{
    "products": [
        {
            "slug": "iina",
            "name": "IINA",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://iina.io/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/iina",
            "tagline": "Free open-source media player built for macOS",
            "summary": "IINA is a free, open-source media player designed for macOS, with native features and plugin support. Its source is published on GitHub under GPL-3.0, and its download page lists the current release and the macOS versions it needs.",
            "platforms": [
                "macos"
            ],
            "pricing": "open-source",
            "price_note": "Free and open source under GPL-3.0",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": true,
            "license": "GPL-3.0",
            "source": "https://github.com/iina/iina",
            "strengths": [
                "Native macOS interface",
                "Free and open source under GPL-3.0",
                "Plugin support"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Mac only, with no Windows or Linux version",
                "Smaller format and platform reach than VLC"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "IINA is a media player for macOS. Its site describes a modern, free and open-source player with native features and plugin support, and it offers a plugins page and documentation. The app is built for Mac users who want a player that follows macOS conventions rather than a cross-platform interface.\n\nIINA is released under GPL-3.0, and its download page lists the macOS versions it requires. It runs on Mac only, so it does not help with Windows or Linux machines. Compared with VLC, it fits Mac users who want a native look and plugin support, while VLC covers more platforms and formats in one app."
        },
        {
            "slug": "mpv",
            "name": "mpv",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://mpv.io/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/mpv",
            "tagline": "Free open-source video player for the command line and desktop",
            "summary": "mpv is a free, open-source media player for Windows, macOS and Linux, and it can be used from the command line. It plays a wide variety of media formats and is configured through text files and scripts. Its source is published on GitHub under GPL-2.0.",
            "platforms": [
                "windows",
                "macos",
                "linux"
            ],
            "pricing": "open-source",
            "price_note": "Free and open source under GPL-2.0",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": true,
            "license": "GPL-2.0",
            "source": "https://github.com/mpv-player/mpv",
            "strengths": [
                "Free and open source under GPL-2.0",
                "Precise keyboard control and scripting",
                "Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "No graphical menus by default",
                "Steeper learning curve than VLC"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "mpv is a media player for the command line, and it also runs as a desktop player. Its site describes it as a free, open-source and cross-platform media player that supports a wide variety of media formats. It is built to be scripted and configured by hand, and its installation page lists builds for Windows, macOS and Linux.\n\nmpv is released under GPL-2.0 and developed on GitHub. It has no graphical menus by default, so a new user must learn its keyboard controls and configuration files. Its strength is precise playback control and scripting, which suits power users and developers. For a player with menus and a simpler start, VLC or IINA are easier choices."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [
        "Only mpv runs on Windows.",
        "Only mpv runs on Linux."
    ],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "media-players",
            "name": "Media players",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/media-players",
            "of": 10,
            "results": [
                {
                    "product": "iina",
                    "rank": 8,
                    "score": 81,
                    "verdict": "A free, open-source player built for macOS, with plugin support and a native look. It runs on Mac only, so it covers fewer systems than VLC.",
                    "best_for": "A native macOS player with plugins",
                    "spec": {
                        "platforms": "macOS",
                        "server": false,
                        "open_source": true,
                        "cost": "Free"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "mpv",
                    "rank": 7,
                    "score": 82.5,
                    "verdict": "Free and open source with precise keyboard control and scripting on Windows, macOS and Linux. It has no graphical menus by default, so it is harder to learn than VLC.",
                    "best_for": "Keyboard-driven playback and scripting",
                    "spec": {
                        "platforms": "Windows, macOS, Linux",
                        "server": false,
                        "open_source": true,
                        "cost": "Free"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "mpv",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/iina-vs-mpv",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/iina-vs-mpv.json",
    "notes": [
        "Scores are editorial and only comparable inside one list. Products with connected_to_publisher true receive a disclosed ranking lift: https://listme.name/methodology"
    ],
    "source": "https://listme.name",
    "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to listme.name.",
    "docs": "https://listme.name/developers"
}