mpv vs QuickTime Player

mpv is a free, open-source command-line media player for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. It plays a wide range of media formats, audio and video codecs, and subtitle types, including Matroska (MKV) and MP4, with network playback and 4K playback support. Its interface is deliberately limited: there is no full graphical interface, only a small on-screen controller for basic playback. Video output is based on OpenGL, Vulkan, and D3D11, with scaling, color management, frame timing, interpolation, and HDR features. mpv can use hardware decoding APIs on its supported platforms, and decoding can be switched on while the player is running. Scripts and user-created scripts can extend its behavior; developers can also use its C API to embed it in other applications. The project is actively developed. The default license is GPLv2 or later, with LGPLv2.1 or later available for builds configured with -Dgpl=false. Only the latest stable release receives security updates.

QuickTime Player is Apple’s free player for video and audio files on macOS. It supports MOV, H.264, HEVC, MPEG-4 audio, and AAC, along with network playback, subtitles, hardware acceleration, and 4K playback. Controls include play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, and speed settings from 2x through 60x, with smaller steps between 1.1x and 2x. Files can play through AirPlay or in a picture-in-picture window. QuickTime Player trims, rearranges, rotates, and splits movies, records the whole Mac screen or a selected area, and captures connected iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch screens. Camera recording can use built-in or external hardware. Movie exports are.mov using H.264 or HEVC; audio-only exports use MPEG4 audio, and MP4 video export is not available. Export resolutions include 4K, 1080p, 720p, 480p, and Audio Only, subject to the source. It is included with macOS at free.