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mpv

A minimal video player controlled by a config file and keys.

Instead of Streaming players

S · GadgetOpen sourceMinimal
mpv.io
Screenshot of the mpv website

Screenshot from mpv.io, taken 2026-10-23, shown to help you recognise the tool. It belongs to its maker. Ask us to remove it.

Suppose a video player opened and showed you the video and nothing else. mpv is that player: it plays almost anything in a bare window, and you shape it with a text file and keystrokes. It runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, it is light and open source, and it has no account or tracking.

mpv scores a 5 on footprint, lock-in, self-direction, power and longevity.

The bare window and the config file make it a poor fit for people who want buttons, and Delivery is a 2.

Living with it means a config file you can tune to taste, and a keyboard that does the work the buttons would do elsewhere.

    What stands out

  • A bare window that plays almost anything
  • Shaped by a text config file
  • Poor fit if you want menus and buttons
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For comparison, we also reviewed YouTube (16/30) as a benchmark.

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