Dragon Player vs MediaElement.js
Dragon Player
apps.kde.orgMediaElement.js
mediaelementjs.comSide by side
| Figure | Dragon Player | MediaElement.js |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Video Player Software | 8.5 (#4) | 8.4 (#8) |
| Installation | The KDE page lists Linux installation through Discover and other AppStream application stores, or a distribution package manager, and links to Flathub. | The installation guide lists package download, CDN, Git, npm, Bower, and Meteor installation options. |
| License | KDE identifies the application as GPL-2.0+ licensed. | The project repository identifies the software license as MIT. |
| Maker | KDE e.V. is a registered non-profit in Germany that represents the KDE Community in legal and financial matters. | The official site says MediaElement.js was created by John Dyer at Dallas Theological Seminary. |
| Purpose | Dragon Player is a video player focused on simplicity and playing video files and streams. | MediaElement.js is an HTML5 audio and video player framework that provides a consistent interface across browsers. |
| Support | The application page links to the Dragon Player Handbook and KDE forum for help, and to KDE Bugzilla to report bugs. | The product site directs users with accessibility concerns to create an issue on GitHub. |
Plans
In their own words
Dragon Player
Dragon Player has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
MediaElement.js
MediaElement.js is an HTML5 audio and video library for presenting media through a common player interface across browsers. It includes an HTML and CSS player and a shared MediaElement API. Supported media includes MP4, WebM, MP3, HLS and DASH; embedded sources include YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, DailyMotion, Facebook and SoundCloud. The product site says its video player meets WCAG 2.1, BITV 2.0 and EN 301 549 accessibility requirements. Captions, subtitles and chapters can use HTML track elements with SRT or VTT files. For cross-browser caption handling, those files must be hosted on the same domain as the player. Installation options include a package, CDN, Git, npm, Bower and Meteor, with usage guidance for JavaScript, jQuery, RequireJS and React. The project also documents WordPress and Drupal integration. It supports browser versions including IE11+, Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari, as well as iOS 8+ and Android 4.0+. The library is MIT-licensed and free; add-ons include Chromecast, AirPlay, playlists, ads and playback speed control.