MediaElement.js vs Plyr
MediaElement.js
mediaelementjs.comPlyr
plyrjs.comSide by side
| Figure | MediaElement.js | Plyr |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Video Player Software | 8.4 (#8) | 7.4 (#32) |
| Accessibility | The product site says its video player complies with WCAG 2.1, BITV 2.0, and EN 301 549 accessibility requirements. | It supports VTT captions and screen readers. |
| License | The project repository identifies the software license as MIT. | The repository identifies the project as MIT licensed. |
| Product | MediaElement.js is an HTML5 audio and video library that provides a unified player interface across browsers. | Plyr is a lightweight, accessible and customizable media player for HTML5, YouTube and Vimeo. |
| Support | The product site directs users with accessibility concerns to create an issue on GitHub. | The README directs ad questions to vi.ai and asks users to report rendering issues through GitHub issues. |
Plans
In their own words
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.