Overview

MediaInfo reports details about a media file’s container, video and audio streams, text tracks and chapters. That makes it useful for checking what a file actually contains, whether you are assessing a single clip or incorporating metadata inspection into a wider workflow.

The software is open source under a BSD-style license. MediaArea, the maker, describes itself as an open-source company focused on digital media analysis; it is based in Pignan, France, and MediaInfo dates to 2007.

Key features

Metadata across media formats

MediaInfo reads formats including MPEG-4, Matroska, AVI, MXF, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, MP3, AAC, FLAC, SRT and ASS. The mix covers containers, codecs and subtitle formats, while the reported categories span container, video, audio, text and chapter information. It is a practical fit for checking file composition and tags, rather than relying on a filename or a single summary.

Views, exports and interfaces

Reports can be viewed as text, sheet, tree or HTML and exported as text, CSV or HTML. The range supports both direct inspection and passing results into another workflow. A graphical interface suits individual file checks; command-line and library versions suit users who need different ways to work with the same metadata. Drag-and-drop and context-menu integration can bring checks into the operating system shell.

MediaInfo supports offline file analysis, but not real-time analysis. MediaInfoOnline offers a browser-based option and says files remain on the user’s machine rather than being uploaded to MediaArea’s servers. It is a technology preview, so readers who need a browser workflow should weigh that caveat.

Pricing

MediaInfo is free software: the MediaInfo plan costs 0.00 USD per free and uses a BSD-style license. There is no free trial to weigh against a paid tier; the software itself is free, which makes it suitable for individual users and teams that need metadata inspection without a software subscription.

Professional services have custom pricing and are billed separately. MediaArea offers development and consulting, support with a guarantee of service, and non-regression tests. These services are for organizations seeking integration, maintenance or tailored support, not a higher-capacity software plan.

Platforms

MediaInfo is available for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows, as well as through self-hosted and web options. The download page includes releases for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and multiple Linux distributions, plus a JavaScript module and source builds. The command-line and library versions add workflow choices beyond the graphical application.

Who it's for

MediaInfo is a strong fit for anyone who needs to inspect media metadata across varied file types, export a report, or use the tool through a graphical interface, command line or library. Its free, open-source license also suits users who want to build on or integrate the software. It is less suitable for audio work that depends on live measurement: MediaInfo analyzes files offline and does not provide real-time analysis.

Pros and cons

Pros: Broad format support and reporting across container, video, audio, text and chapter data make it useful for varied media files.
Pros: Four viewing formats and three export formats provide options for reading reports and sharing results.
Pros: Graphical, command-line and library versions, with shell integration, can fit both direct checks and other workflows.
Pros: The software is free and open source under a BSD-style license, and supports offline file analysis.
Cons: No real-time analysis; users who need live audio measurement should choose a different kind of tool.
Cons: MediaInfoOnline is a technology preview, making it a less settled choice for a browser-dependent workflow.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of tools in this area, browse Audio Analysis Software.

Open Audio Analyzer is another free option with a free plan and support for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.
Open Sound Meter may suit readers seeking a freemium alternative; its maker describes the desktop version as open source and invites GitHub contributions.
ACRCloud is worth considering for API access: its 14-day free trial includes full API access and requires no credit card.
Room EQ Wizard is a better fit for room or audio measurement, with a free plan that includes single-channel capture, a real-time analyzer and EQ tools.
Dusk Audio Spectrum Analyzer is a free alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows.
MeldaProduction MAnalyzer offers a free effect for macOS and Windows; its bundle’s professional upgrade adds sonogram access in analyzers, plugin resizing and styling, and preset management.
FUSER may suit users seeking a paid audio plugin: it costs 59.00 GBP per once and supports compatible 64-bit AU, VST 3 or AAX hosts on macOS and Windows.
Klangfreund Multimeter is a paid option at 59.00 USD per once, with demo measurements and adjustments limited to periods shorter than one minute.

Verdict

Choose MediaInfo if you need a free, open-source way to inspect and export metadata across a wide range of media formats, with several interfaces to suit your workflow. Look elsewhere if live analysis is essential, or if a browser-based workflow must be more than a technology preview.

	MediaInfo	Praat
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	Free
Platforms	Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows	Linux, macOS, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Real-time analysis	No
Offline file analysis	Yes
Analysis views	text, sheet, tree, HTML

MediaInfo vs Praat

MediaInfo

Praat