QMPlay2

QMPlay2 is a free video and audio player for Windows, Linux and macOS. It suits desktop viewers and listeners who want broad FFmpeg format support alongside options for streaming and hardware decoding. Its range is appealing, but platform-specific caveats make it a less straightforward choice if you need Windows XP updates, an AppImage, or an Android package.

Overview

QMPlay2 handles video and audio formats supported by FFmpeg, as well as Audio CDs, raw files and chiptunes. That breadth makes it useful for mixed media libraries and less common audio sources, rather than just routine video playback. Network playback and subtitle support add practical flexibility.

Its integrations extend beyond local files: it includes a YouTube browser, can work with Streamlink, and offers an optional Last.fm scrobbling extension. YouTube playback requires yt-dlp, which QMPlay2 can download automatically. Streamlink setup and Last.fm account configuration make those features more appealing to users willing to configure their player than to anyone seeking a zero-setup streaming hub.

Key features

• Broad media support: FFmpeg-supported formats and codecs, Audio CDs, raw files and chiptunes cover varied libraries and listening habits.
• Video decoding and processing: Hardware decoding options include Vulkan Video, NVIDIA CUVID, Windows DXVA2 and D3D11VA, Linux/BSD VA-API, and macOS VideoToolBox. Spherical view, automatic interlace detection and deinterlacing filters give users additional ways to handle particular video sources.
• Online playback: The built-in YouTube browser requires yt-dlp for playback, while Streamlink can be used with QMPlay2 as the player. These are useful additions, though they depend on separate tools or setup.
• Audio and desktop integration: An optional Last.fm extension scrobbles playback with a configured login and password. Linux/BSD users also get documented multimedia-key controls and MPRIS2 commands.
• Community support: Issues and Discussions provide places to report problems and ask questions.

Pricing

QMPlay2 is free: its Free plan costs nothing and provides the video and audio player. No paid plans are stated, so there is no paid tier to weigh against its capabilities. The project identifies its license as LGPL-3.0.

Platforms

QMPlay2 supports Linux, macOS and Windows, but the practical fit depends on the release. The latest macOS release requires Big Sur or higher and provides a universal x86_64 and arm64 binary. Linux users can follow distribution-specific installation instructions, but an AppImage is no longer provided.

Windows XP builds lack updates and MediaBrowser; the offline build lacks updates and most network services. Those are meaningful compromises for users who depend on older Windows or want offline installation without losing network features. The experimental Android package is no longer provided, so QMPlay2 is not a current choice for Android playback. GitHub reports no security policy and no published security advisories.

Who it's for

QMPlay2 is a strong fit for desktop users who value wide codec and media-type coverage, hardware-decoding options, and configurable links to YouTube, Streamlink or Last.fm. It is less suitable for Android users, Mac users below Big Sur, people who require an AppImage, or Windows XP users who need current updates and MediaBrowser.

Pros and cons

• Pro: FFmpeg-supported formats plus Audio CDs, raw files and chiptunes make it useful across varied video and audio collections.
• Pro: Hardware decoding options span the major desktop operating systems, giving users platform-specific acceleration paths.
• Pro: YouTube, Streamlink and optional Last.fm integrations broaden its use beyond local playback.
• Con: YouTube playback depends on yt-dlp, and Streamlink and Last.fm involve additional setup.
• Con: No current AppImage or experimental Android package narrows its convenience for those platforms.
• Con: Older Windows and offline builds give up updates and, depending on the build, MediaBrowser or most network services.

Alternatives

Consider mpv if you want a free player with wide media-format, codec and subtitle support and do not mind a command-line interface; it also runs on Android. For a Windows media player with an explicitly free tier, ALLPlayer is another option, though its AI Voice-Over requires a paid package. SMPlayer is a free, open-source alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows.

RealPlayer offers a free tier with 720p video downloads, no cloud storage, and in-product ads and upsells. 5KPlayer is another free option for iOS, macOS and Windows, with no subscription required. For Apple-device users who want a paid upgrade path, Infuse offers a Pro monthly plan at $1.99 a month, with a free 7-day trial, additional video formats and high-resolution Dolby and DTS-HD audio.

MediaElement.js is a free, MIT-licensed option across web, self-hosted and several mobile platforms. reEmbed offers a free player. Browse more options in Video Player Software or Media Player Software.

Verdict

Choose QMPlay2 if you want a free desktop player that combines broad FFmpeg-based playback with Audio CD and chiptune support, hardware-decoding choices, and optional streaming and scrobbling integrations. Its strongest case is that breadth; look elsewhere if you need Android support, an AppImage, or a current, fully network-capable build for older Windows.