---
title: mpv
canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/mpv/
category: Media Player Software
points: 67
rank: 3 of 12
facts_checked: 2026-10-09
---

# mpv

Free, open-source media player built for the command line, configured with text files and scripts.

67 points out of 100. #3 of 12 media players. Vendor: mpv project. Website: https://mpv.io/

- mpv is free and open source under GPLv2 or later [1][4].
- The manual lists hardware decoding through D3D11VA (Windows 8 and later) and DXVA2 on Windows [3].
- It plays DVDs and Blu-ray discs, and Blu-ray ISO files, though DVD menus are not supported [3].
- It opens HTTP and HTTPS addresses, HLS streams and RTSP streams [3].
- The project's site lists no official Windows or macOS binaries; its first-party CI builds are meant mainly for testing [2].

Verdict: mpv suits people who want a free player with hardware decoding, HDR handling, disc support and a scripting interface, and who do not mind configuring it [1][3][4]. It is offered free of charge [1][2]. The catch: its project page calls the Windows and macOS binaries third-party builds, and it has no media library [2][3]. Best for: People who want a free, scriptable player and are fine without a built-in library.

## Points

| Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems | Other systems | Android | 3/12 | Installation page links an Android app on Google Play; its Windows, macOS and Linux builds are third-party or test builds [2]. |
| Video | Disc playback | Yes | 5/5 | Manual documents DVD playback without menus, and Blu-ray playback including ISO files [3]. |
| Video | No codec pack needed | Yes | 6/6 | Homepage says mpv supports a wide variety of codecs [1]. README says it is built on the FFmpeg libraries, linked statically by mpv-build [4]. |
| Video | Hardware video decoding | Yes | 7/7 | Manual lists d3d11va (Windows 8 and later) and dxva2 (Windows) hardware decoding [3]. |
| Video | HDR playback | Yes | 5/5 | Homepage lists HDR among video output features; manual documents HDR output and tone mapping [1][3]. |
| Video | Subtitle features | External subtitle files, Embedded subtitle tracks, Styled ASS/SSA subtitles | 6/8 | Manual covers external subtitle files, selecting embedded subtitle streams and ASS/SSA options; no in-player subtitle search found [3]. |
| Streams, audio and library | Network streams | HTTP or HTTPS URLs, HLS, RTSP or RTMP | 6/8 | Manual lists http/https addresses, an HLS stream option and an RTSP transport option; DLNA and RTMP not named [3]. |
| Streams, audio and library | Audio features | Gapless playback, ReplayGain or loudness levelling, Exclusive audio output (WASAPI or ASIO) | 6/8 | Manual documents gapless audio, ReplayGain and audio exclusive mode with WASAPI; no audio equaliser found [3]. |
| Streams, audio and library | Media library | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's manual [3]. |
| Streams, audio and library | Plugins or add-ons | Yes | 3/3 | Manual describes user scripts in Lua and JavaScript and C plugins as the way to add extensions [3]. |
| Ads and privacy | Open-source apps | Yes | 8/8 | Source is on GitHub; licence is GPLv2 or later by default, LGPLv2.1 or later when built without GPL parts [4]. |
| Ads and privacy | No ads or bundled offers | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's homepage [1]. |
| Ads and privacy | States no tracking | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's manual or repository page [3][4]. |
| Price | Price of the player | $0 | 12/12 | Homepage calls mpv a free, open source media player [1]; the installation page lists downloads with no price [2]. Counted as $0. |

## Plans

| Plan | Price | Per month (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| mpv | Free [1][2][4] | $0 |

## Strengths

- Free, with source code under GPLv2 or later [1][4].
- Supports Lua, JavaScript and C plugin scripts as user extensions [3].
- Documents gapless audio, ReplayGain and WASAPI exclusive output [3].
- Names HDR among its video output features and documents HDR tone mapping [1][3].

## Limits

- Windows and macOS binaries listed on the project's page are third-party builds; the first-party CI builds are meant mainly for testing [2].
- DVD menus are not supported [3].
- The manual does not name DLNA support or a media library [3].
- Most Linux packages come from distributions, and the installation page calls them unofficial [2].

## Sources

1. [mpv.io](https://mpv.io/), mpv project, accessed 2026-10-09
2. [Installation](https://mpv.io/installation/), mpv project, accessed 2026-10-09
3. [mpv manual (stable)](https://mpv.io/manual/stable/), mpv project, accessed 2026-10-09
4. [mpv-player/mpv](https://github.com/mpv-player/mpv), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-09