13 Best Video Players For IPad Pro And Air 2024

Are you looking for a great video player for your iPad? We have you covered! Whether you’re using an iPad Pro or iPad Air, there is no shortage of options when it comes to finding the perfect video player for your Apple device.

Thanks to its Retina display and powerful processor, the iPad Pro and iPad Air offer superb video playback quality. But in order to squeeze out the fullest potential, you need a power-packed video player that can make videos look even better.

Choosing the right app to play videos on iPad can be overwhelming due to the vast array of choices available on the App Store.

So, if you’re wondering which one is best suited for your iPad Pro or iPad Air, we’ve rounded up some of the top picks and highlighted their key features. In this article, you will find all you need to know about choosing and setting up the best video players for your iPad.

Table Of Contents

At a glance – Top Picks
13 Best video Players for iPad Pro and Air
Alternative Ways to Play Videos on iPad
How we ranked and picked the best videos players for iPad
How to choose the best video player for iPad
Alternative options for iPad
Why use a separate video player for iPad?
What to do when your iPad won't play videos anymore
FAQ

At a glance – Top Picks

Below are our top picks for the best video players for iPad:

13 Best video Players for iPad Pro and Air

But I will cover the best video players for iPads. Our topic is VLC media player, but you’ll also find other alternatives that work very well depending on what you need, we cover the features the pros and cons and compare each video player to each other.

1. VLC Media Player – Our Top iPad Video Player choice

VLC Media Player is my go-to video player for my Apple iPad Pro and Air. It’s a great app with a comprehensive set of features that make it the perfect choice for watching videos on the go. It supports audio formats, has a wide range of video players, and includes gesture control so you can easily navigate your media files.

Also see: VLC Media Player: Is it still the Best Video Player?

You can also access popular video formats like MKV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MOV, MP4, and others as well as uncommon video formats like DivX and H265. On top of that, VLC has an airplay feature to stream videos to AppleTV devices or any other AirPlay-enabled devices such as smart TVs or game consoles.

What I really appreciate about VLC is its powerful built-in browser that lets me access cloud services such as Dropbox and GDrive to watch my favorite movies or TV shows anywhere I go.

In addition to all these features, VLC also offers hardware acceleration which helps in playing high-quality videos without lagging or buffering.

The standout feature of VLC is its advanced video upscaling capabilities which help me enjoy even low-resolution videos in high quality. All in all, VLC Media Player is by far the best option for watching videos on my iPad Pro and Air!

2. nPlayer Lite – all-in-one player that can handle different types of media

I’m a big fan of nPlayer Lite, a multifunctional video player for iPad Pro and Air. It’s an incredibly versatile app with lots of features that make it perfect for watching movies and TV shows on the go.

The app supports all common video file formats, including MKV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MOV, MP4, etc., so I don’t have to worry about compatibility issues. Plus, its simple yet intuitive user interface is easy to use and navigate. What I really like about nPlayer Lite is its wireless streaming feature which allows me to stream my favorite movies and TV shows from cloud storage services such as Google Drive or OneDrive.

The app also has advanced subtitle options to improve my viewing experience and even comes with volume control for better sound quality.

Furthermore, nPlayer Lite supports airplay so I can easily cast videos onto my AppleTV device or any other AirPlay-enabled device like a smart TV or game console. All in all, this is by far one of the best options for enjoying movies and TV shows on my iPad Pro and Air!

3. Infuse – Highest Video quality

Infuse is one of the most reliable video players for the iPad Pro and Air available today. It’s an incredibly versatile app, offering an array of features that make it perfect for watching movies and TV shows on the go.

Infuse supports a wide range of audio and video formats, including MKV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MOV, MP4, etc., so you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues.

Plus, its gesture control feature makes it easy to navigate through videos with just a few taps. Additionally, Infuse offers cloud services support such as OneDrive or Google Drive streaming so I can watch my favorite content on the go.

What really sets this app apart from the rest is its AirPlay features which allow me to cast videos onto my AppleTV device or any other AirPlay-enabled device like a smart TV or game console.

It also has Hardware acceleration, which enables me to watch high quality videos without any lags or buffering issues. All in all, Infuse is one of the best apps for enjoying movies and TV shows on my iPad Pro and Air!

4. KM Player – Free, well known video player

KM Player is one of my favorite video players for my iPad Pro and Air. It’s a free, open-source media player that supports all the popular video formats, such as H.264, AVI, MOV, MP4, MKV, WMV, FLV and more.

On top of this, it also offers advanced features like upscaling videos to HD quality and built-in browser for streaming videos from cloud storage services like iCloud Drive or Dropbox. What sets KM Player apart from other apps is its unique feature – 8K playback which allows me to watch movies in ultra high definition with no lags or buffering issues.

Additionally, the app has adjustable volume control and advanced subtitles that you can customize to your liking. Finally, it also has wireless streaming capabilities so I can easily stream content from my computer without any cables or wires. All in all, KM Player is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a reliable video player for your iPad Pro and Air that offers great features and performance at no cost.

5. Video Player – A strong video management choice

Video Player is my go-to video player app for my iPad Pro and Air. It’s an incredibly powerful media manager that allows me to organize, manage, and play all my videos from one easy-to-use interface. It supports a wide range of audio formats, such as MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF and more.

I also get access to a library of over 1 million free music tracks that I can stream or download directly to my device. Another great feature is the gesture control which lets me control playback with simple taps and swipes. I also appreciate its advanced upscaling capabilities which allow me to watch high-quality videos even on low-end devices.

Furthermore, it boasts features like Airplay support for streaming content directly from my mobile device to a compatible TV or monitor. All in all, Video Player is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive media manager for their iPad Pro or Air.

6. OPlayer – Balanced Pick

OPlayer is one of the best video player apps for iPad Pro and Air. It’s an all-rounder that supports a wide range of formats, including MKV, 3GP, M4V, Blu-ray, Dolby Digital Music (AC3), and other common audio and video formats.

I’m also impressed with its built-in browser which allows me to watch videos directly from my favorite cloud storage services without having to download them first. On top of that, I can even control the playback volume using the volume slider in the app.

OPlayer offers hardware acceleration and advanced subtitles support as well as a standout feature that lets me stream videos wirelessly over AirPlay. All in all, OPlayer is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful video player for their iPad Pro or Air!

7. AirPlayer – iOS media player with a wide range of supported video formats

You can rely on AirPlayer for your video playing needs. It’s a great choice for any iOS user because of its intuitive interface and the ability to easily create playlists. I also love how I can access content from different cloud services, as well as stream videos wirelessly over AirPlay.

The gestures control makes it easy to navigate through menus and switch between videos without any hassle. Plus, it supports popular file formats such as MKV, 3GP, M4V, Blu-ray, Dolby Digital Music (AC3), and other audio and video formats.

With AirPlayer, I am able to watch high-quality videos with advanced video upscaling and enjoy my favorite content in both popular and uncommon video file formats. All in all, AirPlayer is a must-have app for anyone who wants an effortless way to view their favorite video content on their iPad Pro or Air!

8. YxPlayer – A fan favorite

I also love how YxPlayer conveniently lets me access content from cloud storage services like iCloud Drive and Google Drive. One standout feature of the app is its built-in browser which allows me to search for video files online quickly and easily.

On top of that, I can customize volume settings and even add advanced subtitles if I need them. Overall, YxPlayer Lite is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an efficient way to watch videos on their iPad Pro or Air!

9. PlayerXtreme Media Player

I’ve been using PlayerXtreme Media Player for my iPad Pro and Air for quite some time now, and I can confidently say that it’s the best video player out there. It supports all major audio formats, as well as a wide range of video file formats like MKV, MP4, AVI, and more.

What really sets this player apart is its advanced video upscaling feature which ensures a high-quality viewing experience even with uncommon video formats. Additionally, the app also has wireless streaming capabilities and allows me to cast content to other devices via AirPlay.

Volume control is also easily accessible in the app’s settings, allowing me to customize it according to my preferences. All in all, PlayerXtreme Media Player is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an efficient way to watch videos on their iPad Pro or Air!

10. 8Player

I recently discovered 8Player. It’s a great all-in-one multimedia app which can be used as an iPhone and iPad video player. 8Player supports all common video formats, so I don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.

A few things are interesting about this app – theres a built-in browser makes it easy for users to find any video content that I might need. 8Player also offers wireless streaming capabilities for seamless streaming of videos from various cloud storage services like iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.

In terms of additional features, 8Player has hardware acceleration to ensure smooth playback of high-quality videos in popular video formats such as DivX, H264, etc., as well as advanced subtitles support for foreign films.

All in all, 8Player is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for an efficient way to watch videos on your iPad Pro or Air!

11. MX Video Player

MX Video Player has been my go-to video player for iPhones and iPads for years now. It’s simple, reliable and gets the job done – that’s why it’s so popular. One of its more well known features is the wide range of audio formats it supports, including DivX, H264 and many more.

Additionally, MX Video Player also provides advanced video upscaling, which helps make low-resolution videos look sharper on retina displays. This really comes in handy when watching foreign films with subtitles! Also, I appreciate how easy it is to adjust the volume control – this makes watching movies much more enjoyable.

Finally, during our tests I found you can also take advantage of MX Video Player’s Airplay features to stream content from my macbook to my iPad Pro or Air wirelessly.

All in all, MX Video Player is a great video player app that can be used to watch virtually any type of video file format on Apple devices.

12. GOM Player

GOM Player has been my go-to video player on the iPad Pro and Air for some time now.

It’s easy to use and offers a nice range of features that make watching videos a breeze. What I love most is its gesture control feature, which allows me to easily navigate through menus with simple swipes and taps.

This makes it great for watching movies with friends! Additionally, GOM Player also supports a wide variety of video files, including popular formats such as MP4 and AVI, as well as more uncommon formats like FLV and WEBM.

Plus, it also incorporates hardware acceleration to ensure smooth playback even on low-end devices.

A big benefit: GOM Player’s built-in browser to quickly access cloud storage services or stream video content from YouTube or Vimeo directly on my iPad Pro or Air. All in all, GOM Player provides a great way to watch high-quality videos without having to worry about compatibility issues.

13. MCPlayer

MCPlayer is the perfect video player for my iPad Pro and Air. It has all the features I need to enjoy my favorite videos and movies on the go.

With MCPlayer, I can easily download videos with a single click and watch them offline whenever I want. It supports online streaming as well, so I don’t have to worry about finding compatible video players for different streaming services. Aside from its wireless streaming capabilities, what makes MCPlayer stand out is its advanced subtitles feature that lets me adjust subtitles according to my preference.

Even better, this player also supports upscaling of lower resolution videos to improve their quality – a feature that’s usually not found in other video players.

Last but not least, MCPlayer’s volume control options let me adjust the sound levels without affecting other audio sources. All in all, MCPlayer is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a powerful video player on their iPad Pro or Air.

Alternative Ways to Play Videos on iPad

While there are plenty of powerful video players available in the App Store, I prefer to try out other ways to watch videos on my device.

For instance, = iCloud Drive to store all my media files and access them from any Apple device that is connected to the same iCloud account. This way, I can play any video file stored in the cloud without having to download it first. Additionally, I use AirPlay when I want to stream my videos wirelessly from one iOS device to another.

This feature also allows me to play audio formats not supported by Apple’s native Music app.

Third-party apps like nPlayer Lite are also available, which supports a wide range of video file formats and provides gesture control for easy navigation. All these methods make it easier for me to enjoy high-quality videos without worrying about compatibility issues or hardware acceleration requirements.

How we ranked and picked the best videos players for iPad

When researching and ranking the best the best videos players for iPad, we took several factors into consideration to ensure we provided a comprehensive guide to our readers.

We tested the video players with many videos and audio to ensure they can play anything you throw at them. This is because users have unique requirements to play a wide a range of media formats.

Another factor (which we accessed) was the ease-of-use of the video players. Our aim is to suggest video players which everyone can use smoothly, including users who aren’t tech savvy. We looked for video players with simple user interfaces which enable users to navigate through various settings seamlessly.

We also evaluated the play-back controls to ensure users can enjoy their videos on the go. This included looking at components such as stopping, starting, and adjusting the play rate.

Finally, we tested the video players for lightweight editing features and subtitle support. This ensured users can watch foreign content by adding subtitles seamlessly.

Editing features like taking screenshots, trimming, cropping and more, helped suggest video players for users who don’t need heavy editing features but can do basic edits directly from the video players they watch content on.

Price was also a factor as video players because you don’t need all the features a video player offers. Most users would rather pick a free lightweight video player for watching videos without breaking the bank.

How to choose the best video player for iPad

Choosing the right video player for your iPad can be challenging, with so many choices out there. But there are a few criteria you can consider while picking a video player.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can narrow down your options and find the best fit for your needs:

Supported Formats for Audio and Video: When picking a video player for iPad, consider the supported formats for both audio and video. Ensure the video player can play the formats you prefer, including popular formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, and MKV. For example, if you have a collection of videos in MKV format, pick a video player that can play those files on your iPad.
Ease of Use and UI: Consider the ease of use and user interface of the video player. A video player which is intuitive and easy to navigate will save you time and energy. For instance, a user may want to play a video while on the go, and an easy-to-use player allows them to do so quickly.
Customizable Options and Advanced Settings: The ability to customize the video player is another important factor. Consider the ability to change the playback speed, adjust the audio and video settings, and choose from different themes. For example, if you want to watch a video in a dimly lit room, you can customize the player’s brightness and contrast settings.
Playback Controls and Subtitle Support: Look for a video player with playback controls and subtitle support. The player should allow you to pause, play, and rewind videos. It should also display subtitles in various languages. This feature is critical for if you wish to watch videos in foreign languages.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Cross-platform compatibility is also a key criterion when picking a video player for an iPad. The player should be compatible with different operating systems and devices. This feature is essential if you want to access your videos from different devices.
Pricing: Finally, consider the cost of the video player. Some video players are free, while others require a onetime or subscription fee. Choose a video player which is affordable and offers the features you need.

In conclusion, while picking the best video player for your iPad, consider the supported formats, ease of use, customizable options, playback controls, cross-platform compatibility, and pricing. By taking these criteria into account, you can select a video player that meets your needs and enhances the video-watching experience.

Alternative options for iPad

There are plenty of video players available for iPad users which offer more features than the default player provided by Apple. Here are a few alternative video players you can use on your iPad:

PlayerXtreme Media Player

PlayerXtreme Media Player is a feature-rich media player for the iPad which allows you to play any video format without conversion, including MKV, MP4, AVI, WMV, and over 40 more formats. You can also download subtitles on the app, even if you don’t have them.

Supported by high-quality hardware, the playback produces sharper video, sound, consumes less battery and supports all popular subtitle formats, including CC, SRT, SMI, TXT, and more. You can also stream movies or music to your TV, PC, NAS drive and play from Plex, Kodi, XBMC, Serviio, and PS3 Media Server.

PlayerXtreme also offers powerful options such as multiple audio tracks, video clipping, taking screenshots, A/V syncing, and more. You can even take a screenshot or make a wallpaper by moving frame-by-frame or set custom actions on swipe gestures.

If you are someone who wants a hassle-free experience while enjoying videos, PlayerXtreme Media Player is the perfect choice for you. It offers many features and supports various formats, making it ideal for watching videos on your iPad.

It’s Playing

It’s Playing Player is an incredible media player for your iPad, which supports many formats for video and audio, like MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, VOB, RMVB, MP3, M4A, WMA, OGG, and FLAC.

You can leverage the power of many playback options, such as background playback and earbud controls, auto-advance/playlist within folders, auto-repeat mode, audio gain, and playback speed adjustments from 1/8x to 8x. The Player also allows you to navigate through videos frame-by-frame, use pinch-to-zoom gestures for photographic adjustments, and adjust image contrast, brightness, and saturation.

Within the player, there’s a support for multiple language audio tracks and multichannel audio, allowing you to fetch subtitles for any movie with just one tap, backed by OpenSubtitles.org. It also offers user-friendly file management features, such as cut, copy, paste, and rename controls.

You can even choose to store files in a secure private folder and connect directly to your Dropbox, Google Drive, Put.io, YouTube, and http cloud services and play anything.

In short, if you are someone who loves watching videos and listening to music on your iPad, It’s Playing Player is an excellent option. Its extensive features make it ideal for anyone who wants a comprehensive and user-friendly media player.

Moli-Player

Moli-Player is an impressive media player that can play almost any video, music, and subtitle format you throw at it. It supports HD videos with hardware decoding and can stream content directly from your PC or NAS. It allows you to play videos on smart TVs or even Xbox 360.

Its password protection allows you to secure the app and individual folders with ease. It offers many intuitive gesture controls for adjusting volume, brightness, and fast-forward/ rewind. You can also play content in the background, even with the phone screen turned off.

Overall, Moli-Player is ideal for users who have a wide range of media formats and want a player that can handle them all seamlessly. Its password protection and background playback features are useful for those who value security and convenience.

CnX Player

CnX Player is an impressive media player that provides an exceptional viewing experience for all your favorite videos. With CnX Player, you can play all video formats without conversion, including MKV, Webm, MP4, XVID, AVI, M4V, TS, WMV, ASF, and more.

Its support for both internal and external subtitles in all languages allows you to enjoy watching videos in any language of your choice. With CnX Player, you can import and export videos to your iPhone, iPad, and PC from all Airdrop supported apps such as iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, and other video players.

CnX Player offers a silk-smooth playback of 4K (Ultra-HD) content on your iPhone/iPad and has a highly optimized implementation of 10 bit HEVC, 10-bit H.264 & 10bit VP9 video decoders, allowing you to set default fast-forward time, rewind time and playback speed.

You can search videos or delete videos, and even customize the playback screen view by adjusting the brightness, contrast, and saturation. You can resize video to auto, crop, or stretch mode.

Whether you are a movie enthusiast, a traveler, or just someone who loves to watch videos on the iPad, CnX Player is worth considering.

Why use a separate video player for iPad?

There are several reasons to use a separate video player on your iPad, even though it comes with the default iPadOS Video Player. Here are three key reasons:

The default iPadOS Video Player has limited compatible video formats. While it supports common formats such as H.264, MP4, M4V, MOV, MPEG-4 and M- JPEG, it has limitations within these formats. For example, H.264 videos are limited to 1080 pixels and 30 frames per second.

In contrast, third-party players, such as VLC Media Player, Infuse, and KM Player, support a wider range of formats, including AVI, WMV, and FLV. For example, let’s say you downloaded a video from a website that’s only available in FLV format. Without a third-party video player, you’d need to convert the video to a compatible format before you could play it on your iPad.

The default iPadOS Video Player does not support all video codecs. If you have a video that uses a codec not supported by iOS, you won’t be able to play it on your iPad.

Third-party players like VLC Media Player, Infuse, and KM Player support a wider range of codecs, making it more likely that you’ll be able to play any video you want on your iPad. For example, let’s say you have a video with a rare codec that’s not supported by iOS. With a third-party video player, you can still play the video on your iPad without converting it to a different format.

Third-party video players often offer additional features not available in the default iOS Video Player. For example, VLC Media Player lets you use a library of extensions to enhance the in-built features.

The default video player on the iPad comes with many useful features and allows smooth playback of videos, but it also has compatibility limitations compared to third-party alternatives.

What to do when your iPad won’t play videos anymore

If your iPad is suddenly refusing to play videos, don’t panic! There are several causes for this issue, but you can try these solutions to get your videos playing again: restart the device, check for software updates, fix network issues or try a different video player app.

End all running apps and restart the iPad

Typically, a simple restart can resolve any issues. Open the multitask display on your iPad and swipe up every app window. Then, simultaneously, hold down the Sleep and Home buttons until the Apple logo appears to reboot your iPad.

Update iPadOS

If you’re having trouble playing videos on your iPad, it could be due to using an outdated version of the iPadOS. By updating the operating system ensures bug fixes and improves the performance of the device. Follow these simple steps to upgrade your software:

Access the Settings on your iPad.
Tap on the General option.
Select the Software Update option from the list.
If there’s an update available, tap on the Download and install option.
Enter your device’s PIN to start the process.
After the update has been downloaded, your iPad will restart to install the latest version.

Once the update is complete, you should be able to play videos on your iPad with no issues.

Check your network and the status of Apple servers

If you’re having trouble playing videos on your iPad through apps like iTunes or iCloud, there are a few things you can check to resolve the issue.

Ensure that your device is connected to a strong network.
Check the status of Apple servers on the Apple System Status page to ensure there aren’t any known issues affecting your ability to play videos.
Turn off cellular data and connect to a Wi-Fi network instead. Go to your iPads Settings, select General, and then choose Reset. Select the Reset Network Settings option and enter your password. Finally, connect to a Wi-Fi network and try playing your videos again.

Factory reset your iPad

Proceed with a factory reset of your iPad only if all other solutions have failed, as this will erase all data on your device. Back up all your important data before performing this action.

Follow the steps below to reset your iPad:

Open the Settings app on your iPad.
Tap on the General option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap on Reset.
From the list of options that appear, select “Erase All Content and Settings”.
Confirm your selection by entering your device password.
Wait for the reset process to complete, after which your iPad will restart and display the “Hello” screen.

Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your iPad as a new device.

FAQ

Whats the name of the default video player for iPad Air and Pro?

The default video player for iPad Air and Pro is the system video player by Apple. It supports various video formats, such as MP4, MOV, and M4V. You can access the video player from the home screen and play videos from different sources, including your library, streaming services, and even camera roll. You can also stream videos to other devices via AirPlay, and even record and edit videos on your iPad. The system video player provides a seamless video playing experience for iPad Air and Pro users.

What are some of the best video player apps for iPad for playing 4K or HDR content?

If you’re looking to play 4K or HDR content on your iPad, there are several great video player apps to choose from. VLC Media Player and KM Player are both popular options, as they support a wide range of video formats and offer features like subtitle support and playback speed control. Infuse is another great app that supports 4K and HDR playback, along with advanced features like metadata fetching and automatic artwork. Other notable options include Video Player, nPlayer Lite, and more. With these apps, you can enjoy high-quality video playback on your iPad.

What are the benefits of using a video player app on an iPad versus the default video player?

When compared to the default video player on an iPad, third-party video player apps like VLC or KM Player have many benefits. These apps can handle a wide variety of video formats, making it easier for you to play any video without converting it to a compatible format. Third-party video player apps often come with advanced features like playback controls, organization tools, and sharing options, providing a better overall video viewing experience on your iPad.

How do I transfer videos from my computer to an iPad video player app?

Transferring videos from your computer to an iPad is easy with iTunes, available for both Windows and Mac devices. Connect your iPad to your computer with a USB port, and after allowing access, open the “Movies” section and drag the videos you want to transfer to the iPads “Movies” folder. Ensure that the video format is compatible with your iPad. This way, you can easily transfer your videos and watch them on your iPad’s video player app.

Which video player apps for iPad that support subtitles?

If you’re looking for a video player app on your iPad that supports subtitles, there are several options available. Popular apps like nPlayer Lite, VLC Media Player, and OPlayer are great choices that allow you to load and sync subtitles with your videos. Other apps like YxPlayer, 8Player, MX Video Player, and MC Player also support subtitles and offer additional features like advanced playback options and file organization. With so many options available, you can choose the app that best suits your needs and enjoy watching videos with subtitles on your iPad.

By default, Does iPad support full HD playback of videos?

Yes the iPad supports full-HD playback depending on the video format and source. Apple’s iPad supports HDR content for an enhanced viewing experience, automatically playing HDR videos in high dynamic range. When syncing videos on your iPad using iTunes, it will sync the HD version of the video when available. But not all videos are available in full HD or HDR and depend on the capabilities of the specific iPad model.

How do I play movies on my iPad?

To play movies on your iPad, you can use iTunes to add and sync your video files to the device. First, add the movie to your iTunes library and create an iPad-compatible version. Connect your iPad to your computer and select it on iTunes. Then, enable the “Sync Movies” option and click “Sync” to transfer the movie to your iPad. Finally, open the “Videos” app on your iPad and select the movie to play. Control playback using the on-screen commands, and press the Home button to exit the app when finished.

13 Best Video Players for iPad Pro and Air