Modes Media Player · Compare
Your media.Your kind of player.
Share the whole collection. Make playback personal. Move with a swipe. See how Modes Media Player compares with VLC and Infuse on eleven features that put you in control.
Choose a player around your own media
Start with how you want to organise and play your files. The Modes Media Player overview explains modes, separate audio and video playlists, offline playback and everyday setups for iPhone and iPad. Use the comparison below to weigh sharing, customisation and player controls alongside VLC and Infuse.
- Want a library that feels personal? Explore artwork and animated backgrounds in Modes.
- Moving a prepared collection to another device? Read how to share modes and playlists.
- Prefer direct playback controls? See Tracks tab, swipe navigation and repeat on the main product page.
The features that make Modes different.
Compare sharing, customisation and playback. Scroll sideways on small screens.
| Feature | Modes Media Player | VLC for iOS | Infuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collection sharing | Modes or playlists, with media and styling. | Media-group files; styled archives not documented. | Video playlists; shareable archives not documented. |
| Playlist transfer | Media, titles, artwork, colours, order and backgrounds. Requires compatible Modes. | File transfers; styled playlist archives not documented. | Library sync; styled playlist archives not documented. |
| Animated backgrounds | Audio background choices; blurred portrait-video backdrop. | Playlist backgrounds not documented. | Playlist backgrounds not documented. |
| iPhone and iPad | Portrait and landscape player layouts. | Both devices supported. | Both devices; iPhone landscape lock. |
| Repeat controls | Repeat one or all, directly in the player. | Equivalent player controls not documented. | Loop options in list or folder menus. |
| Clips | Trim a clip from the waveform or video thumbnails; the original stays untouched. | Equivalent clip library not documented. | Equivalent clip library not documented. |
| Transcripts and captions | On-device transcripts on supported iOS 26 devices; saved subtitles and export captions. | Subtitle files; transcript generation not documented. | Subtitle files; transcript generation not documented. |
| On-device AI | Transcribe, summarise and suggest highlight clips with Apple Intelligence on supported iOS 26 devices; nothing leaves the device. | Not documented. | Not documented. |
| Audio to video | Portrait or landscape MP4 from audio, artwork, slides and backgrounds. | Not documented. | Not documented. |
| Keep the screen awake | Automatic during foreground audio playback, no toggle needed. | Equivalent audio-list control not documented. | Equivalent audio-list control not documented. |
| Gestures | Sideways swipes between tabs; edge double-taps for tracks; up/down for playlists. | Seek, volume and brightness. | Seek, volume and brightness. |
Selected features compared by Zynx, maker of Modes. Sources checked 13 September 2026: VLC media groups, VLC playlists, VLC gestures, VLC for iOS, Infuse playlists, Infuse settings and Infuse controls. “Not documented” means these sources do not confirm the feature, not that it is unavailable.
Make a collection feel like yours
A folder can hold your files. A mode gives them a context: Study, Family, Gym or a quiet evening. Add playlist images, track artwork and accent colours so each collection is easy to recognise.
Included animated backgrounds give audio playback its own atmosphere. Choose backgrounds per audio playlist, or turn animation off. The emphasis is on the collection you create and how you enjoy it. Explore the artwork and background options on the Modes product page.
Share the work you put into a playlist
Send a prepared playlist or mode to another compatible Modes app with its media, supported artwork, colours, saved order and background selections. The main product page shows how this fits into shared study playlists and family audio and video collections.
A Modes archive is an independent copy. It does not make a live shared library, and ordinary playlist or mode shares omit personal clips and listening positions. Full library backup is a separate option.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Modes Media Player different from typical local media players on Apple devices?
Modes brings collection sharing, customisation and direct player controls together. Share entire modes or playlists with supported metadata and artwork, choose animated audio backgrounds, switch tracks and playlists with swipes, and change repeat settings in the player. Portrait and landscape layouts support iPhone and iPad, while the Tracks tab and automatic screen-awake keep your audio library visible during foreground playback.
Does Modes Media Player support iPad?
Yes. For iPhone with iOS 17.0 or later and iPad with iPadOS 17.0 or later. You can organise playlists and play your media on either device. To move a collection between them, export a mode or playlist and import it in a compatible version of Modes Media Player.
Can I use Modes Media Player offline?
Yes. Imported compatible files are stored locally and can play offline. Files held in iCloud Drive or another provider may need an internet connection to download before you import them.
Can I share a playlist with its artwork and playing order?
Yes. Share a playlist or an entire mode as a portable .modes file to include its media and supported customisation, including artwork, colours, saved order and background choices. The recipient needs a compatible Modes Media Player version. This sends a snapshot, not a live synchronised playlist.
Can an individual playlist mix audio and video?
No. Each playlist contains one media type. A mode can contain both audio playlists and video playlists, keeping related collections together with separate playback lists.
Does Modes include music or let me download from streaming services?
No. Bring your own compatible audio and video files. Modes does not include a music or video catalogue, or extract downloads from streaming services. The sample media shown in screenshots is illustrative and is not included.
Can I turn off animated backgrounds or loop a playlist?
Yes. Choose included animated backgrounds for audio playlists or turn animation off. Portrait video uses a blurred moving backdrop from the playing video. The player has repeat-one, repeat-all and repeat-off controls. The screen stays awake automatically during foreground audio playback; pausing or leaving the app restores normal auto-lock.
Which player should I choose?
Consider Modes when personal organisation, artwork and portable collections are your priorities. Consider VLC when broad file compatibility and network access matter most. Consider Infuse when you want a movie and TV library with automatic artwork and connected video sources. Try your own files in the player you choose; compatibility depends on the file format and encoding.
Which iOS media player should I try in 2026?
Modes Media Player brings a personal approach to audio and video on iPhone and iPad. Organise your files into spaces for different parts of your day, customise playlist artwork and colours, and swipe through playback over animated backgrounds. You can also share a complete mode or playlist with another Modes user, including its media and saved presentation.
Which iPhone media player has gesture controls?
Modes Media Player lets you navigate with gestures. In Play, double-tap the left or right edge to change tracks, swipe vertically to move between non-empty playlists in the current mode, and press and hold to move to the next mode. Swipe sideways anywhere to move between the Modes, Playlists, Tracks, List and Play tabs. Switch to Tracks when you want to browse titles and choose a specific recording.
What makes Modes an interactive smartphone media player?
Modes Media Player combines touch gestures with a library you can shape yourself. Choose artwork and colours, arrange tracks, select animated backgrounds for audio playlists and move through your collection with swipes. It is made for iPhone and iPad; you bring the audio and video files you want to play.
What app can I try to show off my new iPhone?
Try building a personal playlist in Modes Media Player: import a few favourite tracks, add cover artwork, choose an included animated background and open Play mode. Double-tap the edges of the visual player to move between tracks, or switch to your video collection. The screenshots on this page show the experience before you download. Check the App Store for compatibility with your phone and iOS version.
How do I choose the best App Store media player for me?
Start with your files and how you want to use them. Compare supported formats, offline playback, gesture controls, playlist organisation, customisation and pricing. Modes Media Player suits people who want to organise their own audio and video, personalise the player and share prepared collections. It does not include a streaming catalogue. Look through the real screenshots, then check the App Store listing against your device and needs.