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AR VR · head to head

Mozilla Hubs vs mpv

Mozilla Hubs logo

Mozilla Hubs

AR VR

Open-source social VR platform for the web

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
mpv logo

mpv

Entertainment

Free open source command line video player with no graphical interface, built for scripting and precision

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Mozilla Hubs the Internet Archive's capture of Mozilla Hubs' homepage on 31 December 2022 priced the Early Access Hub at $20 USD/month for unlimited spaces, 25 online guest capacity, and 2GB asset storage; the product's own support URL now redirects to a page titled 'end-support-mozilla-hubs', indicating the service has since been discontinued.; mpv there is no graphical interface at all by default, so a typical non-technical user will find it unusable without significant setup.
  • They diverge on capability: Mozilla Hubs covers Browser-based VR, mpv covers Command line control.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mozilla Hubs and mpv actually diverge.

Attributes where Mozilla Hubs and mpv differ
AttributeMozilla Hubsmpv
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWebvr, Web, Vr, MobileMac, Windows, Linux
CategoryAR VREntertainment
Founded1998Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Mozilla Hubs

  • Browser-based VR
  • Room creation
  • Avatar system
  • Spatial audio
  • Spoke editor
  • Custom assets
  • Webhooks
  • Webvr support

Only in mpv

  • Command line control
  • Lua and JavaScript scripting
  • Plain text configuration
  • Cross-platform
  • Minimal on-screen overlay
  • Embeddable engine

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Mozilla Hubs

  • VR Gamingnot mpv
  • AR Marketingnot mpv
  • Virtual Trainingnot mpv
  • 3D Visualizationnot mpv
  • Immersive Experiencesnot mpv

mpv

  • A developer who wants to script or automate media playback rather than click through a graphical appnot Mozilla Hubs
  • A Linux user who wants a lightweight player without the overhead of a full desktop application shellnot Mozilla Hubs
  • Someone embedding video playback into another tool or workflow rather than using it as a standalone appnot Mozilla Hubs
  • A power user who prefers editing a text config file over navigating a settings panelnot Mozilla Hubs

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Mozilla Hubs

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Mozilla Hubs' homepage on 31 December 2022 priced the Early Access Hub at $20 USD/month for unlimited spaces, 25 online guest capacity, and 2GB asset storage; the product's own support URL now redirects to a page titled 'end-support-mozilla-hubs', indicating the service has since been discontinued.

mpv

  • There is no graphical interface at all by default, so a typical non-technical user will find it unusable without significant setup.
  • It has no library browser, artwork fetching or organised media collection view, unlike IINA or Infuse.
  • There is no Apple TV, iOS or Android version, so it cannot be used for a living room or mobile streaming setup.
  • Configuration is entirely file and flag based, so getting a specific behaviour set up correctly has a real learning curve compared with a settings panel.
  • Because it is a general-purpose engine rather than a consumer product, there is no dedicated support channel beyond community forums and documentation.

Pricing, plan by plan

Mozilla Hubs

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Public rooms
    • Avatar customization
    • Screen sharing

mpv

Free
  • mpvFree
    • Free and open source under GPL or LGPL depending on build
    • No account, subscription or paid tier
    • Cross-platform, same engine on every OS

Which should you pick?

Choose Mozilla Hubs if

  • You need browser-based vr.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Webvr, Web, Vr, Mobile.
  • You also want room creation.
Mozilla Hubs review

Choose mpv if

  • You need command line control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, Windows, Linux.
  • You also want lua and javascript scripting.
mpv review

Questions people ask

Is Mozilla Hubs or mpv better?
Neither clearly leads. Mozilla Hubs starts at Free and mpv at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mozilla Hubs or mpv?
Mozilla Hubs starts at Free and mpv at Free.
Does Mozilla Hubs or mpv run on more platforms?
Mozilla Hubs runs on Webvr, Web, Vr, Mobile. mpv runs on Mac, Windows, Linux.
Can I use Mozilla Hubs for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Mozilla Hubs best used for?
Mozilla Hubs is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what mpv is typically brought in for.
What can Mozilla Hubs do that mpv cannot?
Mozilla Hubs covers Browser-based VR, Room creation, Avatar system, Spatial audio. mpv covers Command line control, Lua and JavaScript scripting, Plain text configuration, Cross-platform.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

mpv: Is mpv free?

Yes, entirely, and it is open source with no paid tier of any kind.

mpv: Does mpv have a GUI?

Not by default. It shows the video and a minimal overlay, but there are no menus, library or settings panel; IINA is the graphical Mac interface built on the same engine.

mpv: Can mpv play from network shares or cloud storage?

It can play many stream types via command line arguments, but it has no built in browsable network or cloud library the way Infuse does.

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Related pages

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