20 Best MKV Players for Android/Mac/iOS/Windows 10 in 2022

MKV Players are increasingly facing a rise in demand as more content is shipped through the MKV format. MKV is the most popular open-source media format that accompanies practically every entertainment needs. Under the current pandemic situation, movie and TV series bingers have gotten hooked on filling their leisure time with fulfilling media content. And since almost every film or TV show found on the Internet comes with an MKV file extension, finding external and free MKV Players is an immediate necessity.

Our ardent readers with previous knowledge regarding MKV files must understand that many default players belonging to multiple platforms, like Windows 10, Mac, iOS, and Android, do not support MKV players by default. For those who know nothing of such sort, fear not, for we will help you understand what MKV files are and why default media players treat viewing MKV files as a separate case. Finally, in the main section, we give you the 20 Best MKV Players for Android/Mac/iOS/Windows 10 with their own feature list, impressions collected from multiple user reviews, and download links. Some MKV Players support more than one platform, so make sure to check out the Platform section under each MKV Players.

What does MKV stand for?

MKV files, commonly known as Matroska Video files, were created in 2002 in Russia. Matryoshka, the Russian term for Nesting Dolls, inspired the name. Matroska was created as an open standards project, which implies that it is totally free for personal usage. MKV files, contrary to common perception, are neither audio nor video compression format.

MKV files are multimedia container formats that combine audio, video, and subtitles into a single file, even if each part is encoded differently and each element is lossless. For example, you might have an MKV file that includes H.264 video, music in the form of MP3 or AAC, and SRT subtitles.

MKV container files were intended to be future-proof, which means they will not become obsolete. Matroska developers added many unique, essential elements to do this, including:

The MKV container supports almost any music and video format, making it highly adaptable and simple to use.

Do Smart TVs play MKV files?

Nowadays, most Smart TVs are shipped with the latest OS installed inside their internal memory. MKV files being an open-source development project, have increased in popularity in the past few years. Newer models of Smart TVs can play MKV files rather fluently on their device’s default media player (Samsung TV). If the Smart TV runs on any version of Android in its background, external players mentioned under the “Best MKV Players for Android” section will help properly stream MKV container files through the right codecs.

Content playability initially depends on what video or audio format is used inside the MKV container file. For example, although Samsung TV claims to accept MKV files, it cannot play those that include Dolby Audio or other incompatible formats, eventually leading to buffering, hanging, or video loops.

The viable option for maximum compatibility of Smart TVs with MKV files is converting such files through popular media conversion tools into device-specific media formats.

Why Windows Media Player Cannot Play MKV?

When it comes to MKV Players for Windows 10, Windows Media Player doesn’t come near to the list, simply because the default media player of Windows 10 does not support this viral open-source media container format. The reason is simple, Windows Media Player doesn’t contain the codecs for handling MKV files by default. Codecs help disassemble the video file format it caters to and provide a permanent link with the media player, making it one of MKV Players.

And as to why MKV is not supported by default on Windows 10/Mac/Android/iOS, MKV is considered “unfit for industrial purposes.” This statement merely unjustified the capabilities of MKV as a media format. Multiple Standards Development Organizations (SDO), e.g., ISO, IETF, sponsor different media formats and set forth a collection of formal rules (IPR). Any media format which does not comply with IPR rules or isn’t supported by an SDO gets lost in the shadows and remains separated from the mainstream. Since the MKV container format is an open-source project and lacks significant commercial benefits, it is not considered fit for the major leagues.

Part I: Best MKV Players for Windows 10

1. VLC Media Player

Platforms: Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Android TV

VLC Media Player (Video Lan Client) is the best and most favorite MKV Player for Windows 10. It is elementary to visualize why this MKV Player for Windows 10 is extremely popular. It’s free and supports almost all file formats without needing to download additional codecs. Moreover, these MKV Players can optimize video and audio playback for your chosen device extensively supports streaming and extended infinitely with downloadable plugins. These capabilities also allow users to integrate their software and stream with other applications.

Not only for Windows, but VLC is the best MKV Player for Android, iOS, and Mac, thereby being our go-to media player for any media playback. Numerous features of VLC make it a highlight among impressive MKV Players for different platforms, some of which we have listed below.

2. KMPlayer

Platforms: Windows, Android, Mac, iOS

KMPlayer is a heavy-duty MKV Player for Windows 10 and other platforms, fulfilling every need you have but not in a straightforward way. Being a powerful MKV Player, it also has abundant features and settings that take a considerable amount of time to fully understand. While users enjoy playing with KMPlayer, others may not find it as easy and fundamental as the other comparable MKV Players.

While it is excellent to have MKV Players that offers plenty of other capabilities, the critical factor in how helpful the program is its capacity to play various media formats. The ability to handle several file types ensures that KMP will open all your media files. While it may not be very fancy, the KMP Interface looks neat and elegant. Also, the software is very customizable since you may download various skins and adjust the appearance to your desire. Other KMP features are:

3. SMPlayer

Platforms: Windows, Mac

SMPlayer is a friendly and straightforward MKV player for Windows 10, Linux, and Mac that comes pre-installed with codecs capable of playing almost any video or audio file. It is self-contained and does not need any additional codecs. Simply install SMPlayer, and you’ll be able to play any format without having to search for and install codec packs.

Features:

4. GOM Player

Platforms: Windows, Android, iPhone, iPad

GOM Player is a free video and audio suite that has complete compatibility for just about every file type, mainly MKV players, and it even has 360-degree VR video capabilities. This allows you to not only watch YouTube videos but also the ones you have recorded yourself. Even while it may not be trendy right now, it’s a video format that will only increase in prominence over the next several months and years. Recently GOM Player has launched for Android and iOS, making GOM for Android the best MKV Player for Android and a spectacular MKV Player for iOS.

Features:

5. DAPlayer (aka. 5KPlayer)

Platforms: Windows

The formerly known DAPlayer has now been rebranded to 5KPlayer, a handy, capable, and free MKV player for Windows 10 that functions with hundreds of file types, including high-definition video. What’s the secret of DAPlayer? The application comes preloaded with more than 400 audio and video codecs, so you can play just about any video file without the bother of having to hunt for and download missing codecs.

Unlike your hard disc, DVDs and Blu-rays are also supported by such simple MKV Players. DAPlayer supports high-quality video (AVCHD, MKV, H264, and more), so you can watch your favorite movies and TV programs in fantastic 1080p HD.

DAPlayer offers a beautiful and straightforward design with concealed menus that can be accessed from the top of the window. The player’s settings allow players to control the video, audio, subtitles, and many other features. A negative factor of such an outstanding MKV Player for Windows 10 is that the skin is so dark that you have trouble seeing the menu.

Part II: Best MKV Player for Android

6. MX Player

Platform: Android, Google TV, iOS

If you are looking for the Best MKV Player for Android, apart from being a versatile media Player, look nowhere else than MX Player. MX Player supports almost every codec and packs a plethora of valuable features, navigation shortcuts, essential video editing tools, and seamless performance into the Best MKV Player for Android devices.

Unfortunately, MX Player Free falls under MKV players that come bundled with ads. MX Player Pro comes at a meager cost of $5.49 that provides an uninterrupted video experience devoid of ads.

7. BS Player

Platform: Android, Windows

BS Player is among influential MKV Players providing enriching media playing opportunities on your Android device since the old days. This video player lacks any unusual or flashy features, yet it’s very well-equipped for everyday use. You can also use it straight out of the box with virtually any video file since BSPlayer is highly customizable. As soon as it scans your system for playable media, it will begin playing it. Features that make it the Best MKV Player for Android include:

ARMv7 with VFP and NEON support is included in this package. You may need to download additional software depending on your processor type. You will be notified when it is time to install the software you require.

BS Player Free version comes bundles up with full-scree and popup ads. You can upgrade to BS Player Pro for $5.99 with Chromecast support and No Ads interruption.

8. Mobo Player

Platform: Android

Mobo Player, like BS Player, has been there throughout most of Android’s growth and has matured into respectable MKV Players in the course of that time. It comes pre-installed with all the required capabilities, including hardware and software decoding, support for subtitles, playlists, and continuous playback. Using Mobo Player in DLNA TVs, one can stream videos over HTTP and RTSP protocols. It even has the capability of supporting plugins for additional functionality. It is possible to generate animated gifs of the videos playing using Mobo Player, a valuable function of the Best MKV Player for Android.

Mobo Player has been discontinued from the Play Store due to a lack of updates, but it can be downloaded from an external source as linked here. 

9. Plex

Platform: Android, Windows, Mac, iOS

Plex is one of the most popular MKV players available on the Google Play Store, and it is entirely free as the Best MKV Player for Android. To utilize it, customers must first install a server on their computer, after which it will stream material from the computer to the smartphone. This function is very beneficial for people who have limited storage space on their phones and need to save media.

As a result of its usage of the XBMC framework, it transforms your personal computer into a media server that can be accessed from various devices and allows you to watch films, view photographs, listen to music, and manage your digital media collection. Aside from the remote server capability, it includes all of the other sorts of features that make it a superb video player in its own right. A free and paid edition is available, with the free version providing limited access to some functions.

10. Archos Video Player Free

Platform: Android

The Archos Video Player software has received critical praise and provides an uncompromised video experience as the Best MKV Player for Android tablets, phones, and Android TV devices. It is compatible with various video formats, including MKV, MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, etc. The free version of the program is packed with advertising and reduced functionality, but there is a paid upgrade to accommodate the needs of hardcore users. Some of its notable features are:

Part III: Best MKV Player for Mac

11. Elmedia Player

Platform: Mac

Elmedia is a modern MKV player for Mac that delivers all-in-one app capabilities such as playing video, enhancing the quality of your video watching experience, and assisting you with any video issue like synchronizing audio/subtitles or changing your video subtitles. Watching videos without advertisements on a variety of platforms is another fantastic feature offered by Elmedia players. Tons of other features make Elmedia an outstanding MKV Player for Mac, some of which are listed below:

12. Mac Blu-ray Player

Platform: Mac, Windows

Price: Free Trial (3 Months), $39.20 (lifetime license)

If you desire MKV Players that not only play MKV and video files of any extension but also provide endless support for your high-quality Blu-ray Discs, Blu-ray folders, ISO files, then Mac Blu-ray Player is the Best MKV Player for Mac.

13. IINA

Platform: Mac (Requires OS X 10.11+)

The IINA MKV Player for Mac is a contemporary macOS application, and it is reflected in the framework and user interface. It uses the macOS design language after Yosemite and keeps pace with the new features like Force Touch, Touch Bar, and Picture-in-Photo, which are shipped with the latest Mac devices. It is more potent than Mac’s default QuickTime Player and less clunky than the Best MKV Player for Mac, VLC Media Player.

14. NicePlayer

Platform: Mac

NicePlayer is a borderless fullscreen multi-engine MKV player for Mac designed to play movies of any extension on a PC running macOS. This features easy-to-use scrub and queue controls, customizable playlists, and floating windows with no borders.

Such MKV Players are an excellent substitute for QuickTime (default media player of Mac) and a faster alternative to VLC. The features that make NicePlayer unique are listed below:

15. MKPlayer – MKV & Media Player

Platform: Mac

When it comes to watching movies on MKV Players and listening to songs on them simultaneously, MKPlayer is an outstanding choice as an MKV Player for Mac. Movies and TV shows may be more enjoyable and better optimized via the video player’s unique and handy playback functions. MKPlayer has a Pro version available for unlocking via in-app purchase at $6.99, with which we can watch media on any smart TV and listen to audio files as well.

MKPlayer’s unique features include:

Part IV: Best MKV Player for iOS:

All Apple devices running iOS such as the iPhone and iPad support a limited number of video file extensions such as M4V, MP4, and MOV. Video files belonging to any other format are considered external media, and they have to be converted before they are recognized by the default video player of iOS, iTunes. The MKV Players listed here aim at playing these files without the need for conversion, thereby saving a lot of time and energy. Read on further to find out about the Best MKV Player for iOS.

16. Documents-File Manager, Browser

Platform: iOS

On the outside, the Documents app by Readdle is the most powerful application available for your iOS device. It serves as the central repository for all your data, as it replaces the default document viewer, PDF reader, “read it later” feature, music and video player, file downloader, and cloud integrator with a single beautiful program. But we are interested in whether Documents can perform as other MKV Players.

Thankfully the Documents app serves as the best MKV Player for iOS with increasing support for other extensions. You can play all your favorite movies, documentaries, thrillers, and TV series in this magnificent app. External files can be added to the Documents library from your iOS, laptop, computer, server, or the Internet. After adding, simply tap on the video to start the media player, without the need for converting it into a supported format.

The MKV Player for iOS is quite simple and delivers the minimum requirements for an enriching experience. Embedded, internal, and externally downloaded subtitles belonging to different file extensions are supported, and the playback speed can be changed. Due to its increased popularity among MKV Players, developers have added some new features:

17. GoodPlayer

Platform: iOS

Apple’s tight limitations prohibit an MKV player for iOS from performing optimally on their hardware. That said, although GoodPlayer (available in iTunes at $2.99) doesn’t have as many features as its competitors, it’s still able to perform well by playing and streaming almost everything you throw at it.

18. OPlayer

Platform: iOS, Android

Apple has been cracking down on third-party apps on iTunes since the discontinuation of external browsers due to Safari, as they want everyone to move to their native apps. But OPlayer has managed to compete with default unsupported MKV Players and stands out as a remarkable MKV Player for iOS.

OPlayer makes it possible to view and listen to virtually any kind of video or music. Even for a mobile app, this is one of the sturdiest MKV players ever encountered. One of the most significant benefits of using OPlayer is that it plays various file types, including MKV, AVI, WMA, MP3, RM, AAC, WMV, MP4, RMVB, MOV, 3GP, MPG, and WAV. There are two OPlayer versions on the App Store, with the lite and preliminary versions showcased.

Since you’ll be using it on a tablet, the additional two bucks are worth it. One of the best things any mobile MKV player for iOS may have is access to your home computer or an FTP site via Auto Discovery. Google Docs, Dropbox, and other media host sites may be accessed by clicking the Open URL button. There is also a built-in music player with an iTunes feel, where you may explore your iTunes files. The software file browser lets you move, cut, and paste files in a user-friendly manner.

This software is not only worth every cent, but it’s also a steal. The basic OPlayer is available for $2.99, while the lite version with reduced features is free.

19. APlayer – Alook Player

APlayer is another MKV Player for iOS that supports streaming video files directly on your iPhone or iPad without the need for conversion or considering file format support. These MKV Players stream local and online videos on iOS through iTunes File Sharing and perform like a regular MKV Player for iOS.

20. Fast Player

Platform: iOS

According to user reviews, Fast Player does an excellent and balanced job at being a dedicated and minimalist MKV player for iOS devices such as iPhone and iPad. It is one of the fastest MKV Players to exist with all-around media decoding and no transcoding. Being a fantastic alternative to the default iTunes app, this MKV player for iOS serves almost all formats of video and audio (MKV, MP4, AVI, MKV, RMVB, FLV, WMV, WAV, 3GP, MOV, SWF, MPEG). Video decoding facilities are available for XVID, H264, and DVIX formats. 

Also Read:

10 Best Browsers for Android with Flash Player
30 Best Root Apps for Android Smartphone
10 Best Video Editing Apps for Android

FAQs

Why can’t I play MKV file on my PC?

Your PC might not play MKV files for the following reasons:

What is the best MKV Player for Windows 10?

The best MKV player for Windows 10 is undoubtedly the VLC Media Player. The software offers a great range of compatibility and functionality required to function as a hardy yet customizable and stable MKV Player. It supports a wide range of features such as editing videos, live streaming, bookmarking, taking a screenshot, synchronization, subtitle downloader, etc.

Which media player can play MKV files?

Any media player that supports opening files ending with the MKV keyword can play MKV files. We have listed 20 such Popular and assorted MKV Players in the article for platforms such as Windows 10, Android, Mac OS, iOS. Some noticeable media players that can play MKV files are VLC Media Player, KMPlayer, MX Player, GOM Player, etc.

How do I fix a corrupted MKV file?

If you find a corrupted MKV file on your computer, here are the things you can do:

Does VLC play MKV?

Yes, the VLC Media Player can play MKV media files thoroughly, as it includes all the codecs required for decoding and encoding an MKV media format file. VLC is supported by major platforms like Windows 10, Android, macOS, and iOS.

Verdict on MKV Players

Although multiple platforms and OS have begun to include support for playing video files in their default media players, they will not include the features of MKV Players in their arsenal. The MKV Players mentioned in this list have garnered colossal user support despite lacking any help from the corporates, primarily due to their openly sourced nature and the plethora of unique features each delivers.

We have been pleased to bring forth these notable MKV Players for Android/Mac/iOS/Windows 10 through this comprehensive article. Hence we urge you to kindly go through the same, find out which one best MKV Players you like according to the device you own and leave a comment below on your experience with them.

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