This post presents the Best Video Players for Firestick, Fire TV, Android TV Box, PC, and Mac. With plenty of video players available for download, it’s a challenge to find a video player that meets cord-cutting requirements. TROYPOINT has selected the best tools compatible with your devices including smartphones and tablets.
Take note that some of the video players in this list can be installed on a vast number of devices including the most popular streaming device, the Amazon Firestick.
If you have a jailbroken firestick, they may also work with almost all streaming apps available.
This post is categorized into the following sections:
- The Best Video Player Features
- Copyright Issues
- List of the Best Video Players for Firestick, Fire TV, Android TV Box, PC and Mac
- Frequently Asked Questions about Video Players for Firestick, Fire TV, Android TV Box, PC and Mac
The Best Video Player Features
TROYPOINT has come up with a list of the best video players based on the following criteria:
- Compatibility with multiple devices
- Easy download and access
- Size (preferably lightweight)
- Support for most video (and audio) file formats
- Ease of use
- Media synchronization
- Basic playback, play/pause and seek features
- Time display
- Video quality and screen display (normal and full)
- Volume control
- Other extra features such as captions/subtitles, watermark, multilingual audio options, playlists, etc.
Copyright Issues
Copyright issues for movies and TV programs have been a persistent problem in the industry. Generally, all content that you purchase, rent, or borrow must be used for private viewing only. This means that you are highly discouraged to rip, reproduce, copy and distribute copyrighted videos from sources and also play them on your video player.
There are specific limits to fair use rights since it is, as its name implies, a right and not a privilege.
However, certain films and motion pictures have become a public domain for many different reasons.
Whether they were released without copyright notices, did not register with the Library of Congress, or failed to renew copyright licensing, these movies are now available for the public to stream or download for free.
TROYPOINT has come up with a list of the best public domain movies for you to watch.
The Best Public Domain Movies and How to Watch Them
While public domain movies are always available for viewing, a VPN is strongly suggested to watch other forms of content.
With a VPN installed on your device, you will be able to stream all your favorite content without worrying about your ISP (Internet Service Provider) monitoring what you are watching.
Best Video Players
MX Player
MX Player was created for use on Android devices such as smartphones and tablets.
However, it is also available for use on any streaming device that supports Android software. If you’re a cord-cutter who uses streaming services such as Cinema APK and others, then you’ve most likely used this player.
Another reason why streamers love using MX Player is that it features subtitles and advanced hardware acceleration. Oftentimes, using MX Player will result in little to no buffering for all your Movie and TV Show selections too.
VLC Media Player
VLC is the go-to app when it comes to playing content through a third-party player for years. Appreciated by users for its simplicity but highly reliable features, the app plays most types of codecs and runs on all platforms from Windows to Unix.
This free and open-source multimedia player also plays on different streaming protocols without flashing ads or in-app purchase requirements. This means viewers enjoy uninterrupted entertainment using the app.
Learn how to Install VLC Media Player
Visit the Official VLC Website
TPlayer
TPlayer is a well-known video player often used with apps like TeaTV. This player is compatible with Amazon Firestick, Fire TV, Android, iOS, and other devices.
Check out our TPlayer tutorial for insights and installation steps for this video player.
Plex
Plex is a user-friendly app with features like remote access and sharing. It supports various video and music file formats for playback. With enhanced remote access, streaming content across devices is more convenient by syncing your media libraries.
The free version of Plex includes media organization, casting, and support for different media formats. Opt for additional features like recording over-the-air shows with a monthly subscription or a lifetime package.
Discover How to Use Plex Like a Boss
FX Player
FIPE’s FX Player excels at playing high-resolution videos with minimal bugs. Its subtitle feature allows customization during playback, supporting various subtitle formats. You can even use the pop-up player mode for multitasking on mobile devices.
The player’s Mirror Mode facilitates easy following of exercise videos with reverse image playback. Secure your private videos by storing them in the Incognito Folder for privacy.
Visit the Official FX Player Website
BSPlayer
BSPlayer is ideal for users with less powerful CPUs. It is lightweight yet reliable, supporting HD and AVCHD movies, and diverse video and audio formats. The free version offers global keyboard keys, custom playback modes, and UI skins.
Upgrade to BSPlayer Pro for additional features like minimized network buffering, capture and tuner device support, teletext support, and more, available at EUR 29.90 with license renewal at EUR 19.90.
BSPlayer is trusted by over 70 million users worldwide and is available in over 90 languages.
Visit the Official BSPlayer Website
PlayerXtreme Media Player
PlayerXtreme Media Player caters to entertainment needs across various devices. It supports numerous video formats and subtitle types, while having hardware acceleration for an enhanced viewing experience.
Enjoy seamless playback from servers like Plex, Kodi, or PS3. Utilize the features for a better media experience.
Visit the Official PlayerXtreme Media Player Website
XPlayer
XPlayer is highly rated on the Google Play store for its impressive features. With support for 4K videos, casting, subtitle downloads, and file management, it offers a premium viewing experience.
Though it’s free with no paid version, its quality features make it a top choice for many users.
I struggle with ads that keep popping up sporadically. If you’re looking for a solution, consider downloading XPlayer on Google Play Store. For Mac users, Elmedia Player stands out with its support for native macOS full-screen mode and compatibility with popular video formats like AVI, FLV, MP4, WMV, DivX, and MKV. Users can capture precise screenshots of playing videos easily.
Elmedia Player also offers features like de-interlace to remove horizontal stripes from low-quality videos, native volume control, external tracks integration, a 10-band graphic equalizer, and noise reduction. Another option is the AC3 Player available on Google Play Store. KMPlayer is recognized for its high-quality video support for 4K, 8K, UHD, and 60FPS, a variety of media file formats, an upgraded music player, and 64-bit video renderer. The Mac version offers video playback using built-in codec, multilingual support, external subtitle file support, and image processing. Mobile users can benefit from mini-popup mode, URL movie playback, and high-definition movie playback from HD to 4K, UHD, and Full HD. Check out the official KMPlayer website for more information.
Vimu provides a minimalist UI with support for various media formats such as AVI, MKV, MP4, MOV, MPEGTS, and VOB. Features include audio and subtitle switching, quick search on DLNA server index or local directory, and casting on Fire TV or Android TV. To play content, a compatible server on your PC or NAS is required. UPnP/DLNA is the most convenient method, and for Windows computers, use the SMB protocol for file sharing. Unfortunately, Vimu cannot connect to the default OS X file service at present, so users may need to download SMBUp to ensure compatibility. Visit the official Vimu Website for further details.
Radiant Media Player is a top choice for native HTML5 video and audio playback. It offers a task-focused UI, robust monetization options, Chromecast support, and low latency live streaming. Discover more about Radiant Media Player through their official website.Rendering capabilities, configurable skins, and advanced CSS tuning are just some of the features offered by the video player, along with automatic translation labeling and support for Oculus to enhance the virtual reality experience. Additionally, it boasts picture-in-picture functionality, advanced player configuration options, web-based mobile apps for Android and iOS, and Fire TV support. It is a paid video player with a 14-day trial period, and after that, users can opt to pay $60 per month for either the RMP Edition or the PLATFORM Edition.
Lime Player gained popularity when Showbox users needed it for continued streaming. This player supports a wide range of formats like AVI, MP3, WAV, AAC, and many others, including various subtitle formats. Its user interface displays thumbnails of all video files, making browsing content easier. You can download Lime Player on Google Play.
Users have likened Wuffy Player to VLC due to its reliability and straightforward UI. It supports multiple video formats, includes hardware acceleration with an internal decoder, and offers features like multi-track audio and subtitles, automatic screen rotation for mobile devices, and easy screen controls. The official Wuffy Player website may redirect to Google; use this Google Play Store link to download instead.
Can a damaged file still be played? Not all video players can do that but GOM Player (short for Gretech Online Movie Player) can fix just that. The Codec Finder service allows users to search for missing codecs. It offers features like an extensive subtitle library (collected for more than a decade already!), capture capability, A-B repeat, audio and video effects, and speed control. The January 2020 update includes default preference settings, while the previous year focused on fixing bugs, improving search and storage functionalities, and fixing multi-line subtitle issues. The paid version, GOM Player Plus, provides the same functions but with additional features such as ad-free playing, improved 4K UHD playback options, and user-friendly design. Official GOM Player Website
Media Player Classic Home Cinema
Make no mistake about the MPC-HC player. It prides itself as an extremely lightweight, open-source media player built for Windows. It supports all common video and audio file formats available for playback and is 100% spyware-free, ensuring viewers are not bothered by advertisements or unnecessary toolbars. The last update was made in 2017 (at the time of writing), but the functionality of this player has continued to impress fans. I’ve enjoyed customizing the toolbar’s skins and even using it for playing movies. Official Media Player Classic Home Cinema website
SMPlayer
For Windows and Linux users, the SMPlayer is a heavy favorite as it uses the award-winning MPlayer as the playback engine. Built-in codecs allow for the playback of most video formats, eliminating the need for time-consuming codec package installations. It is fully customizable, supports subtitles from opensubtitles.org, offers video and audio filters, playback speed controls, and multiple language support. One standout feature I like about this player is its memory settings, which allow it to resume playing at the same point with the same settings if the device is turned off during a movie. Official SMPlayer Website
RealPlayer
With more than 1 million downloads, RealPlayer has been a trusted choice for years. The free version offers web video downloads, file format conversion, video trimming, SD streaming quality, photo, and video sharing capabilities. Users can make RealPlayer Stories up to 30 seconds long with basic Story customization features, allowing photos and videos to be combined into a 30-second movie for viewing by friends and family. The paid version is available for a one-time fee of $39.99 for PCs (advanced features without cloud storage) or through monthly subscription plans of $4.99 and $9.99 for the Premium and 100 GB plans, respectively, all of which allow unlimited RealPlayer Stories length. Official RealPlayer Website
ACG Player
If you’re a Windows 10 user, ACG Player may be the right tool for you. This free, ad-free media player features customized panel buttons, gestures, UI buttons, and supports most common formats. Although considered a minimalist player by many, it offers touchscreen swipe control, audio and video effects, background music, speed control, and customizable art font subtitles. One notable feature I appreciate is its memory settings feature that ensures the movie resumes at the same point with the same settings if the device is turned off in the middle of watching. Official ACG Player page
DivX Player
For stunning high-quality video playback up to 4K with casting features for free, DivX Player is an ideal choice. It supports multiple video formats, including DivX, MKV, and HEVC up to 4K, along with multiple audio and video formats.Subtitle tracks are available in several formats, and the software can convert video formats into DivX, MKV, HEVC, and MP4 files. Additionally, it offers the functionality to cast videos, music, and photos to any DLNA-compatible device.
I particularly appreciate the media library’s feature, allowing me to organize all my video files easily. The premium version, DivX Pro, provides cloud connectivity for seamless importing from Google Drive and Dropbox, an ad-free experience, and AC3 audio playback.
5KPlayer
The 5KPlayer boasts a clean and minimalistic user interface, but it’s more than just a multimedia player. This free HD video player supports MKV files and doubles as a music player, a DLNA-enabled media streamer, and an online video downloader. It is equipped with proprietary AirPlay technology for instant screen mirroring to Apple TV.
The software also claims to connect numerous DLNA-compliant devices for seamless operation. Users can enjoy playing HDR 4K/8K videos in formats like MP4, H.265/264, VP8/VP9, MTS, MKV, and VR 360° on both Windows 10 and macOS Mojave. Moreover, it includes a built-in radio player ideal for users on the go.
Best Video Players FAQ
How Can I Play Videos at the Highest Quality?
Firstly, ensure the video quality is set to HD and then adjust the settings to maximize the video quality.
What Are Video Players?
Video Players are media players that enable streaming content to your preferred device with various customization options.
What is the Best Free Video Player?
Though many video players require a paid subscription, some quality free options exist. One of the recommended free video players is MX Player.
Why Are the Subtitles Not Displayed Correctly?
If subtitles appear as boxes or strange symbols, it may be due to issues such as broken subtitles, illegitimate sources, incorrect fonts, or incompatibility with the player (like not using UTF-8 text encoding for VLC).