Honestly, after cycling through all the usual suspects, I get the nagging feeling this whole “one video player to rule them all” thing is a bit of a pipe dream. @mikeappsreviewer and @viajantedoceu already hit the big ones, but let me rain on this parade for a sec: No matter what you try, you’re eventually gonna run into That One File™ that nothing touches unless you install half the internet’s worth of codecs or transcode it in HandBrake.
Elmedia Player definitely feels like the best all-in-one bet right now. Super modern vibe, handles 99% of my stuff (and bonus points for not making me feel like I’m using a Windows XP machine). Subtitle management is chef’s kiss, and yeah, AirPlay actually works. But I’ve banged my head on the “unsupported format” wall a couple of times too, so it’s not pure wizardry.
VLC? Can’t kill it, can’t love it, but one day its interface might just curse your eyes into oblivion. IINA’s great for just chilling and watching regular content, but if you love throwing industrial-grade 4K into the mix or live in the world of obscure rips, it might break a sweat.
My honest workflow: Elmedia Player for 95% of stuff (because, you know, it just works out of the box), but I keep VLC as my desperate last line of defense. IINA’s there just for those minimalist-mood days. If you’re expecting perfection, lower those expectations; otherwise, grab Elmedia Player and VLC. One will cover your needs and the other will haunt your dock forever—just in case.
Still holding my breath for a real “will play everything I throw at it” unicorn, but until then, switching between these will just have to do.