TOP 4 IINA Player Alternatives

avatar
Written by
Updated on: October 31, 2024
Time to read: 5 minutes
thumbnail

IINA is a media player that’s very well-optimized for macOS and provides a seamless playback experience. However, it would be wrong to say that there aren’t better options available on the market. Despite IINA’s open source nature, user-friendly interface, and advanced functionalities, it does have some performance issues.

For example, users report that when they try to open a video, they often end up with a black screen.

In this article, we share 4 IINA alternatives that offer better features without most of the problems that plague it, so you can choose the most convenient video player for your Mac according to your requirements.

Table of Contents

1. Elmedia Player

If you’re looking for an IINA video player alternative that’s user-friendly and supports a large number of file formats, then Elmedia Player is the best choice. Since it’s compatible with so many audio and video formats, you don’t have to worry about downloading new codecs. Plus, you can play videos in 4K and 8K without any problem without this player.

The basic version of Elmedia includes all the essential playback functionalities, but if you want more advanced features, then you’ll have to buy the Pro version. The developers are constantly bringing out new updates and improvements.

If you are looking for the IINA Player replacement, try the Elmedia Player

Pros

  • Compatible with various formats
  • Offers multiple advanced features
  • Allows Chromecast/AirPlay/DLNA streaming
  • 4K and 8K video support
  • Can search for subtitles on OpenSubtitles.com

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer many editing options
  • Some features are in Pro

OS: macOS

Price: free, PRO upgrade priced at $19.95

Download: https://mac.eltima.com/elmedia-player-download.html

2. VLC Media Player

VLC is a free media player that’s hugely popular with Mac and Windows users alike. It plays almost all file formats, making it versatile for various file types. Since it’s an open-source application, you don’t have to pay for any feature. 

It’s a very lightweight app, which means it’ll run smoothly on any computer. Whether you’re streaming videos online or playing local files, VLC is an alternative to IINA due to its broad compatibility across platforms.

The VLC Player app is also an IINA alternative

Pros

  • Works on multiple operating systems
  • Plays various video formats
  • Completely free and open-source app

Cons

  • User interface is old
  • Advanced features can be confusing

OS: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

Price: free

Download: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/

3. QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player is macOS’ built-in audio and video player known for its simplicity and integration with Apple devices. It supports multiple formats, but it’s common to run into compatibility issues when using this player. You often have to download new codecs to make videos work and performance issues also tend to happen frequently.

Plus, it’s not the best option for people who want a media player with more advanced features. Another problem is that it can use a lot of resources, which might make playing high-quality videos less smooth.

The default macOS QuickTime player could be considered to replace the IINA

Pros

  • Built into all Macs
  • Lets you record your screen
  • Supports high-quality video playback
  • Stream videos with URLs

Cons

  • Not compatible with many formats
  • Doesn’t support many codecs
  • Lacks advanced features
  • Resource-intensive app

OS: macOS

Price: Free

Download: Pre-installed

Movist

An app similar to IINA that’s also designed specifically for Mac users is Movist.  It offers wide format support and a clean, user-friendly interface, making it a good option for those who are looking for a simple yet effective media player. 

However, there aren’t a lot of reviews about the app or detailed information about the limitations of the free version. While it shows promise, you might have to explore it further to make sure it meets your needs, especially considering that there’s very limited information about it that’s available on the internet right now.

The Movist player application is similar to the IINA player

Pros

  • View subtitles in multiple languages at the same time
  • Supports various media formats
  • Offers customization of playback settings

Cons

  • Advanced features need payment
  • No native streaming support
  • Infrequent updates and support

OS: Linux, macOS, and Windows

Price: $4.99 (The Mac App Store version); $7.99 (the Pro version from their website)

Download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/movist/id461788075?mt=12 or https://movistprime.com/

Conclusion

IINA is a great macOS-exclusive media player that offers lots of great features. However, if you want something more advanced, then you’re going to have to explore other options. We recommend checking out Elmedia Player as it includes many advanced features and playback options, along with a very user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate its settings.

Other players you should try include VLC Media Player, QuickTime Player, and Movist. All of these choices are great, so the right one for you will largely depend on your specific needs and preferences.