18.3
foobar2000 is a free audio player for desktop and mobile systems, with support for network playback and a wide range of audio formats.
Free planAndroidiOSAPI
Best Media Player Software in 2026
Media player software plays audio and video; the right choice depends on platform support and the playback features you need. Compare Android availability first if you want to use a player on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or tablet. Check support for network playback, subtitles, formats, hardware acceleration and 4K playback. Also compare free plans, paid starting prices and licence models; platform support does not…
28.2
Volumio brings music files and streaming services together in a music player platform for Linux, Raspberry Pi, PC, web browsers, iOS, and Android.
Free planAndroidiOSWeb
38.1
Infuse is a video player from Firecore for Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and Vision.
Free planiOSmacOS
- 4
mpv
mpv is a free, open-source media player designed for command-line use.
Free planAndroidAPILinuxmacOS7.9Free plan - 5
Audirvāna
Audirvāna is music playback software for local libraries and network playback, available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.
AndroidiOSLinuxmacOS7.7From $6,999 a year - 6
MediaPortal
MediaPortal is free, open-source software for turning a Windows PC into a multimedia center or home theater PC.
Free planAndroidiOSWebWindows7.6Free plan - 7
Haihaisoft Universal Player
Free planAndroidiOSWebmacOS7.6Free plan - 8
5KPlayer
5KPlayer is a free media player for Windows, macOS, and iOS, with playback, streaming, downloading, radio, and library features presented without a subscription.
Free planiOSmacOSWindows7.5Free plan - 9
Winamp for Artists
Free planAndroidiOSWeb7.5From €12.99 a month - 10
7.4 - 11
QMPlay2
QMPlay2 is a video and audio player for formats supported by FFmpeg, along with Audio CDs, raw files, and chiptunes.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.4Free plan - 12
Music Player Daemon
Music Player Daemon (MPD) is a free, GPL-licensed server application for playing music.
Free planAndroidAPILinuxmacOS7.4Free plan - 13
Fidelia
Free planiOSmacOS7.4Free plan - 14
RealPlayer
RealPlayer 25 is a PC media player and organizer for downloading, playing, and managing video and other media.
Free planAndroidiOSmacOSWindows7.4From $4.99 a month - 15
VLC media player
VLC media player is a free media player for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
AndroidiOSLinuxmacOS7.3 - 16
Zoom Player
AndroidWindows7.3$19.95 one-time - 17
Neutron Music Player
AndroidiOSWindows7.3$12.99 one-time - 18
SMPlayer
SMPlayer is a free, open-source media player for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.2Free plan - 19
BS.Player
BS.Player is a media player for Windows and Android with network playback, subtitle support, and hardware acceleration.
Free planAndroidWindows7.2From €29.90 a month - 20
7.2Free plan - 21
AnyTV
Free planAndroidiOSmacOS7.2Free plan - 22
RealPlayer
Free planAndroidiOSmacOSWindows7.1Free plan - 23
jetAudio
Free planAndroidWindows7.1Free plan - 24
Exaile
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.1Free plan - 25
netjukebox
Free planiOSWebLinuxmacOS7.1Free plan
Choosing well
Which platforms does it need to run on?
Start with Android support if you want a player on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone or tablet. Then check whether you need web, Windows, iPhone or iPad, Mac, or Linux support.
Platform availability can differ by product. Check the individual listing for the systems you use.
Which playback features should I compare?
Compare network playback, subtitle support, format support, hardware acceleration and 4K playback against what you need to play.
A feature appearing in the comparison does not mean a particular player supports it; check that player's details.
How can I compare free and paid options?
Check whether a player has a free plan, what its paid plan starts at, and whether a free trial is offered. A free plan and a free trial are different pricing details.
For example, mpv, foobar2000 and SMPlayer are listed with free plans. Infuse is listed with a free plan, paid pricing from $1.99 per month and a 7-day trial.
Does the licence model matter?
Check the licence model if you need to know how software may be used or changed. Do not assume a free player is open source; compare the licence details directly.
Questions people ask
Which media players work on Android phones?
Check the platform details for Android support before choosing. Android availability does not by itself indicate Xiaomi- or HyperOS-specific support.
What media player features should I look for?
Compare network playback, subtitles, supported formats, hardware acceleration and 4K playback with your needs.
Can I use the same media player on my phone and computer?
Check the platform list for the specific player. Support for Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, web and iOS varies by product.
Are free media players open source?
Not necessarily. Compare the licence model directly; a free plan and an open-source licence are different things.
How do free plans differ from free trials for media players?
A free plan is listed separately from a time-limited trial. Compare both details, along with the paid starting price, for the player you are considering.