Top Cross Platform Video Players in 2024

In 2024, video is used everywhere. From websites to apps, videos play a crucial role in engaging consumers for any business. That is why, today’s video players must be compatible with all devices and platforms. Such video players are called cross platform video players, and are currently in high demand. If you are a developer, looking for top cross platform video players for your website or app, then you are on the right page! 

In this blog, we will tell you about the top cross platform video players in 2024, their top features, pros, cons, and pricing, so that you can take informed decisions and choose the right player. But before that, let’s discuss the need for cross platform players in the first place. 

Why Do You Need A Cross Platform Video Player?

In today’s world, access to diverse content across multiple devices is the norm. And that’s where cross-platform video players become a vital tool. They are used for multiple purposes and offer some major USPs that are missing in platform-specific players. 

Uses of Cross-Platform Video Player

Cross-platform media and video players are used for varied purposes, but some of their most prominent uses are:

1. Unified Access: Cross-platform video players offer seamless access to content across multiple devices including laptops, phones, tablets, Smart TVs, and even game consoles. 
2. Easy Development: You don’t need to juggle between different players while developing apps for different devices, as cross-platform video players eliminate the need for separate players for each device.
3. Offline Viewing: The viewers can download videos on one device and watch them offline on another. 
4. Multiple SDKs: Get SDKs for multiple platforms, in multiple languages, including Bootstrap, WordPress, PHP, React, Ruby on Rails, Laravel, jQuery, AngularJS, Django, etc.

Pros and Cons of Cross Platform Video Players

Cross platform video players have multiple advantages, like:

• Convenience: You can manage your video player settings and customizations across all your apps on different devices from a single place. 
• Cost-Effectiveness: You don’t need to buy multiple subscriptions of different players. Cross-platform players often offer affordable, unified plans.
• Wider Reach: Reach a broader audience by making your content accessible on various devices and operating systems.
• Flexibility: Let your audience enjoy videos anytime, anywhere, on any device, adapting to their dynamic lifestyle.

But just like benefits, cross platform players have some downsides too, that you need to be aware of. Some of them are listed below:

• Complexity: Managing and maintaining a single player that flawlessly works across diverse platforms can be technically challenging.
• Device Specificity: Certain features or video players might not be supported by all devices.

Hence, you would have to carefully choose a cross-platform video player that is built with a developer-first attitude. Such players are created in a way that minimizes your efforts and comes with very minimum cons. 

USPs of Cross Platform Video Players

Cross platform video players offer some special features that other players rarely offer, like:

• Multi-screen playback, synchronized subtitles across devices, offline caching, and cloud storage for your video library are some of their stand-out features.
• Seamless integration with streaming services, social media platforms, and content management systems can boost user engagement and convenience.
• Helps you offer some high-level customization for different devices while maintaining a core, consistent user experience.
• Prioritize smooth playback, fast loading times, and efficient resource utilization across various platforms and internet speeds.

Top Cross Platform Video Players in 2024

In 2024, there are many reputable cross platform video players in the market. But all of them do not offer all the latest and trendy features. And while choosing a player for your platform, you would always want the best, that offers the best-in-class features. Right?

So, to ease out your work, our player experts have tested and reviewed all the leading cross platform video players in the market. And based on their review, here are the top 5 👇

1. Muvi Player SDKs

Muvi Player SDKs come with cross-platform compatibility, customizable options, and monetization features, that make it a versatile choice for diverse usage. It is appropriate for embedding seamless video playback into your web, mobile, and TV applications. It is a compelling solution for developers seeking a reliable and feature-rich video playback platform.

Features

• Cross-platform compatibility with over 16+ OS environments
• Adaptive streaming
• Multiple Customization options 
• Monetization support
• Detailed analytics
• DRM and advanced security features
• Subtitle support
• Chromecast and AirPlay support

Pros

• Simple SDKs and comprehensive documentation make integration quick and smooth.
• A large number of built-in features eliminates the need for additional plugins or tools.
• Suitable for handling varying video volumes.
• Compared to other players, Muvi Player SDKs are affordable, as they follow the pay-as-you-go pricing model.

Cons

For advanced features, you might have to upgrade to their Enterprise plan.

Pricing

They follow a Pay As You Go pricing model, where you will be charged US $0.001 per view, and the first 100 views are free. However, if you are looking for large-scale utilization with premium features, you might want to upgrade to their Enterprise plan, which starts at US $499 per month. 

Click here to get started with Muvi Player SDKs for FREE!

2. VideoJS

VideoJS is a popular open-source JavaScript video player library. VideoJS is known to prioritize flexibility and customization over built-in features. Thus it is ideal for developers seeking enhanced control over video playback. But at the same time, they will have less number of built-in trending features.  

Features

• Extensive plugins and themes
• Lightweight and responsive
• Custom controls
• In-video advertising
• Analytics integration.

Pros

• You have complete control over every aspect of the player, from UI to functionality.
• Since it is open-source, it is freely available for modification and integration into any project.
• A vast community provides troubleshooting, plugin recommendations, and ongoing development updates.
• Can be easily extended to meet specific needs through plugins and custom code.

Cons

• Requires developers to have advanced JavaScript and web development knowledge.
• Lacks features like DRM. Features like advanced analytics, and monetization options are not available out of the box.
• You’re responsible for bug fixes, updates, and compatibility issues. You will not get any technical support. 

Pricing

VideoJS is completely free to use. However, some premium plugins and themes might have associated costs. 

3. JW Player

JW Player offers a blend of powerful features and customization options. It is robust and offers extensive monetization options and security features too. But you might have limitations in lower pricing bands. 

Features

• Cross-platform playback
• Adaptive streaming
• Extensive ad formats
• Customization with SDKs
• DRM Security
• User analytics
• Closed captions 
• Interactive overlays

Pros

• JW Player offers built-in features for ad monetization, security, analytics, and advanced functionalities.
• It can handle high video volumes.
• You can customize the player UI and features to create a unique viewing experience.

Cons

• The free plan restricts features, storage, and bandwidth.
• Customization through SDKs requires developer expertise, potentially increasing upfront costs.

Pricing

You need to contact their sales team to know the exact pricing. 

4. TheoPlayer

TheoPlayer is a top-tier video player solution for broadcasters and media businesses. Ir prioritizes reliability, security, and control. Its robust features, advanced analytics, and seamless integrations make it ideal for delivering high-quality video experiences to large audiences. However, the higher pricing and steeper learning curve might make it less suitable for smaller businesses or those on a tight budget.

Features

• Broadcast-grade playback
• Multi-DRM support
• Geo-restriction
• Advanced analytics
• Integrations
• Mobile-first design

Pros

• TheoPlayer’s infrastructure is built for high reliability and scalability, ensuring your videos are always up and running. 
• Advanced DRM protocols and content protection features keep your valuable content safe from unauthorized access.
• Detailed analytics provide valuable data to help you understand your audience and optimize your video strategy.
• Integrates easily with existing workflows and tools, minimizing setup time and complexity.

Cons

• The free plan has significant limitations on features, storage, and bandwidth.
• Compared to some other video player solutions, TheoPlayer’s pricing can be on the higher end.
• You might require some technical expertise to handle its advanced features. 

Pricing

You need to talk to their experts to know the pricing. 

5. Video for Everybody

Video for Everybody is a simple and lightweight HTML5 video player solution designed for developers who want to quickly and easily embed video playback into their website or blog. It prioritizes accessibility and cross-browser compatibility, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

Features

• Responsive design
• Basic controls
• Automatically switches to Flash.
• Lightweight 

Pros

• Perfect for individuals and small businesses on a budget.
• They are ideal for beginner developers with limited coding experience.
• Works across various browsers and devices without additional plugins.
• Doesn’t take up much space or overwhelm the user interface.

Cons

• Lacks advanced functionalities like security, subtitles, and analytics.
• The player UI remains unchanged and cannot be tailored to brand specifications.
• The fallback to Flash might not be compatible with some modern devices.
• The project no longer receives updates, potentially leading to compatibility issues in the future.

Pricing

Video for Everybody is completely free and open-source. 

To Sum Up

Cross platform video players are the most popular players in today’s times, as they work effortlessly with all devices and ecosystems. In 2024, the top 5 cross-platform video players are:

1. Muvi Player SDKs
2. VideoJS
3. JW Player
4. TheoPlayer
5. Video for Everybody

Some of them, like VideoJS and Video for Everybody, are free and open source and hence offer limited functionalities. TheoPlayer and JW Player are highly feature-rich and reliable, but their pricing is on the higher side. Hence, if you are looking for a cross platform video player that offers extensive premium features but also fits within your budget, then Muvi Player SDKs is the best option for you. 

Muvi Player SDKs offer multiple industry-leading features, cross-platform compatibility with 16+ OS environments, along with detailed documentation of SDKs, and a modular structure, making them extremely developer-friendly and easy to work with. 

On top of that, they follow Pay As You Go pricing structure. Hence, you can start using the player without paying anything upfront. So, why wait? Sign up to get started with Muvi Player SDKs today!