Best Video Player for Mac & Things to Consider [Detailed Guide]

It is challenging to play thousands of formats on macOS, particularly because most players only provide a limited amount of compatibility. 

The best video player for Mac, which is the most accessible and feature-rich available online will be included in this post. 

It also covers the features you may be searching for in a player: advanced playback options, a user-friendly interface, and compatibility with various file formats. 

Check them out now!

Which video player is best for Mac?

Best Video Player for Mac

Despite the abundance of the best streaming video player, we've researched and compiled a list of the top picks for the best video player Mac.

They include VLC Media Player, Wondershare Filmora, 5K Player, GOM Media Player, and Plex Video Player.

VLC Media Player

A cross-platform, open-source multimedia video player for Mac called VLC can play VCDs, DVDs, and Audio CDs in addition to most multimedia files.

You can watch 8K resolution 360-degree videos with it as well. 

With support for several video compression methods, this program is among the best Mac video players available.

For further knowledge, it is one of the best video player for Android as well.

VLC Media Player is a video player for Mac free

Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora is a video editor and player combined into one, which enables Mac users to have a smooth experience when watching movies on any platform. 

When it comes to video players, it offers a wide range of features that let them modify and organize videos to improve their watching experience. 

With this macOS video player's simple interface, users may also conduct several complex editing functions.

Wondershare Filmora is among the Mac best video players

5K Player

Another best video player for macOS is 5K Player, which seamlessly combines an HD video player, music player, and free AirPlay media streamer. 

The most important feature is that videos with resolutions of 4K, 5K, and 1080P can be played on it. 

Grab the newest version of 5K Player right away, and use your iPhone to begin streaming classic tunes and stunning videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and other sources.

5K Player is a free video player for Mac

GOM Media Player

To play a video, use the free and open-source GOM Media Player software.

The MPG, MKV, FLV, AVI, and many other file types are supported by this Mac OS video player.

Besides, watching 360-degree video views is beneficial (a sort of video recording where every direction is recorded utilizing cameras).

GOM Media Player is a well-known video player macOS

Plex Video Player

Plex Video Player is a feature-rich media server application that can flawlessly scan and arrange all types of media on your computer.

It includes streaming music and managing playlists in addition to web video.

Also, this video player Mac OS functions as a video player that supports almost all video formats and 4K resolutions. 

When necessary, the computer transcodes the formats automatically, so there's no need to do it yourself.

Plex Video Player is one of the best video player in Mac

► Read more: Best video player for Windows 11

How to Select a Good Video Player for Mac?

If you're a Mac user looking for the best video player on Mac to view your videos on, then keep in mind these crucial elements:

• Supported formats: Given that the Mac's built-in player cannot support several common video file formats, this is the most important criterion.

• Compatibility: Video resolutions up to 4K should be supported by any video player Mac, and it should work with the most recent version of macOS.

• Feature set: What sets the best macOS video player apart from the others is a fantastic feature set, including synchronized subtitles, customization options, and audio/video filters.

• User interface & experience: While video player software for Mac should maintain its user-friendliness and have an appealing and simple design, having a lot of functions might make it more complex to operate.

• Affordability: Though most Mac video players are free, some charge for additional functionality. If you choose to buy an app in that case, it must provide the most value for your money.

Tips to pick the top video player for Mac

Does Mac Have a Built-In Video Player?

QuickTime is a free and simple-to-use default video player Mac that was released by Apple in 2009. 

Playing videos, music, photos, and panoramic images is a breeze with QuickTime as it supports a multitude of media types. 

High-tech video compression is also included in QuickTime Player. It can lower the utilization of bandwidth and efficiently handle HD video storage.

Put otherwise, using the QuickTime player will make your watching experience more seamless.

QuickTime is a default Mac video player

Do I Need a Different Media Player on Mac?

If you are looking for the macOS best video player, you have likely encountered issues when attempting to view videos using Quicktime Player.

You are most definitely not alone.

Despite being a Mac OS default video player, QuickTime appears outdated when compared to competing video players. 

This Mac built-in tool's UI appears repetitive because it hasn't been updated in a while.

Another reason you might want to change the default video player Mac is because it doesn't have any upgraded features like automated downloads, customizable subtitles, online video streaming, etc. 

The newest best free Mac video players frequently have these state-of-the-art features. 

Reasons for Mac change default video player

Last but not least, QuickTime doesn't support many video formats, causing you to stop using it.

Instead, the alternative video player for Mac discussed in this post supports various file types, such as MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, etc. 

Also, they offer extra features for managing playlists, personalizing your movie-watching experience, and mirroring material across devices that are not compatible with Quicktime.