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Flowplayer Video Player

By Noor Alam

Content Management / Document Management & Downloads

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Flowplayer Video Player Review - In-Depth Analysis

Embed responsive videos in WordPress with Flowplayer. Supports MP4 and webm formats, and offers customization options.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.82/10

User Rating

4/5 (based on 6+ reviews)

Active Installations

900+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Flowplayer Video Player allows you to add a video file to your WordPress site using a simple shortcode. You can embed self-hosted or HTML5 compatible videos that are responsive and can be viewed on various devices.

This plugin supports MP4 and webm video formats, ensuring compatibility across major browsers. You can customize the video player with different skins and control its size and aspect ratio. Features include autoplay, looping, and the ability to display a poster image before the video plays.

To use the plugin, simply create a new post or page and include the shortcode with the video source. Additional parameters allow for further customization, such as setting the width and enabling autoplay. For more information, visit the Flowplayer Video Player plugin page.

Comparing to Alternatives

Flowplayer Video Player offers a straightforward video player solution with some unique features but faces competition from several well-established alternatives in the WordPress ecosystem.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and efficient shortcode implementation for embedding videos.
Easy to install and use with minimal configuration.
Supports multiple video formats without issues.
Clean and beautiful user interface compared to similar plugins.
Allows some customization and embedding flexibility.

Weaknesses

Video ratio setup is counter-intuitive, requiring fractional input rather than standard width/height ratios.
Displays a 'FlowPlayer' watermark logo that some users find intrusive, especially on mobile.
Autoplay functionality does not work on iPhone browsers like Safari and Chrome.
Known security vulnerability fixed only in version 1.0.5, indicating past security concerns.

User Sentiment Analysis

With a majority of 5-star ratings, users appreciate the plugin's simplicity and functionality, though some issues have been reported affecting mobile compatibility and site performance.

Positive highlights

"Simple and efficient" with easy shortcode use (funkyphenix).
"Very easy & flawless" operation across different video formats (sgasson).
Beginner-friendly and works as expected (goldcountry).
More useful and beautiful UI than many similar plugins (Anonymous).

Common complaints

Causes site issues on Chrome mobile browsers, including failure to load photos and conflicts with other plugins (daddyoftwo).

Weaknesses

Mobile autoplay does not function on iPhone browsers.
Intrusive FlowPlayer logo watermark on videos.
Some confusion over video ratio input method.
Past security vulnerability related to stored XSS.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a simple, easy-to-use video player plugin that supports multiple formats and offers straightforward shortcode embedding without complex setup.

Not ideal for

Those requiring flawless mobile compatibility, especially on iPhone browsers, or users sensitive to branding watermarks and concerned about past security vulnerabilities.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides basic video playback functionality with shortcode support and multiple format compatibility, suitable for most standard uses.

Final Verdict

Flowplayer Video Player is a solid choice for users who want a simple and effective video player with easy shortcode integration and good format support. Its clean interface and ease of use are praised by many, making it suitable for beginners and those who want minimal setup.

However, issues with mobile browser compatibility, an intrusive watermark, and a history of security vulnerabilities may deter some users. Alternatives with more robust mobile support and customization options might be preferable for those needs.