Plex AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Media Players for Mac

There are many alternatives to Plex for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac Media Player alternative is Jellyfin, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Plex and 12 are Media Players available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac Media Player alternatives to Plex are Emby, Infuse, MediaChips and JRiver Media Center.

filter to find the best alternatives

Plex alternatives are mainly Media Players, but if you're looking for Media Centers or Media Servers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Android, Open Source, Apple TV, Linux, Mac, Chrome OS and Self-Hosted. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Plex.
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Alternatives list

  1. Jellyfin icon

    Jellyfin

     334 likes

    A free, open-source media system alternative to proprietary options like Emby and Plex, with Chromecast support, 4K streaming, plugin extensions, focusing on privacy without premium features, managing media from dedicated servers to multiple devices via various apps.

    51 Jellyfin alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • Tizen OS
    • F-Droid
    • Android TV
    • Kodi
    • Docker
    • Fire TV
    • Roku
    • Cloudron
    Jellyfin screenshot 1
     
    |
    18
    Comments about Jellyfin as an Alternative to Plex
    Top Positive Comment
    seczamotu
    9

    It's FOSS and they don't spy on you. No paywalls and 'Premium' packages. It's completely free.

    obradk
    0

    It would be ok except it's impossible to disable transcoding and have decent subtitles. It's slow, but it's FOSS and it's not trying to upsell you at all times.

    intp
    Positive
    0

    Certainly a viable free, open-source alternative, but be advised that getting it working with a Roku, for example, can be a lot more challenging for less tech savvy users.

    3 of 18 comments
    Jellyfin icon
    Jellyfin icon
    • Jellyfin is Free and Open SourcePlex is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Jellyfin is Privacy focusedPlex is not according to our users
  2. Emby icon

    Emby

     170 likes

    Emby, formerly Media Browser, is a media aggregator plugin for Media Center that takes your recorded, digital, or ripped media and presents it in a simple, easy to use interface. Emby prides itself on delivering a fast, intuitive, media rich experience for the whole family.

    49 Emby alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple TV
    • Kindle Fire
    • Cloudron
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    Emby screenshot 1
     
    |
    7
    Comments about Emby as an Alternative to Plex
    Top Positive Comment
    Horaciogarro
    5

    Is the exact alternative to Plex.+ web server!

    dzevel5
    Positive
    -1

    Plex is horrible at consumer privacy! Emby just a perfect solution especially for NAS.

    While Plex logging and collecting data, Emby won’t and then device can go into sleep mode perfect.

    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    A superb alternative to plex, much faster streaming start of the video over internet.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 7 comments
    Emby icon
    Emby icon
    • Emby is Freemium and ProprietaryPlex is also Freemium and Proprietary
  4. Infuse icon

    Infuse

     50 likes

    Ignite your video content with Infuse – the beautiful way to watch almost any video format on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. No need to convert files! Infuse is optimized for iOS 12, with powerful streaming options, trakt sync, and unmatched AirPlay & subtitle support.

    110 Infuse alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple TV
    • visionOS
    Infuse screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Infuse as an Alternative to Plex
    Guest
    Negative
    4

    This is equivalent to other media players (like VLC etc.) not to streaming media servers like Plex.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Infuse icon
    Infuse icon
    • Infuse is Freemium and ProprietaryPlex is also Freemium and Proprietary
  5. MediaChips icon

    MediaChips

     18 likes

    This app for navigating your large video collection. Add tags, performers, websites, sort/filter videos, create playlists and play them in the built-in player.

    39 MediaChips alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    MediaChips screenshot 1
     
  9. nessMediaCenter icon

    nessMediaCenter

     21 likes

    Use your Mac as optimal media center!

    nessMediaCenter is the suitable replacement for Apple's Front Row: easy to use with a clean look and feel, direct access to movie / picture folder and volumes, support of Aperture, iPhoto and iTunes media including DRM, and comfortable.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Apple TV
    Start screen of nessMediaCenter on iMac
     
  10. Channels - Watch TV Your Way icon

    Channels - Watch TV Your Way

     31 likes

    Watch, record, organize, and curate your favorite shows and movies with Channels. From your living room, second home, hotel room, or even on your commute, Channels lets you watch your personal media your way.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Apple TV
    • Fire TV
    • Android TV
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Docker
    Channels - Watch TV Your Way screenshot 1
     
  11. nessViewer icon

    nessViewer

     12 likes

    nessViewer is the all-round media application to edit, browse, collect and arrange, present, transfer and stream media. It combines media player, media center, media server, media editor and preview tool.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Media shows: manage storable playlists with local and internet media
     
  12. Cinematica icon

    Cinematica

     3 likes

    Cinematica manages your growing collection of video files perfectly, with a range of options to suit every need. Now it is easy to organize, categorize, and search your growing video collection.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Cinematica screenshot 1
     
  14. Sofaplay icon

    Sofaplay

     3 likes

    SofaPlay allows you to play media files directly from your Mac on the tv. It connects your Mac to your Smart TV and takes care of the streaming. Just drag any movie file onto SofaPlay and it will appear instantly on the big screen in front of you.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Sofaplay screenshot 1
     
12 of 12 Plex alternatives