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MediaInfo alternatives: 2 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 30, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave MediaInfo: read-only: it can't edit or strip metadata, and desktop interface looks dated and is dense for newcomers. We ranked 2 alternatives by how directly each one replaces MediaInfo, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. ExifTool currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	VLC media player	Open source	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux +2	3 of 3	48.1

1. VLC media playerTop pick
Best for: Anyone who wants one free player that opens almost any file on every device
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
48.1
score / 100
Why switch from MediaInfo
Its codec information window covers the basics (codecs, resolution, bitrate) if you already have VLC installed.
Pros
Plays nearly every format without extra codecs
Free and open source, no ads or tracking
Available on desktop and mobile platforms
Cons
Interface looks dated and settings are hard to navigate
Library and metadata features are basic
HDR and high-end video output lag behind mpv-based players
Visit VLC media player Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.346
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1570
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is VLC media player a good MediaInfo alternative?
Verified facts
3 of 3 verified
License
GPL-2.0
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Open source
Yes
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Tagline
Plays everything, runs anywhere
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best MediaInfo alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best MediaInfo alternative for most people

Reads and also writes metadata across photos, video and audio, for when you need to change tags, not just view them.

Best MediaInfo alternative for a free option

VLC media player

Its codec information window covers the basics (codecs, resolution, bitrate) if you already have VLC installed.

Best MediaInfo alternative for open source

Reads and also writes metadata across photos, video and audio, for when you need to change tags, not just view them.

Best MediaInfo alternative for Mac

Reads and also writes metadata across photos, video and audio, for when you need to change tags, not just view them.

Best MediaInfo alternative for Windows

Reads and also writes metadata across photos, video and audio, for when you need to change tags, not just view them.

Best MediaInfo alternative for Linux

Reads and also writes metadata across photos, video and audio, for when you need to change tags, not just view them.

Best MediaInfo alternative for iPhone and Android

VLC media player

Its codec information window covers the basics (codecs, resolution, bitrate) if you already have VLC installed.

MediaInfo alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to MediaInfo?

ExifTool ranks first right now. Reads and also writes metadata across photos, video and audio, for when you need to change tags, not just view them.

Is there a free alternative to MediaInfo?

Yes. ExifTool (open source) and VLC media player (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to MediaInfo?

Yes: ExifTool and VLC media player.

Which MediaInfo alternatives work on Linux?

ExifTool and VLC media player run on Linux.

Why do people switch from MediaInfo?

The complaints we hear most: read-only: it can't edit or strip metadata; desktop interface looks dated and is dense for newcomers; little support for photo EXIF compared with ExifTool.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces MediaInfo, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.