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Matroska

Extensible, open source multimedia container

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Matroska is an open standard multimedia container format used to package video, audio, subtitles and stereoscopic/3D video in files with the extensions .mkv, .mka, .mks and .mk3d. It is also the basis for .webm (WebM) files. The format addresses the need for a single extensible container that can hold different combinations of media streams and related data.

The project publishes specifications covering data layout, elements, codecs, chapters, attachments, cues, streaming codec mapping, subtitles, tags and implementation recommendations, along with IETF RFCs. Tooling and resources listed include mkclean, mkvalidator, libraries, MKVToolNix, third-party applications, a test suite, source code repositories, examples, and guidance on codecs, tags and element ordering.

Matroska is aimed at developers, implementers and users working with multimedia files and playback or authoring tools. The specification and related materials are made available under an open license, with legal aspects, logos and trademarks, and contributor information documented on the site.

12 alternatives to Matroska

Ranked by how well each tool replaces Matroska: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

  1. MKVToolNix

    A set of tools to create, alter and inspect Matroska files under Linux, other Unices and

    Covers 2 of 11 key features.

    Open source
    65 out of 100 match—

  2. HandBrake

    The open source video transcoder

    Covers 2 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free planOpen source
    63 out of 100 matchContact sales

  3. MPlayer

    The Movie Player

    Covers 1 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free planOpen source
    62 out of 100 matchContact sales

  4. SMPlayer

    Free media player with built-in codecs for Windows and Linux

    Covers 2 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free planOpen source
    61 out of 100 matchFree

  5. MakeMKV

    One-click conversion of owned video discs into MKV files.

    Covers 0 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    61 out of 100 matchContact sales

  6. mpv

    A free, open-source, cross-platform media player.

    Covers 0 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free planOpen source
    60 out of 100 matchFree

  7. Kdenlive

    Free and open source non-linear video editor from the KDE community

    Covers 2 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free planOpen source
    60 out of 100 matchContact sales

  8. K-Lite Codec Pack

    A free software bundle for high quality playback of music and video files on Windows.

    Covers 0 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    60 out of 100 matchFree

  9. BS.Player

    Multimedia player supporting video, audio, DVD and streaming formats with subtitle

    Covers 1 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    58 out of 100 matchContact sales

  10. Solveig Multimedia

    Desktop software for lossless video editing, screen recording, and bitstream analysis.

    Covers 2 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free planOpen source
    58 out of 100 matchContact sales

  11. OSMC

    OSMC is a free and open source media center built for the people, by the people.

    Covers 2 of 11 key features.

    Open source
    57 out of 100 match—

  12. 5KPlayer

    Free 4K/5K/8K music and video player with AirPlay, DLNA, and online video download.

    Covers 1 of 11 key features and has a free plan.

    Free plan
    55 out of 100 matchContact sales