The iPad is an incredible device for watching videos, but out of the box, it doesn’t support every format you might encounter. Thankfully, a range of third-party apps can fill this gap, offering both free and paid options to enhance your viewing experience. Here’s a look at the best apps to watch any video on your iPad.
Best All-Round Video Tool — VLCIf you need a versatile video player, VLC is your go-to app. This Swiss Army knife of video players supports almost any format you throw at it. Though it can be a bit fiddly, especially when transferring videos, it offers multiple methods like syncing via Mac, Wi-Fi sharing, and cloud services like iCloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive. VLC is free and compatible with iOS 9 or later, making it accessible even on older iPads.
Best for Ease of Use — InFuseInFuse shines with its user-friendly interface and robust organization features. It supports numerous formats and automatically sorts your videos into categories like movies and TV shows. The free version handles most video formats without compromising quality, while the paid version ($2/month or $13/year) adds even more, including Blu-ray support. For those wanting a lifetime license, it’s available for $100.
Best for Movie Collections — PlexPlex is ideal for users with extensive media libraries. It streams content from your Mac to your iPad, even remotely, for a one-time $4.99 fee. Setting up remote streaming can be tricky, but once done, Plex offers a smooth experience. It also provides free access to live TV channels and movies from Plex's library. For an enhanced experience, Plex Pass ($4.99/month) adds DVR capabilities if you have a tuner.
Choosing the Right Video Player
VLC, InFuse, and Plex each offer free versions, allowing you to try them all and decide which best suits your needs. While Plex is great for remote streaming, it might not be reliable on the go without strong Wi-Fi. InFuse stands out for local and Plex-based viewing, making it a convenient choice for most users. VLC, despite its slight complexity, remains a reliable backup thanks to its extensive format support and small size (62.7MB compared to InFuse's 100.4MB and Plex's 160MB).