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Entertainment · head to head

mpv vs Rectangle

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
Rectangle logo

Rectangle

Utilities

Free open source window snapping for macOS, with a separate paid Rectangle Pro for extra features

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.; Rectangle rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.
  • They diverge on capability: mpv covers Command line control, Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which mpv and Rectangle actually diverge.

Attributes where mpv and Rectangle differ
AttributempvRectangle
PlatformsMac, Windows, LinuxMac
CategoryEntertainmentUtilities

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Open source, no licence fee), 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 mpv

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

Only in Rectangle

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Drag to snap
  • Multi-display support
  • Almost full screen
  • Rectangle Pro extras
  • Open source core

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

Rectangle

  • A developer who wants source-available window management with no cost and no accountnot mpv
  • Anyone replacing Magnet who does not want to pay even a small one-time feenot mpv
  • A user who installs software via Homebrew rather than the Mac App Storenot mpv
  • A power user who later wants Rectangle Pro extras but does not need them from day onenot 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.

Rectangle

  • Rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.
  • It is Mac only, so it offers nothing for a user who also runs Windows and wants one window manager everywhere.
  • It has no official paid support channel, being a community open source project, so issues are handled through GitHub rather than a vendor support desk.
  • Some very old or unusually built third party apps still resist Rectangle window snapping, a limitation shared with most third party window managers on macOS.
  • Because it is not distributed through the Mac App Store, some users have to manually approve accessibility permissions and updates rather than getting silent App Store updates.

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

Rectangle

Free
  • RectangleFree
    • Free and open source, no account needed
    • Keyboard and drag window snapping
    • Multi-display support
  • Rectangle Pro$9.99/one-time
    • Separate paid app, not an in-app unlock
    • Cursor-following snap areas
    • Per-app window size memory

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 Rectangle if

  • You need keyboard shortcuts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want drag to snap.
Rectangle review

Questions people ask

Is mpv or Rectangle better?
Neither clearly leads. mpv starts at Free and Rectangle at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, mpv or Rectangle?
mpv starts at Free and Rectangle at Free.
Does mpv or Rectangle run on more platforms?
mpv runs on Mac, Windows, Linux. Rectangle runs on Mac.
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 Rectangle is typically brought in for.
What can mpv do that Rectangle cannot?
mpv covers Command line control, Lua and JavaScript scripting, Plain text configuration, Cross-platform. Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts, Drag to snap, Multi-display support, Almost full screen.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

mpv: Is mpv free?

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

Rectangle: Is Rectangle really free?

Yes. The core app is free and open source with no feature gating or trial period.

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.

Rectangle: What does Rectangle Pro add?

Cursor-following snap areas, per-app window size memory and some additional layouts, sold as a separate one-time purchase app.

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.

Rectangle: How is it different from Magnet?

Rectangle is free and open source; Magnet is a paid Mac App Store app from the start with no free tier.

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