HTML5 video players first appeared on the market in 2014, but it didn’t take long for the world to realize that the technology behind them was superior to the other options on the market. Even before the death of the HTML5 player’s main competitor, the Flash player, it quickly became the most popular choice for online video delivery. The primary reasons for such massive success were its superior compatibility with modern web browsers, higher customizability, and lower costs.
Nowadays, HTML5 players aren’t only used on the web anymore. With the rapid growth of the live streaming and OTT industry, many publishers, creators, and OTT service providers rely on HTML5 video players to deliver smooth, high-quality broadcasts to engage and connect with their viewers. That is why having a reliable HTML5 player is crucial regardless of whether you want to reach more viewers through live streaming, launch an OTT app, or leverage on-demand video to grow your business.
However, there are many HTML5 players on the market, and choosing the best one might be daunting for users without in-depth knowledge of the video industry and its latest standards. If you wish to learn the basics of HTML5 video players and get an in-depth overview of the most-used ones on the market, you’re in the right place. We included a variety of both premium and free players, so you’re sure to find one that fits your needs.
But first, let’s demystify the technology that lies behind these players.
What Is an HTML5 Video Player
An HTML5 video player is a technology built on the HLS streaming protocol used to deliver and play online video over the internet. This tech allows broadcasters to stream lag-free videos to their audiences across all web browsers and devices worldwide.
The technology behind the HTML5 player was developed as a superior substitute for Adobe’s Flash player that relied on RTMP protocol to distribute content. Although RTMP is still an invaluable streaming protocol (especially when paired up with HLS), HLS proved to be better for both HD and low-latency streaming. That is why most video platforms nowadays rely on HTML5 players and HLS streaming for video delivery.
How Does an HTML5 Player Work?
HTML5 video players are built on JavaScript and allow users to seamlessly embed videos directly into a web page by simply copy-pasting a player embed code. They can also specify various player attributes like width and height to make it more compatible and responsive across browsers.
That was made possible when HTML5 introduced Media Source Extensions in early 2013. This novelty allowed programmers to stream videos directly on a web page without additional plugins. This change marked the turning point in the online video industry, as it allowed for faster and smoother video delivery while putting less strain on publishers’ websites. It also set the foundations for future improvements of HTML5 players (e.g., the introduction of adaptive bitrate streaming and content encryption), which is why they are currently the go-to playback and delivery method for online video.
Nowadays, HTML5 players are supported on all major browsers, including:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- And more…
Now that we explained the technological basics that lie behind HTML5 players, let’s take a look at how to pick the best one.
How to Choose the Best HTML5 Video Player
When choosing the best HTML5 video player for their needs, publishers and brands will have two options — open-source or commercial players. There are significant differences between the two that may influence your choice.
Open-source players are free and allow you to customize, tweak, and change their code. These players often receive bug fixes and updates since most of them are run by active developer communities who regularly contribute to the software, free of charge.
Premium HTML5 players will include a subscription fee since they often have large, dedicated development teams behind them. However, these players come with dozens of pre-built features and integrations and premium support, which will save you hundreds if not thousands of hours of development time. Although you don’t own the software with a premium video player, it comes as a complete and action-ready solution with straightforward implementation.
Either of these options can be a solid choice, but the decision will entirely depend on your needs, goals, and resources. After you decide which type of HTML5 player you’ll go with, all that’s left is to pick the one best aligned with your goals.
15 Best HTML5 Players for Video and Streaming in 2023
Here’s an extensive overview of the fifteen best HTML5 video players on the market currently. We prepared a rich selection of both open-source and premium video players, so you’re sure to find a suitable fit regardless of your needs.
1. Brid.TV
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | Starts at Free |
Brid.TV is a premium online video platform and HTML5 player that provides advanced ad-based monetization solutions for publishers and mid-to-large enterprises. Brid.TV’s lightweight HTML5 video player offers smooth, adaptive HLS streaming for live and on-demand video. Since Brid.TV’s HTML5 player comes with a fully-fledged video CMS, it also includes real-time video analytics available to all users. Video encoding and enterprise video hosting are also part of each pricing plan, which is why Brid.TV is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an all-in-one video delivery solution.
The biggest advantages of Brid.TV’s HTML5 player and video platform are its ad-based monetization features. Besides supporting the latest VAST and VPAID ad tags and their intuitive setup process, the HTML5 player comes with built-in header bidding technology for maximizing ad yield, making it one of the best choices for large media publishers and ad networks on the market.
And if you’re looking for a customizable video delivery solution, Brid.TV’s player and platform are fully white-label. The player also comes with full API and mobile SDK support and is compatible with both audio and video streaming.
A few of the most notable downsides of Brid.TV HTML5 player are that it doesn’t support subscription-based monetization and has limited features on its free plan, making it not the best choice for small creators and businesses looking to build a subscription-based service.
Pros:
- Lightweight HTML5 player bundled with a fully-fledged content management system, video hosting, and encoding services
- Excellent ad-based video monetization options and yield optimization tools
- Video header bidding support
- Video and ad analytics
- Audio streaming & 360 video support
- Fully customizable player design
- Player API and SDKs
- OTT and CTV compatibility
Cons:
- Limited options on the free plan
- No subscription-based monetization
- Direct support channels available only for premium users
2. Video.js
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Source | Yes | Free |
Video.js is the most popular open-source HTML5 player for video delivery and streaming and has been on the market since 2010. This player supports smooth HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming and offers plenty of customizability options for anyone with some coding skills. This player’s active community makes custom skins and plugins regularly, so depending on what you’re looking for, it might already be available for free. Some of the most useful features users emphasize are Video.js’s Vimeo and YouTube integrations, easily implementable video analytics, and compatibility with services like Chromecast.
However, one of the biggest downsides of Video.js is its lack of monetization support and high learning curve. So unless you’re a skilled programmer, you might have a tough time implementing and customizing this player. But if you’re only looking for a free and stable video delivery solution, Video.js is undoubtedly one of the best options on the market.
Pros:
- Open-source
- Dozens of available plugins
- Video analytics support
- Customizable design
- YouTube and Vimeo integrations
- Compatible with Chromecast
Cons:
- Requires some technical know-how to successfully implement
- Not compatible with all video libraries
- No built-in monetization support
3. Flowplayer
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | Starts at $49.99/mo |
Flowplayer is, in its own words, a “performance-first video player” and has been around for well over a decade. Its compact HTML5 player supports various streaming and video file formats like HLS, MPEG-DASH, and MP4 playback and comes bundled with an entire online video platform. That means Flowplayer also offers hosting, encoding, and video analytics services with its video player.
Flowplayer’s HTML5 player is highly customizable and comes with dozens of third-party integrations like Chromecast, DRM, AirPlay, and more. This player also has built-in ad-based monetization options, so users can set up and serve ads without much hassle.
The most significant downsides to Flowplayer are that it lacks advanced yield optimization features like header bidding, so it’s not the best choice for publishers looking for solutions to optimize their ad revenue. Unfortunately, Flowplayer doesn’t have a free plan, but users can still get a free demo by reaching out to its sales team.
Pros:
- Low-latency streaming
- Video and ad analytics
- Player API
- Ad-based monetization support
- Various third-party integrations
Cons:
- Lacks advanced monetization options
- No free plan
4. THEOPlayer
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | Starts at €399/mo |
THEOPlayer is an HTML5 video player used by dozens of brands and online video providers worldwide. This player is one of the first ones on the market to introduce Apple’s low-latency HLS streaming, which is what they’re best known for to date. THEOPlayer supports HLS, MPEG-DASH, and Smooth Streaming.
THEOPlayer offers dozens of integrations across a wide variety of video ecosystems, making it incredibly flexible for web, mobile, and OTT streaming. When you combine that with their extensive SDK support and detailed documentation, it shouldn’t be surprising why THEOPlayer is the go-to enterprise video player for large businesses and media giants worldwide (CNN, Telia, BT Sport, etc.).
Nowadays, THEOPlayer is the go-to solution for OTT platforms and PayTV service providers due to its high customizability and reliable video delivery. However, that is also reflected in its price, as its cheapest pricing plan is quite steep. That means this player is not the best choice for smaller publishers and content creators.
Pros:
- HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming
- OTT and CTV support
- Offers various player testing tools
- Supports AVOD monetization
- Player API and SDKs
- Extensive documentation
Cons:
- Not suitable for small creators and businesses
- Steep pricing
5. JW Player
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | Custom |
JW Player is one of the big video industry giants, as it’s been on the market for over 15 years. Nowadays, it offers buffer-free HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming to thousands of publishers worldwide. JW Player’s HTML5 player comes with dozens of versatile features, including extensive 360 video, VR, and OTT and CTV support. The company also offers a video content management system alongside its player, meaning publishers can take care of their video hosting and encoding needs in one place.
JW Player also provides handy audience engagement tools, advanced video monetization features like player bidding, advanced content matching systems, and much more. Another reason JW Player is so popular is its extensive Android and iOS SDKs, which are easy to use and give publishers excellent cross-platform opportunities.
Although this HTML5 player is an excellent choice, it doesn’t have a free plan and doesn’t give publishers much flexibility regarding their payment plans. The biggest downside is that you must sign a 1-year contract at the very least to become a JW Player user, which can be a deal-breaker for some.
Pros:
- One of the most well-established HTML5 players in the industry
- Reliable and smooth HLS streaming
- Supports both AVOD and SVOD monetization models
- Player bidding
- Video and ad analytics
- 360 video support
- Player customization
Cons:
- Users have to buy at least a 1-year-long subscription
- Direct support available only to premium users
- Users must contact JW Player’s sales team to open an account
6. Radiant Media Player
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | Starts at $75/mo |
Radiant Media Player is a versatile online video player for web and OTT apps that supports HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming. This player can handle both video and audio playback and comes with dozens of handy features like closed captions, subtitles, and video monetization through client- and server-side ad insertion.
Radiant Media Player also comes with in-depth documentation and extensive third-party integrations (Google Analytics, Mux Data, Matomo, etc.), giving publishers plenty of customization options with some coding knowledge. And if you’re looking for an ad-based monetization solution, Radiant Media Player will be a good fit due to its integrated header bidding technology.
If you decide to go with Radiant Media Player, note that you’ll have to take care of video hosting and encoding yourself, as this player doesn’t offer these services. Another downside that might deter some users is that Radiant Media Player’s cheapest price plan is pretty steep. However, if the higher price ceiling doesn’t bother you, this HTML5 player will prove a solid choice and can meet most publishers’ video delivery and monetization needs.
Pros:
- HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming
- Ad-based video monetization
- Video header bidding support
- OTT and CTV compatibility
- 360 video support
- Video analytics
Cons:
- No hosting and encoding services
- No subscription-based monetization
- Pricey
7. Bitmovin
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | Starts at $249/mo |
Bitmovin is a renowned video technology provider with its own HTML5 video player, video analytics system, and cloud encoding services. Although their HTML5 player is just one of their products, it’s a reliable solution for ABR HLS, MPEG-DASH, and smooth streaming. Its biggest strengths are its extensive video codec support, DRM, CC, and Subtitling features built-in.
Bitmovin’s HTML5 video player is compatible with most modern OTT platforms and services like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast, and makes porting publishers’ content to them easy, thanks to their Android, iOS, and Apple SDKs. Bitmovin also allows users to monetize their content by serving different types of ads, but it lacks advanced yield optimization features that some other platforms have.
The two most notable downsides to Bitmovin are its high prices and the fact that publishers looking to leverage their analytics engine and encoding services will have to pay for them separately. When you add all these expenses together, it becomes clear that Bitmovin is not the best choice for small-to-mid businesses.
Pros:
- HLS and MPEG-DASH low-latency streaming
- Various third-party integrations
- Cross-device compatibility
- Player API and SDKs
- Extensive video monetization support
- Also offers video analytics and encoding services
Cons:
- Encoding and analytics come in separate pricing bundles
- Expensive
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8. NexPlayer
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | N/A |
NexPlayer is a versatile, privacy-first HTML5 video player with a quality player SDK for premium video apps and OTT services. This player supports cross-device HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming and prides itself on being custom-coded from scratch, unlike most other solutions on the market. Besides smooth, buffer-free playback, basic monetization options, and various third-party integrations, NexPlayer guarantees state-of-the-art content protection for all of its users.
However, NexPlayer lacks integrated video analytics and hosting services. That said, it does offer easy integration with some of the most popular analytics providers on the market, like Conviva and Agama. One thing that might put off many users, though, is that NexPlayer isn’t transparent with its pricing, so you’ll have to contact their sales directly to get an estimate.
Pros:
- Extensive SDK support
- OTT and CTV compatibility
- Fully custom-coded video player
- Various third-party integrations for monetization, analytics, and more
Cons:
- Limited options on the free plan
- No subscription-based monetization
- Direct support channels available only for premium users
9. hls.js
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Source | Yes | Free |
Hls.js a popular open-source video player built to handle HLS video streaming. Besides being completely free, it comes with extensive documentation and an active developer community on GitHub that is always willing to help users in need.
Unfortunately, users won’t get anything more than a functional player from Hls.js. This player comes with no other valuable features like functional video monetization, analytics, and hosting, so it leaves much to be desired. Although you could implement these due to its open-source nature, it would take a lot of time, resources, and coding knowledge. That means this player might be fine for smaller publishers and creators looking for a quick and easy video delivery solution, but it isn’t the best choice for larger brands with rich video content libraries.
Pros:
- Smooth HLS streaming
- Readily available demos
- Extensive documentation
- Active developer community
- Full player API
Cons:
- Requires significant technical knowledge to implement
- No straightforward way to implement monetization and analytics
- Doesn’t come with hosting and encoding options
10. Clappr
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Source | Yes | Free |
Clappr is another community-driven open-source player built on JavaScript. Similar to most other open-source HTML5 players, Clappr is highly customizable but lacks advanced features and functionalities (e.g., analytics, monetization options). This plyer also comes with free access to its API library, which makes creating custom integrations pretty easy with some coding knowledge.
Clappr mostly relies on a plugin-based architecture for customization, making implementing custom solutions easier than with other open-source players. The player supports standard MPEG-DASH, HLS, and progressive streaming alongside a few advanced features like ad insertion, dynamic overlays, and more.
If you’re looking for an affordable and stable video solution, Clappr is an excellent choice for small-to-mid businesses that don’t need advanced video player functionalities. Otherwise, you’d be better off with a premium video player.
Pros:
- Smooth HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming
- Downloadable for free on GitHub
- High customizability
- Extensive documentation
- Player API
- DVR Support
- Dozens of third-party plugins available
Cons:
- No built-in monetization and analytics systems
- Not suited for beginners without any programming knowledge
11. jPlayer
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Source | Yes | Free |
jPlayer is a popular open-source, cross-platform HTML5 player for audio and video streaming without any licensing restrictions. This player prides itself on its performance-first specs, meaning it’s better optimized for page speed than most other open-source solutions.
jPlayer is also highly customizable and comes with extensive documentation, so anyone with some coding knowledge can modify and tweak it without much hassle. However, that also makes it less accessible to non-tech-savvy people.
Pros:
- Lightweight HTML5 player supported across a variety of devices
- Comes with detailed documentation
- No licensing restrictions
- Video and audio streaming support
- Customizable player
- Community-driven support
- Player API
Cons:
- Requires third-party integrations for analytics and monetization
- Best suited for users with some programming skills
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12. dash.js
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Source | Yes | Free |
Dash.js is undoubtedly one of the best open-source, low-latency MPEG-DASH players on the market that relies on client-side JavaScript libraries for content playback. This player supports most modern video codecs, cross-browser DRM, in-band events, and adaptive bitrate streaming. Publishers interested in trying dash.js can do so for free, as the player is free to use commercially.
This HTML5 player gives users full access to its source code, making it highly customizable for anyone with some coding knowledge. Unfortunately, that also means that implementing it may prove difficult for anyone without a technical background. Like most open-source players, dash.js is a decent solution for online video delivery but lacks features large and enterprise-level publishers may need like monetization and analytics.
Pros:
- One of the best open-source MPEG-DASH players
- Cross-device and cross-browser support
- Adaptive bitrate streaming support
- No licensing limitations
- Player API
- Highly customizable with some coding knowledge
Cons:
- Lacks built-in monetization and analytics support like most open-source players
- Requires coding knowledge to customize and implement
13. VPlayed
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | N/A |
VPlayed is an online video delivery and OTT solution that also comes with a fast and reliable HTML5 video player. VPlayed’s video player supports cross-platform HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming compatible with OTT and CTV through a full-fledged OTT platform. One of the best aspects of this player is that it comes with excellent OTT monetization and flexible hosting options. That means users can choose whether they want to host their content locally or use VPlayed’s secure AWS server.
Besides the above, this HTML5 player also supports several video monetization models and comes with advanced security features like AES encryption, password protection, and similar. Unlike open-source solutions, VPlayed’s player comes with dedicated customer support, which can help publishers with implementation and any bugs or errors they come across.
However, the two most notable downsides of this player are that it isn’t transparent about its pricing and lacks advanced yield optimization features. Despite that, VPlayed is still one of the best players for publishers looking to get into the OTT and CTV markets.
Pros:
- Video and audio streaming support
- Adaptive bitrate HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming
- Multiple monetization models available (AVOD, SVOD, TVOD)
- OTT and CTV compatibility through a fully optimized OTT platform
- Advanced video analytics
- Advanced security features (AES encryption, password protection, etc.)
Cons:
- No advanced yield optimization features
- Doesn’t disclose pricing
14. Kaltura
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | N/A |
Kaltura is a renowned multi-platform HLS streaming solution specializing in event live streaming and e-learning. Kaltura’s HTML5 player also comes with reliable and fast cloud hosting, so publishers opting for this platform will have that covered. This solution also comes with plenty of third-party plugins and an API that allows easy integrations with various services.
But the area where Kaltura stands out the most is its ready-made e-learning platform and virtual classroom software. When you combine that with its HTML5 player’s various video engagement features, it’s unsurprising why Kaltura is the best choice for anyone looking for a video player for their online teaching business.
Unfortunately, Kaltura lacks video monetization features, so it’s not the best choice for publishers looking to monetize their video content. The company also doesn’t have a unified pricing model, so you’ll have to reach out to them directly to get a cost estimate.
Pros:
- Multi-platform HLS streaming
- Includes cloud video hosting
- Various video engagement features
- HTML5 player is paid with a turnkey e-learning platform
- Various third-party integrations
Cons:
- No unified pricing scheme
- Lacks video monetization options
15. Wistia
| Type of HTML5 Player | API | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Yes | Starts at Free |
Wistia is a podcast and video marketing software platform with a reliable and smooth HTML5 player. Like most other premium solutions on our list, Wistia’s HTML5 player comes bundled with secure video hosting services, dozens of third-party integrations, and excellent customizability and branding options.
But what makes Wistia stand out from the crowd are its user-friendly distribution features tailored to podcasters and video marketers. That makes this player one of the best choices for audio and video podcasters on the market. All of that comes with extensive player analytics, allowing marketers and content creators to get detailed insights on their podcasts’ performance in one place.
Wistia’s HTML5 player lacks in the monetization department, though, as it only supports basic ad-based monetization. Also, its free plan is pretty restrictive regarding options and features, so if you plan to use this player, you’ll most likely need to opt for one of their premium plans.
Pros:
- Smooth HLS streaming
- Audio streaming support for podcasters
- Includes video hosting services
- Offers excellent distribution features and additions for podcasters and video marketers
- Variety of third-party integrations
- Customizable player
Cons:
- Limited features and functionalities on the free plan
- Very basic video monetization features
Closing Thoughts
HTML5 players are the unprecedented kings of online video delivery nowadays. These video players offer reliable and smooth video delivery with extensive customization, engagement analysis, and monetization options. However, the differences in their specs, capabilities, accessibility, and more make choosing one all the more difficult.
If you’re a small-to-mid-sized business or content creator, an open-source player can probably meet all your needs. However, these players often require coding knowledge to implement and optimize. Also, open-source players won’t be able to meet the needs of large and enterprise-level businesses unless they’re willing to use them as a base for developing their own online video solution (that can be quite costly, though).
That’s why we have to recommend choosing a premium HTML5 video player instead. These solutions come with dedicated development teams that will handle all the maintenance for you and keep your player up to date with the latest industry trends.
If you decide to go for a premium HTML5 player, Brid.TV is an excellent place to start. We invite you to take advantage of our free premium trial and try our player and all of its features for free — no strings attached!
