8 Best MP4 Video Players for Mac
MP4 files are the most common type of video on virtually any device. Most Macs can play MP4s using built-in players, with QuickTime serving as the default. However, some MP4 files may require additional codecs, and high-quality videos may not play smoothly on native players. To ensure reliable playback, here are eight of the best MP4 video players for Mac.
Top Choice: Elmedia Player
If you want a versatile solution for MP4 playback on Mac, Elmedia Player is an excellent option. This robust yet user-friendly player includes features such as playlist creation, video equalizer, speed adjustments, and other intuitive controls.
Elmedia Player supports codec-free playback for a wide range of video formats, including MP4, providing smooth, high-quality playback—even in full HD. It also handles multimedia files, making it suitable for both videos and music. Native support for M1 and M2 Macs ensures optimal performance, making Elmedia Player the best MP4 player for Mac on this list..
While Elmedia Player has a paid option that adds things like picture in picture, advanced streaming via AirPlay, and customization options such as the color of the player, it is also perfectly usable in its free format, and users never need to upgrade to continue using Elmedia for smooth MP4 playback.
Pros:
-
Easy-to-use interface
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Does not need codecs to play videos
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Smooth and responsive video playback and controls
Cons:
- Some desirable features are only available in the paid version
Price:
-
Free (free version)
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$19.95 (Pro version)
Supported OS:
- macOS (Ventura included)
JustPlay
JustPlay is another MP4 player designed specifically for Mac users. It features a clean and simple interface while providing all the essential tools for smooth, uninterrupted video playback.
JustPlay also supports picture-in-picture mode and Touch Bar integration, giving Mac users extra control over playback without needing to leave other apps. This makes it a convenient choice for anyone who wants a distraction-free viewing experience with added functionality.
From the menu bar, JustPlay users can adjust a large number of surprisingly complex video options including equalizers, different picture-in-picture display options, subtitle tracks, aspect ratio, and lots more. Since all of this information is outside of the player itself, JustPlay maintains a very clean and open look that is reminiscent of Apple’s own QuickTime, minus that video player’s codec and playback issues.
Pros:
-
Downloads directly from the Apple Store
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Easy to use interface is clean and free from distractions
Cons:
- No free version is available
Price:
- $4.99
Supported OS:
- macOS (Ventura included)
VLC Media Player
VLC media player is an open-source multimedia player that specializes in hosting a variety of different video formats, including MP4s–all without requiring codecs to be downloaded. This video player has a very simple interface and builds playlists easily, though some of the settings for more advanced things like streaming and adding subtitles can be difficult to use. VLC can also be a bit of a memory hog on older Mac computers.
Nevertheless, VLC’s ability to play virtually any video smoothly and without issue is one of the reasons it is still available after so much time on the market. And, since VLC Media Player is open-source, it will always be free, making this Mac MP4 player one of the best ones on this list with a free download.
Pros:
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Always free to use
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Simple video-playing interface
Cons:
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Some confusing settings
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Can drain your Mac’s battery quickly
Price:
- Free
Supported OS:
-
macOS (Ventura included)
-
Windows
GOM
GOM is a Mac MP4 player that makes creating video libraries and playlists extremely easy, and it supports a wide range of video file formats to boot. Once your video is loaded, GOM has a few different tools for editing it directly within the interface, allowing you to change the saturation or color temperature of the video or add subtitles as it plays. GOM also allows for streaming from various websites via a URL directly inside the player.
Unfortunately, macOS doesn’t support GOM as a default video player for MP4 files without some modifications; without that support, double-clicking a video to open it simply doesn’t work, and you’ll have to open video files from within GOM’s own file manager. It’s only a few extra clicks that you would have made anyway, but some might find it inconvenient.
Pros:
-
Minimal interface with plenty of rich options
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Video editing and URL streaming
Cons:
- No drag-and-drop video play
Price:
- Free
Supported OS:
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macOS (Ventura included)
-
Windows
5KPlayer
5KPlayer is a UHD-oriented media player that prioritizes MKV files, but can play MP4s. This app supports 4K video playback, MP3 audio playback, and streaming, especially via AirPlay. It also allows you to download videos from websites like Dailymotion by simply entering a video’s URL into the appropriate space in the player. Its interface and playback options are surprisingly detailed, even including the option to convert videos to audio files within the Library tab.
Generally speaking, 5KPlayer performs well, but it has a tendency to stutter occasionally when playing UHD videos. Nevertheless, it remains a strong choice as a Mac MP4 video player for HD and UHD alike.
Pros:
-
Supports both HD and UHD videos
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Allows users to download additional videos
Cons:
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Playback can be choppy or inconsistent in comparison to other entries on this list
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Quitting 5KPlayer requires exiting twice from the menu bar
Price:
- Free
Supported OS:
-
macOS (Ventura included)
-
Windows
Cisdem Video Player
Cisdem Video Player is a relatively lightweight player that nevertheless supports almost any video file type, MP4s naturally included; it even claims to be able to handle up to 8K playback for the right file types. The majority of audio formats are also included, making Cisdem a true multimedia player as well as a sturdy video player.
Cisdem also tends to run smoothly despite processing some fairly large videos, and its interface is quick and easy to use without intruding on the video-viewing experience. While some features in this video player are restricted in the free version–the ad-free version runs $9.99–even the basic Cisdem app is an excellent choice for viewing MP4 files on your Mac.
Pros:
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Includes built-in video and audio conversion options
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Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
-
Some features are paywall-locked
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Doesn’t offer streaming options
Price:
-
Free
-
$9.99 (full version)
Supported OS:
-
macOS (Ventura included)
-
Windows
Movist Pro
Despite requiring a purchase–a one-time fee of $7.99 after the free trial ends–Movist Pro is a strong contender on this list. Apart from allowing MP4 playback in addition to the usual additional video support, Movist Pro boasts simple and intuitive menus that fade to transparent while your video is playing and become highlighted as the mouse moves over them. This video-first presentation makes Movist Pro a good choice for those looking to maximize their playback experience without a lot of frills.
It is also worth noting that Movist Pro is now available in the App Store, so it will integrate flawlessly with your Mac’s architecture. It even has built-in options to detect your Mac’s theme setting to default to light or dark mode based on what your system settings are.
Pros:
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Minimalist interface
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Available through the app store
Cons:
-
Optimized for an older version of macOS
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No free version available long-term
Price:
-
Free (trial)
-
$7.99 (full version)
Supported OS:
- macOS (Ventura included)
DivX Player
DivX is a relatively old media player that still works for macOS Ventura. This app can handle MP4, MKV, AVI, and other formats of video files, many of which support 4K playback. Additionally, downloading the DivX player from their website also downloads the DivX converter, meaning you can change videos that won’t play into the MP4 format if you need to.
Perhaps the best selling point for DivX is its reputation as a reliable option in the video player market. You’ll certainly see some mildly intrusive ads in the free version of DivX, and the interface of the player itself is tough to navigate at first. That said, this video player is perfectly serviceable on a Mac, and more than capable of running your MP4 videos.
Pros:
- Supports HD and UHD feedback
Cons:
-
Cluttered interface
-
Some ads are present in the free version
Price:
-
Free
-
$19.99 (ad-free version)
Supported OS:
-
macOS (Ventura included)
-
Windows
Converting MP4 Videos on MacOS
While any of the video players on this list will allow you to view MP4 files, you may already have a preferred video player that doesn’t support an MP4 file in its current state. If that is the case, try using Wondershare UniConverter to turn your MP4 into a different file type.
Once you have installed and opened Wondershare UniConverter on your Mac, converting the video requires just four simple steps:
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Find the video you want to convert and drag it into the UniConverter window.
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Click the conversion icon to the left of the Convert button.
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Select the format you want on the left of the drop-down menu, then click the quality you want for that format.
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Click Convert.
Choosing the Best MP4 Player for macOS
When selecting an MP4 player for your Mac, it’s important to consider your computer’s age and performance. Elmedia Player runs natively on newer Macs and supports many older models, but some video players on this list perform best only on recent macOS versions. Others, like VLC, are compatible with almost any Mac system still in use.
If you want a player that is guaranteed to work smoothly with macOS, it’s safest to choose apps that are available through the Mac App Store, as these are optimized for Apple’s ecosystem.
Conclusion
The key factor in choosing an MP4 player is whether it plays your files reliably and smoothly. Since all the players listed here support MP4, your final choice will largely depend on personal preference and desired features.
Our top recommendation is Elmedia Player, which balances advanced playback options with ease of use. While the Pro version offers additional features for power users, the free version is more than capable of handling standard MP4 playback tasks efficiently.