Softwr

Entertainment · head to head

mpv vs Peacock

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
Peacock logo

Peacock

Entertainment

Stream iconic movies, shows, and live sports

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: mpv there is no graphical interface at all by default, so a typical non-technical user will find it unusable without significant setup.; Peacock geographic restrictions prevent US access verification
  • They diverge on capability: mpv covers Command line control, Peacock covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which mpv and Peacock actually diverge.

Attributes where mpv and Peacock differ
AttributempvPeacock
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefreemium
PlatformsMac, Windows, LinuxWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv
FoundedUnknown2020

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

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 mpv

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

Only in Peacock

  • Streaming
  • Live sports
  • News
  • Original content
  • Smart TVs
  • Mobile devices
  • Parental controls
  • Profile PINs

What people use each for

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

mpv

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

Peacock

  • Streamingnot mpv
  • Sportsnot mpv
  • Newsnot mpv

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Peacock

  • Geographic restrictions prevent US access verification

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Peacock

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited content
    • Ads
  • Premium$5.99/month
    • Full library
    • Ads
  • Premium Plus$11.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Downloads

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Peacock if

  • You need streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
  • You also want live sports.
Peacock review

Questions people ask

Is mpv or Peacock better?
Neither clearly leads. mpv starts at Free and Peacock at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, mpv or Peacock?
mpv starts at Free and Peacock at Free.
Does mpv or Peacock run on more platforms?
mpv runs on Mac, Windows, Linux. Peacock runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
Can I use mpv for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is mpv best used for?
mpv is most often used for a developer who wants to script or automate media playback rather than click through a graphical app, a linux user who wants a lightweight player without the overhead of a full desktop application shell, someone embedding video playback into another tool or workflow rather than using it as a standalone app, a power user who prefers editing a text config file over navigating a settings panel. Of those, a developer who wants to script or automate media playback rather than click through a graphical app and a linux user who wants a lightweight player without the overhead of a full desktop application shell are not what Peacock is typically brought in for.
What can mpv do that Peacock cannot?
mpv covers Command line control, Lua and JavaScript scripting, Plain text configuration, Cross-platform. Peacock covers Streaming, Live sports, News, Original content.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

mpv: Is mpv free?

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

Peacock: What is Peacock's pricing?

Peacock pricing information is not available. The website shows geographic restrictions and states the service requires US physical location for domestic customers.

Source
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.

Share

Related pages

More on mpv

More on Peacock

Keep looking

Other head to heads