MKV players are designed to play MKV files, the standard multimedia container format for storing movies and TV shows. While this format offers better quality videos, it challenges users to play such files.
Both Windows and Mac users cannot play MKV files using the default media players like Windows Media Player and QuickTime. That’s why it is essential to look for alternatives.
For playing MKV files on Mac, you can install VLC Player, Movist Pro, or Elmedia Player. Windows users can scroll through the list below to find the right MKV player.
MPlayer X
MPlayer X is a good MKV player for Windows 10, and because it supports FFMPEG and MPlayer, users can play videos of any format without additional plugins and codecs. Tapping, swiping, and pinching are some of its playback features. Plus, it offers you the AC3 and DTS stream to enjoy a theater experience at home. With the Apple Remote Control System, you can control the playback.
The pros of this player are that it is compatible with Apple products, offers an intuitive multi-touch control system, and you can play online videos on YouTube.
However, the player has its share of downsides. For example, the player uses a high CPU potential to work, it lacks a playlist creation feature, and the player may frequently crash while playing videos.
Media Player Classic
Media Player Classic is another powerful MKV player capable of playing WAV, MKV, and MP4 files. In addition, the player supports high-resolution videos and plays them smoothly.
The player comes with direct video acceleration technology that helps users play videos without needing third-party decoders. Furthermore, you can personalize the subtitles or search the web for what you are playing.
This player’s pros include its support for DVDs, CDs, Blu-Rays, and DVB TV signals, high playback speed, good compatibility, and playing large video files without buffering.
Unfortunately, there are some cons to this player. For instance, there are no streaming functions and no help guide.
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a cross-platform, open-source MKV player. The player can play almost all multimedia files, along with DVDs, VCDs, and Audio CDs. For Mac, this is one of the best MKV players that is used to view 360-degree videos up to 8K resolution. Moreover, the player supports several video compression methods.
Some of the features of this player are:
- You can play video files from webcams, streams, and discs.
- The software supports various media codecs.
- Offers streaming options for Apple TV.
- The software can decode video faster.
- The player offers a video filtration facility to operate on a stream, and it does not contain user tracking, ads, or spyware.
- The player supports discs, files, devices, streams, and webcams. It provides users with a wide range of editing tools like the crop.
- The software supports multiple file formats like OGM, MP4, MOV, MPEG, WMA, OGG, AVI, 3GP, and ASF.
- It supports multiple languages like Spanish, German, Russian, Turkish, Thai, English, Chinese, Dutch, Swedish, and Greek.
- The player provides SRT formats for subtitles and offers OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox for storage.
SMPlayer
SMPlayer is an effective app for playing MKV files, and it is available on the Microsoft Windows store. You can play videos via disc, directory, device, URL, radio, and TV. You can even use the YouTube browser to play the videos directly.
The software offers users an amazing set of features for video, audio, and subtitles management with the aim of ensuring a fantastic watching experience. It is also possible to rotate, zoom and change the aspect ratio or size of the video.
The upsides of using this player are that you can change the preferences according to your needs, add subtitles and audio tracks to the videos, etc.
However, the player might not always play YouTube videos, and you may encounter bug issues.
GOM Player
GOM Media Player is an MKV player for Windows 10 used for playing videos. The software supports various file formats, including AVI, MKV, FLV, and MPG. In addition, you can use the player to view 360 video views.
The features of GOM Player are:
- It is a free MKV player that features an intuitive, user-friendly design.
- The player’s skin can be easily customized, and users can play smooth UHD videos.
- The player has a feature-rich control panel to smoothly playback videos, and it also supports screencast so you can connect your computer to the projector to play the video on the large screen.
- The player supports YouTube videos and multiple languages.
- The software comes with a set of editing tools, SRT and SMI for subtitles, and supports multi-section editing functions.
The Bottom Line
You must check out these top MKV players for Windows if you wish to play and watch MKV videos seamlessly. Make your choice after going through the features of each.
