Alternatives to IINA
The mpv engine wrapped in a macOS app that actually looks and behaves like a macOS app. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
IINA
The mpv engine wrapped in a macOS app that actually looks and behaves like a macOS app.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as IINA.
VLC media player
A free player that opens almost any video or audio file, disc or stream without installing a codec pack.
VLC runs on macOS plus Windows, Linux, Android and iOS and plays a wide range of codecs out of the box, but its interface is functional rather than modern.
mpv
A minimal, scriptable media player with high quality video output and no real interface to get in the way.
mpv is the engine IINA wraps, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and exposes more settings, but has no real graphical interface beyond an on-screen controller.
SMPlayer
A front end for mpv and MPlayer that remembers where you stopped in every file you have ever opened.
SMPlayer is a front end for mpv and MPlayer on macOS, Windows and Linux that remembers position per file, with a dated Qt interface instead of a native one.
Infuse
Apple-platform video player that connects to Plex, Jellyfin, Emby and network shares.
Infuse runs on macOS and iOS and connects to Plex, Jellyfin, Emby and network shares, but it is closed source with most features behind a Pro subscription.
Elmedia Player
A macOS video and audio player with native Apple Silicon support and AirPlay and Chromecast streaming.
Elmedia Player is a closed-source freemium macOS player with native Apple Silicon support that adds AirPlay and Chromecast streaming to a TV.
KMPlayer
A free Windows and macOS video player with built-in codecs for most formats, including 4K and 3D.
KMPlayer is a free, closed-source player for macOS and Windows with built-in codecs and 4K and 3D playback, replacing IINA's mpv engine and open-source license.
5KPlayer
A free Windows and Mac media player with AirPlay and DLNA streaming and an online video downloader.
5KPlayer is a free, closed-source Mac and Windows player that adds AirPlay and DLNA streaming and an online video downloader, though its website promotes paid products.
DivX Software
Free video software to play, convert and cast DivX, AVI, MKV and HEVC files up to 4K.
DivX Software is free but closed source on macOS and Windows, focusing on DivX, AVI, MKV and HEVC playback up to 4K with a bundled converter and casting.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Syncplay
Keep video playback synchronized across a group.
Jellyfin Media Player
A desktop client for Jellyfin built on libmpv, with hardware decoding and audio passthrough so fewer files need transcoding.
Haruna
An open-source KDE video player built on libmpv with automatic playlists and configurable shortcuts.
Celluloid
A simple GTK front end for the mpv video player on Linux.
mpv.net
A Windows media player built on mpv, adding a modern graphical interface and themes.
Yattee
A privacy-oriented video player for iOS, tvOS and macOS that works with Invidious and Piped.
