QMPlay2
github.com
What it is
QMPlay2 is a free video and audio player for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It handles formats and codecs supported by FFmpeg, along with Audio CDs, raw files, and chiptunes. Playback features include subtitles, network playback, hardware acceleration, spherical view, automatic interlace detection, and deinterlacing filters. A YouTube browser is included; playback requires yt-dlp, which QMPlay2 can download automatically. The documentation also describes using Streamlink as the player and an optional Last.fm extension for scrobbling with a configured account. Hardware video decoding options vary by system and include Vulkan Video, NVIDIA CUVID, Windows DXVA2 and D3D11VA, Linux/BSD VA-API, and macOS VideoToolBox. On Linux and BSD, multimedia-key controls and MPRIS2 commands are documented. QMPlay2 is licensed under LGPL-3.0. The latest macOS release requires Big Sur or later. Windows XP builds and the offline Windows build have stated service limitations, and the latest release page says the experimental Android package and Linux AppImage are no longer provided.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- QMPlay2 is a video and audio player that can play formats supported by FFmpeg.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Product
- QMPlay2 is a video and audio player that supports formats handled by FFmpeg, Audio CDs, raw files, and chiptunes.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Platforms
- The latest release page lists downloads for Windows and macOS and links to Arch Linux packages; it says Android experimental packages and AppImage are no longer provided.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Free plan
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Security
- GitHub reports that the project has no security policy set up and no published security advisories.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The project repository provides Issues and Discussions as places for community reports and questions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository identifies its license as LGPL-3.0.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Android availability
- The latest release page says the experimental Android package is no longer provided.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audio integration
- The README documents ALSA and Linux/BSD MPRIS2 multimedia key controls.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audio scrobbling
- The README describes an optional Last.fm scrobbling extension configured with a Last.fm login and password.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Format support
- FFmpeg-supported formats and codecs; Audio CD; raw files; chiptunesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Hardware acceleration
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Hardware decoding
- Supported hardware video decoding options include Vulkan Video, NVIDIA CUVID, Windows DXVA2 and D3D11VA, Linux/BSD VA-API, and macOS VideoToolBox.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Last.fm
- An optional Last.fm extension can scrobble playback using a configured login and password.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License model
- freeRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Linux downloads
- The latest release page says AppImage is no longer provided; the README lists installation instructions for several Linux distributions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Linux integration
- On Linux/BSD, the README documents multimedia-key controls and MPRIS2 commands.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- macOS requirement
- The listed macOS download requires macOS Big Sur or higher and is a universal x86_64 and arm64 binary.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- macOS requirements
- The latest release page requires macOS Big Sur or higher and offers a universal x86_64 and arm64 binary.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Maintainer
- GitHub identifies zaps166 as Błażej Szczygieł and lists Poland on the profile; it does not state a founding date.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Media support
- It also supports Audio CD, raw files, and chiptunes.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Network playback
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Streaming integration
- The README documents using Streamlink with QMPlay2 as the player.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Streamlink
- QMPlay2 can be used as a Streamlink player.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Subtitle support
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Video features
- The player supports spherical view on OpenGL and Vulkan outputs and automatic detection of interlaced video.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Windows limitation
- The Windows XP no-JavaScript package lacks updates and MediaBrowser, while the offline package lacks updates and most network services.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Windows limits
- The release page says Windows XP builds lack updates and MediaBrowser, while its offline build lacks updates and most network services.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- YouTube
- The player includes a YouTube browser and uses external yt-dlp software to play YouTube videos, downloading it automatically when needed.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Free Free Video and audio player; no paid plans stated Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free under the LGPL-3.0 license
- Supports FFmpeg formats, Audio CDs, raw files, and chiptunes
- Includes subtitles and network playback
- Offers several hardware video decoding options
- Has YouTube browser and Streamlink use path
Limits
- macOS release requires Big Sur or higher
- Windows XP builds lack updates and MediaBrowser
- Offline Windows build lacks updates and most network services
- Linux AppImage is no longer provided
Who it suits
QMPlay2 suits people seeking a free desktop player for varied audio and video formats, including users who want network playback, subtitles, or hardware decoding. Its documented platform-specific options may be useful to Linux/BSD users and people using Streamlink or Last.fm.
Verdict
QMPlay2 covers a broad range of media formats and includes playback and decoding options across three desktop platforms. Check the platform-specific requirements and Windows package limitations before choosing a build.
Where Specifiction places it
- Media Player Software#8 of 768.7
- Video Player Software#13 of 428.2
