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What is Syncplay?
Syncplay is free, open-source software that keeps video playback in sync across several people's media players, so a group can watch the same file together from different locations. Everyone needs their own copy of the video; Syncplay synchronizes pausing, unpausing and seeking over the internet in a shared "virtual room," so the group stays on the same moment.
What it actually does
- Shared control: when one person pauses or jumps to a scene, the others follow, instead of everyone shouting "wait, pause!"
- Works with players you already use: the site lists mpv, mpv.net, MPC-BE, MPC-HC, VLC 3, IINA and memento, with mpv (or mpv.net on Windows) recommended for best compatibility.
- Pairs with voice chat: it handles playback only, so you run Mumble, Skype or similar alongside it to talk.
- Cross-platform: Windows, Linux, BSD and macOS builds are offered, plus public servers hosted in France if you don't want to run your own.
Who it suits
It fits friend groups and long-distance couples who already have the same files and want a low-friction watch-together setup without a streaming service. It suits people comfortable installing software and picking a media player. It is less suitable if you want built-in chat, browser-based viewing, or automatic handling of different copies or versions of a film.
A practical next step
For a first session, agree on one player (mpv is the safest bet), confirm everyone has an identical file, and connect to one of the public rooms before trying a private server. If you'd rather compare alternatives, MetaTheater and Watch2Gether take different approaches worth checking.
How do I set up Syncplay so my friends and I can watch the same video together?
Syncplay keeps everyone's media player at the same point in the video: when one person pauses, unpauses or seeks, the others follow, while each person plays the file locally. That means everyone must already have the same video file, and each person needs a compatible player installed. According to the Syncplay page, supported players include mpv, mpv.net, MPC-BE, MPC-HC, VLC 3, IINA and memento, with mpv recommended for best compatibility.
Setup, step by step
- Everyone installs Syncplay from Syncplay (Windows installer or portable, Linux packages, or the macOS disk image for version 15+). On Windows, the page warns against running it as administrator on Windows 11, and notes that a missing Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable can stop it loading.
- Everyone installs a supported player and makes sure the same video file is available locally, in the same or a comparable version.
- One person hosts a room. You can use one of the public servers listed on the site (for example
syncplay.pl:8995through:8999) or run your own server; the site has a "Running a server" section for that. - Others join the same server and room with the same room name, then each person opens the video in their player through Syncplay rather than launching it separately.
- Agree on a countdown, then press play. From then on, pauses and seeks propagate to the room.
- Run voice chat alongside — the site suggests VoIP software such as Mumble or Skype, since Syncplay only synchronises playback.
Practical decisions
- Public server vs. your own: a public server is the fastest way to start for a one-off movie night. A self-hosted server gives you a private room and control over who connects, at the cost of setup effort.
- Which player: mpv is the safest default for compatibility; VLC 3 is the familiar choice if your friends already use it.
- Same file matters: Syncplay synchronises playback, not the video itself, so mismatched rips or different editions will drift or fail to line up.
As a next step, do a two-minute test with one friend before inviting the group: join the room, play, pause and seek once each, and confirm both sides stay together.
Which media players work best with Syncplay, and how do I choose one?
Start with mpv (or mpv.net on Windows) if you want the smoothest Syncplay experience: Syncplay's own documentation names mpv as the most compatible option. Choose VLC 3 if you want a familiar interface with minimal setup, MPC-BE or MPC-HC if you are already comfortable with those Windows players, and IINA on macOS if you want a native-feeling player. memento is also listed as supported.
Quick comparison
| Player | Best for | Trade-off to know |
|---|---|---|
| mpv | Best overall compatibility with Syncplay | Sparse default interface; many controls are keyboard-driven or configured via files |
| mpv.net | Windows users who want mpv compatibility with a more conventional UI | Windows-focused |
| VLC 3 | People who want a widely known player with little learning curve | Check that you are using the supported VLC 3 line rather than assuming any VLC version works |
| MPC-BE / MPC-HC | Windows users already using these players | Less portable across operating systems |
| IINA | macOS users who want a native app | macOS only |
| memento | Users looking for another supported option | Less commonly discussed than mpv or VLC |
How to decide
- Pick your operating system first. On macOS, IINA is the natural native choice; on Windows, mpv.net, MPC-BE or MPC-HC fit existing habits; on Linux, mpv is the straightforward pick.
- Prioritise compatibility over familiarity if sync problems appear. Syncplay synchronises pausing, unpausing and seeking, but it does not stream the video itself—everyone must already have the same file. If playback drifts or controls behave inconsistently, switching to mpv is the most direct troubleshooting step.
- Keep voice chat separate. Syncplay is designed to run alongside VoIP software such as Mumble or Skype rather than replacing it, so choose a player that leaves screen space and audio handling comfortable during a call.
A practical setup for a distant friend group: each person installs mpv and Syncplay, confirms they have an identical copy of the video file, joins the same virtual room and server, then starts playback together. If one person strongly prefers VLC's interface, test a short clip with both players before committing to a full-length session.
For downloads and supported player details, see Syncplay.
Why won't Syncplay launch on Windows, and how can I fix it?
The most likely cause is a missing Microsoft Visual C++ runtime: Syncplay's own download page notes that if Syncplay does not load on Windows, you probably need the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable Package, specifically the 32-bit version (vc_redist.x86.exe) even on 64-bit Windows. Install that, reboot, and try launching again.
Other fixes worth trying
- Don't run it as Administrator on Windows 11. The page explicitly warns this can cause UI issues. Launch it normally from your user account.
- Try the console build. The same download includes
SyncplayConsole.exe, which starts without the graphical interface. If that runs, the problem is in the GUI layer rather than the installation itself. - Reinstall cleanly. Uninstall, delete leftover settings, then reinstall. On Windows the installer stores settings in
%APPDATA%, while the portable build keeps them in the Syncplay folder — a corrupted settings file in either location can stop startup. - Check your media player. Syncplay drives an external player such as mpv, mpv.net, MPC-BE, MPC-HC, VLC 3, IINA or memento. If Syncplay opens but then closes or hangs, the player path or version may be the issue; mpv (or mpv.net on Windows) is recommended for best compatibility.
If it still fails
Report it through Syncplay's GitHub issue tracker, but check the Support section first in case the problem is already covered. Include your Windows version, whether you used the installer or portable build, and any error message.
For a quick decision: if nothing happens at all when you double-click the icon, start with the Visual C++ redistributable; if the window flashes and vanishes, suspect settings or the player configuration.
Can I run my own Syncplay server instead of using the public ones?
Yes. Syncplay is designed so that groups can run their own server rather than relying on the official public servers (the page lists several hosted in France, e.g. syncplay.pl:8995–8999). The software is free and open source under Apache 2.0, and the site includes a "Running a server" section plus a server-only package for Linux, so self-hosting is an intended, supported path.
When self-hosting makes sense
- Privacy and control: you decide who can connect and where the traffic goes, instead of using a shared public room.
- Reliability for a regular group: a persistent server avoids depending on the availability of the official ones.
- Custom setup: useful if you already run a Linux box or VPS and want the room on your own network or domain.
Trade-offs to weigh
- You handle uptime and updates: a self-run server is your responsibility; public servers are maintained for you.
- Setup effort: expect to install and configure the server package, open the relevant port, and share the address with your group.
- Same client, either way: each participant still needs Syncplay and the same video files locally; only the server address differs.
Practical next step
Read the "Running a server" page on Syncplay before installing, then test with one friend: start your server, have them connect using your address and port, and confirm that pause, unpause and seek stay in sync. If you only watch occasionally with a few people, the public servers are the simpler choice; if you host a recurring movie night, a small self-run server is worth the one-time setup.
How does Syncplay keep everyone's pause, play, and seek actions in sync during a group viewing?
Syncplay coordinates pause, play, and seek across the internet so that everyone in the same virtual room, playing the same local file, sees the same thing at the same moment. It doesn't stream video itself: each person opens their own copy in a supported player (mpv, mpv.net, MPC-BE, MPC-HC, VLC 3, IINA, or memento), and Syncplay sends the control events between clients. The practical effect is that one person pausing or jumping to a timestamp moves the whole group, instead of people shouting "wait, pause!" as the project's own page jokes.
What this means for a real session
- One host, one shared file: every participant needs the identical video file locally; Syncplay keeps the players aligned, not the files distributed.
- Voice goes elsewhere: the site suggests running it alongside VoIP software such as Mumble or Skype, since Syncplay handles playback control only.
- Compatibility matters: the project recommends mpv (or mpv.net on Windows) for the best experience, so a group with mixed players may see smoother results if everyone standardises.
- Rooms and servers: you join a virtual room on a server; the site lists official public servers hosted in France, and you can run your own.
Choosing this over screen sharing
If your group already has the same files and decent players, Syncplay preserves full local quality and lets each person resize, adjust volume, or use subtitles without affecting others. Screen sharing or a watch-party service is simpler when files differ or when someone can't install software, but it costs quality and control. For a small group of friends with matched libraries, the synchronised-player approach is the lighter option.
A sensible first step: have everyone install Syncplay and mpv, confirm the exact same file version, then test pause and seek in a private room before the real session.
OVH SAS
France
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