PotPlayer for Mac – Best alternatives of PotPlayer Macbook
PotPlayer is a highly customizable and free app, making it a favorite among many users. However, it is only available for Windows, which leaves Mac users without access. This article aims to assist Mac users in finding alternatives to PotPlayer, highlighting several media players for macOS that provide similar features. By reviewing these options, you can discover the ideal universal media player for your Mac.
Why is PotPlayer for Macbook Popular
PotPlayer is a free media player for Windows that stands out due to its extensive customization options. Users can tailor various aspects of the player, such as icon visibility, multiple player instances, and tooltips. Despite the numerous settings, the interface is well-organized and user-friendly.
However, PotPlayer does have its drawbacks. It may require additional codecs, comes with adware in the installer, and includes ads within the application itself. Despite these issues, its popularity persists, reflecting the overall quality and functionality of the app.
User’s Question
I really enjoyed using PotPlayer on Windows because of its versatility, extensive format support, and customizable settings. Can you recommend any free video players for Mac that are feature-rich, easy to use, and compatible with a wide variety of formats?
How to Potplayer for Mac Download
To download PotPlayer, follow these steps:
PotPlayer for Mac Settings
To configure PotPlayer for use with external devices like the USB-Video-Grabber, follow these steps:
Step 1 – Launch PotPlayer: Ensure that the USB-Video-Grabber is properly recognized by your computer and then start PotPlayer.
Step 2 – Configure Device Settings
- Press Alt + D to quickly access the Device Settings window.
- Alternatively, navigate to “Open” > “Device Settings…” to open the Device Settings.
Step 3 – Select Device
- Under Video Capture Device:
- Device: VDC2018 (Model No.: VDC2018)
- Audio: Use audio capture device
- Under Audio capture device:
- Device: Microphone VDC2018 (Model No.: VDC2018)
- Input: Master Volume
Step 4 – Start Video Playback Click “Open device” located at the bottom of the Device Settings window to initiate video playback.
Step 5 – Configure Video Recording Settings
- Press Alt + C to quickly access the Video Recording Settings.
- Alternatively, navigate to “Video” > “Video recording” > “Record video…” to open the Recording video Settings.
Step 6 – Adjust Video Recorder Settings Ensure all settings are correctly configured in this step as it is crucial for proper recording.
Step 7 – Begin Video Recording Click “Start” to commence the video recording process.
| Top Features | Elmedia Player | Cisdem Video Player | VLC Media Player | IINA | 5KPlayer | MPlayerOSX | Leawo Blu-ray Player for Mac |
| Playback video quality | HD | High quality | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal |
| Speed of playback | Fast | Fast | Normal | Fast | Fast | Fast | Normal |
| Supported formats | AVI, FLV, SWF, MP4, WMV, MOV, DAT, M4V, MPG, DivX, MKV, and many others | MKV, AVI, FLV, AVCHD, WMV, etc. | MKV, MP4, VOB, WMV, MPG, AVI, etc. | AVI, MP4, FLV, SWF, WMV, MKV, M4V, etc. | MKV, M2TS, MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, etc. | AVI, MKV, MOV, MP4, MPG, OGM, etc. | VideoCD, MPEG, MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, WMV, MP4, RMVB |
| Support for subtitles | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Create and edit playlists | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming option | Yes (PRO) | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Free version | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Best PotPlayer Alternative MAC
Elmedia Player
Among the various PotPlayer alternatives for Mac, Elmedia Player stands out as one of the best options for MacBook users, closely matching PotPlayer in terms of usability and functionality. It is not only packed with features, but these features are also intuitively organized and easily accessible.
Elmedia Player offers numerous useful playback controls, such as bookmarks, A to B looping, playlist importing and exporting, and speed adjustment. It also has timeline preview thumbnails for convenient seeking. Additionally, you can sync subtitles and audio to the main video track by adjusting their delay.
Elmedia Player PRO takes things further, unlocking many advanced features similar to those in PotPlayer, including video effects and an audio equalizer. One of its standout features is direct streaming over DLNA, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast, using transcoding to ensure nearly any video stream is compatible. Priced at $19.99, Elmedia Player PRO offers excellent value for its advanced capabilities.
It is a good option, but in my opinion, it doesn’t come close to Elmedia. It’s not just about the picture quality; when you compare the features available in Elmedia Player with those of other players, Elmedia stands out.
Additionally, the ability to stream to smart TVs and other devices like Chromecast is a fantastic feature.
Pros
- Picture-in-Picture mode
- Numerous audio, video, and subtitle options
- Stream with just two clicks
Cons
- Elmedia PRO requires a paid upgrade
How to Use Elmedia Player
Download and Install Elmedia Player
- Obtain Elmedia Player either from the official website or the Mac App Store.
- Download and install the application on your Mac.
Open Your Media
- Drag the file directly to the Elmedia Player window.
- Use the Menu Bar by selecting “File > Open.”
- Right-click the file, choose “Open with > Other,” and select Elmedia Player from the list of apps.
Play and Enjoy
- Once your media is open, start playback and enjoy!
Supported Formats
- Video Formats: MKV, AVI, FLV, MOV, and more.
- Audio Formats: MP3, FLAC, M4A, APE, OGG, AC3, AAC, WMA, WAV, and more.
Supported OS
- macOS
Price
- Free to Use
- PRO Upgrade: $19.99
PotPlayer Features Found in Elmedia Player
Audio Settings
Elmedia Player offers extensive sound settings similar to PotPlayer. Users can select the output device and adjust sound using a 10-band audio equalizer with presets. An audio visualizer is also available
Subtitle Customization
Like PotPlayer, Elmedia Player allows extensive subtitle customization, including font, color, size, and position adjustments. It can search for subtitles online and automatically open local subtitles if they share the same filename as the video.
Picture-in-Picture Mode
Elmedia replicates PotPlayer’s always-on-top feature with its own picture-in-picture (PiP) mode. This mode is particularly useful as it keeps the window minimized while providing playback controls adapted to the small PiP window.
Subtitle Customization
Elmedia provides numerous video settings comparable to PotPlayer. It includes optional hardware acceleration for enhanced HD support, local video caching, and a deinterlacing filter for better quality on tape-recorded videos. Additionally, Elmedia features a robust video tuner allowing adjustments to hue, brightness, and contrast during playback.
By offering these features, Elmedia Player serves as a perfect alternative to PotPlayer for macOS users.
VLC
VLC is a robust alternative to PotPlayer for macOS, offering a similar, if not greater, level of customization. As a free option, it packs a lot of features, but its user interface is a significant drawback. The UI can make it challenging to locate features like streaming or adjusting playback speed, as commonly used settings are mixed with advanced options that most users might never need. Additionally, the options are not always clearly labeled. VLC is best suited for users who are willing to spend time exploring and tweaking settings. If you’re up for the challenge, VLC is definitely worth considering.
“If you want to play a video – use VLC – it’s tiny, lightweight and will play any video or audio codex you throw at it.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Offers extensive customizability, surpassing even PotPlayer
Cons
- Challenging to navigate and use
- Documentation is often inadequate
Supported Formats
- AVI, MKV, FLV, MOV, MP4, 3GP, OGG, MP3, AAC, Vorbis, AC3, WMA, FLAC, ALAC, MXF, and more
Supported OS
- macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Price
- Free
Cisdem media player
Cisdem is a straightforward media player designed for Mac users. While it may not offer the extensive features and settings of PotPlayer, it is a regularly updated commercial product available for free. One of its strengths is its ability to open nearly every format, providing versatility for users. However, the paid upgrade option, which enables media conversion to different formats, may not be considered essential or cost-effective by all users.
“It’s currently my primary video player. It’s easy to use, allowing quick access to and management of media files, and supports a wide range of video and audio formats, including HD videos.” — Tracy Gordon (MacUpdate)
Cons
- Limited audio and video settings
Supported Formats
- MP4, H.264/MP4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, AVI, MKV, MOV, WMV, MPG, M4V, TS, MTS, M2TS, AVCHD, RM, RMVB, ASF, 3GP, F4V, FLV, ISO, DIVX, MP3, M4A, WMA, AAC, and more
Supported OS
- macOS, Windows
Price
- Free
IINA media player
IINA is an open-source media player for macOS that competes directly with VLC. While it may not boast the same extensive feature set as VLC or PotPlayer, IINA distinguishes itself with a sleek, customizable interface. It prioritizes user experience, offering features like Picture-in-Picture mode, Touch Bar support, and Trackpad integration.
“Good design, no glitches, good subtitle support and rendering, easy and accessible settings (video, audio, subs). It’s not as comprehensive as PotPlayer or other Windows players, but it’s the best FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software) video player I’ve found for macOS. Recommended.” — Guest (alternativeto.net)
Pros
- Free software
- Well-designed user interface
Cons
- Less customizable compared to PotPlayer
Supported Formats
- AVI, MKV, FLV, MOV, MP4, 3GP, OGG, MP3, AAC, Vorbis, AC3, WMA, FLAC, ALAC, MXF, and more
Supported OS
- macOS
Price
- Free
5KPlayer
5KPlayer is a free multi-platform media player offering various functions, including simple video editing and a media library organization tool. However, its user experience doesn’t cater well to everyday use. It lacks the extensive options found in PotPlayer and displays ads to users, which can be challenging to remove. Overall, we don’t strongly recommend this app.
“5KPlayer is very user-friendly, plays smoothly, and allows downloading videos from most sites I like. The AirPlay function is also very useful.” — Guest (alternativeto.net)
Pros
- Offers unique secondary features
- Advanced capabilities despite being free
Cons
- Displays ads and engages in other suspicious activities
- Lacks sufficient video/audio customization options
Supported Formats
- MP4, H.264/MP4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, AVI, MKV, MOV, WMV, MPG, M4V, TS, MTS, M2TS, AVCHD, RM, RMVB, ASF, 3GP, F4V, FLV, ISO, DIVX, MP3, M4A, WMA, AAC, and more
Supported OS
- macOS, Windows
Price
- Free
MPlayerOSX
MPlayerOSX is a macOS port of MPlayer, originally a Linux application. While the original MPlayer continues to receive updates, the port may be outdated and could become incompatible with future macOS versions or pose safety concerns. However, as of now, it serves as an intriguing alternative to PotPlayer for Mac users. It offers an audio equalizer, video effects, and features for syncing soundtracks and subtitles. The interface is relatively standard.
“As far as I’m concerned, this is the best player out there for non-QuickTime video.” — Verne-Arase (macupdate.com)
Pros
- Offers extensive audio and video settings
- Completely free to use
Cons
- No longer receiving updates
Supported Formats
- AVI, MKV, FLV, MOV, MP4, 3GP, OGG, MP3, AAC, Vorbis, AC3, WMA, FLAC, ALAC, MXF, and more
Supported OS
- macOS, Windows
Price
- Free
Most users think MPlayer is a great PotPlayer alternative.
MPLAYER FEATURES
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Hardware Accelerated
- Command line interface
- Integrated Codecs
Pros
- Versatile compatibility with various systems
- Lightweight and portable
- Utilizes hardware acceleration
- Command-line interface for advanced users
- Integrated codecs enhance playback experience
Cons
- May lack advanced features compared to PotPlayer
Supported Formats
- MPEG/VOB, AVI, Ogg/OGM, VIVO, ASF/WMA/WMV, QT/MOV/MP4, RealMedia, Matroska, NUT, NuppelVideo, FLI, YUV4MPEG, FILM, RoQ, PVA files
Supported OS
- Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, AmigaOS, Xfce, MorphOS
User Review
“Most users think MPlayer is a great PotPlayer alternative.”
Miro Player
Miro (formerly Democracy Player) is a free and open-source internet TV application, media library, and video player.
MIRO PLAYER FEATURES
- Music Store
- TV Streaming
- Fullscreen support
- Built-in Torrent client
- Media library
- Android Sync
- Built-in Media converter
- Music Library
- Create Playlist
Pros
- Offers a diverse range of features including TV streaming and built-in torrent client
- Supports fullscreen mode for immersive viewing experience
- Provides Android sync for seamless integration with mobile devices
- Includes a built-in media converter for file format compatibility
- Facilitates playlist creation and organization
Cons
- Discontinued development, with the last version released in 2013
- Potential issues due to changes in the YouTube API affecting functionality
Supported Formats
- Various multimedia formats for video and audio playback
Supported OS
- Compatibility with multiple operating systems
User Review
“Most users think Miro Player is a great PotPlayer alternative.
Conclusion
Locating PotPlayer for Mac isn’t a challenge. With numerous quality alternatives like Elmedia Player available, users can easily find software that fulfills a similar role. These alternatives don’t have to replicate PotPlayer precisely; they simply need to serve the same purpose. In many cases, they even outperform the original application. Therefore, it’s advisable to prioritize your specific requirements from a media player rather than relying solely on arbitrary comparisons.
