
License
The project repository identifies the software license as MIT.checked 7 Oct 2026
Media formats
The project describes support for MP4, WebM, MP3, HLS and DASH media.checked 7 Oct 2026
Media support
The site lists MP4 and MP3 media files, HLS and MPEG-DASH streams, and embedded players including YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, DailyMotion, Facebook, and SoundCloud.checked 7 Oct 2026
Notable requirement
The usage guide says jQuery must be imported to use the jQuery mediaelementplayer plugin, and non-native plugins must be loaded separately.checked 7 Oct 2026
Playback formats
The repository describes support for MP4, WebM, MP3, HLS, DASH, YouTube, Facebook, and SoundCloud.checked 7 Oct 2026
Player
The project includes a complete HTML and CSS audio/video player built on top of MediaElement.js.checked 7 Oct 2026
Player API
The project provides a common HTML5 MediaElement API for supported media sources.checked 7 Oct 2026
Plugins
The plugin repository lists add-ons including Chromecast, AirPlay, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, playlists, ads, captions accessibility, and playback speed.checked 7 Oct 2026
Product
MediaElement.js is an HTML5 audio and video library that provides a unified player interface across browsers.checked 7 Oct 2026
Purpose
MediaElement.js is an HTML5 audio and video player framework that provides a consistent interface across browsers.checked 7 Oct 2026
Support
The product site directs users with accessibility concerns to create an issue on GitHub.checked 7 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Browser support
The repository says the library generally supports IE11+, Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, iOS 8+, and Android 4.0+.checked 7 Oct 2026

The company

Maker
The official site says MediaElement.js was created by John Dyer at Dallas Theological Seminary.checked 7 Oct 2026

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