AppBreakup
Submit an app

QuickTime Player alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave QuickTime Player: no MKV, AVI or WMV support, and very limited subtitle handling. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces QuickTime Player, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. IINA currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1VLC media player logoVLC media playerOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +23 of 362.6
  1. VLC media player logo

    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

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from QuickTime Player

    Free and plays almost every format QuickTime refuses.

    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 ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is VLC media player a good QuickTime Player 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 QuickTime Player alternative for…

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

IINA logo

Best QuickTime Player alternative for most people

IINA

Free Mac player that adds MKV, subtitles and much wider format support.

VLC media player logo

Best QuickTime Player alternative for a free option

VLC media player

Free and plays almost every format QuickTime refuses.

Infuse logo

Best QuickTime Player alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Infuse

Library-style player with strong HDR and NAS streaming.

IINA logo

Best QuickTime Player alternative for open source

IINA

Free Mac player that adds MKV, subtitles and much wider format support.

Mo

Best QuickTime Player alternative for Mac

Movist Pro

Paid Mac player with advanced subtitles and AirPlay conversion.

VLC media player logo

Best QuickTime Player alternative for Windows

VLC media player

Free and plays almost every format QuickTime refuses.

VLC media player logo

Best QuickTime Player alternative for Linux

VLC media player

Free and plays almost every format QuickTime refuses.

VLC media player logo

Best QuickTime Player alternative for iPhone and Android

VLC media player

Free and plays almost every format QuickTime refuses.

QuickTime Player alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to QuickTime Player?

IINA ranks first right now. Free Mac player that adds MKV, subtitles and much wider format support. VLC media player and Infuse follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to QuickTime Player?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to QuickTime Player?

Yes: IINA and VLC media player.

Which QuickTime Player alternatives work on Linux?

VLC media player runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from QuickTime Player?

The complaints we hear most: no MKV, AVI or WMV support; very limited subtitle handling; few playback settings.

How is this list ranked?

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