MediaInfo

MediaInfo displays technical and tag details for video and audio files. It reports container, video, audio, text and chapter information, and reads formats such as MPEG-4, Matroska, AVI, MXF, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, MP3, AAC, FLAC, SRT and ASS. Results can be viewed as text, sheet, tree or HTML, and exported as text, CSV or HTML. The software is available as a graphical interface, command-line tool and library, with operating-system shell integration through drag-and-drop and context menus. MediaInfo is open-source software under a BSD-style license, listed as free. MediaInfoOnline offers browser-based use and says files remain on the user's machine rather than being uploaded to MediaArea's servers; it is identified as a technology preview. Downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux distributions, along with a JavaScript module and source builds. MediaArea also offers paid integration, maintenance, custom development and customized support services, with prices not listed.

MediaInfo offers multiple ways to inspect media metadata, with several output views and export formats. Choose a downloadable version for established platform options, or note the preview status of the browser edition.

MediaInfo suits people who need technical or tag details from audio and video files, including users who prefer a graphical interface, command line or library. Its browser option may appeal to users seeking local file processing, with the caveat that MediaInfoOnline is a technology preview.

Overview

MediaInfo inspects technical and tag metadata in video and audio files. It suits people who need to identify a file’s streams and properties, whether checking a single item or fitting metadata reports into a command-line or software workflow.

Its breadth of report views, export formats, and interfaces makes it a capable offline inspector; it is not a real-time audio analysis tool.

Key features

Metadata across media formats

MediaInfo reports container, video, audio, text, and chapter information. It reads formats including MPEG-4, Matroska, AVI, MXF, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, MP3, AAC, FLAC, SRT, and ASS. That makes it useful for checking what a file contains beyond its filename or a single summary, across both audiovisual streams and subtitle formats.

Flexible reports and workflows

Results can be viewed as text, sheet, tree, or HTML, then exported as text, CSV, or HTML. The range gives users options for reading a report directly or passing it along in a familiar format. A graphical interface serves direct inspection, while command-line and library versions support other workflows. Drag-and-drop and context-menu integration can make file checks convenient from the operating system shell.

Analysis works offline, but there is no real-time mode. MediaInfoOnline offers a browser-based technology preview and says files remain on the user's machine rather than being uploaded to MediaArea's servers; its preview status makes the downloadable versions the more established choice.

Pricing

MediaInfo is free software at no cost, with a BSD-style license. There is no paid software tier or free trial to weigh against the free version. That makes it an easy fit for users who need metadata inspection without a subscription, though anyone seeking guaranteed service or custom work will need to consider MediaArea's separately priced professional services.

Professional services use custom pricing and are billed separately. They include development and consulting, support with a service guarantee, and non-regression tests; this is for organizations needing tailored integration or ongoing support, not a required upgrade for ordinary file inspection.

Platforms

MediaInfo supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted use, web, and Windows. The download page includes releases for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and multiple Linux distributions, as well as a JavaScript module and source builds. Browser access is through MediaInfoOnline, which remains a technology preview. The software is open source under a BSD-style license, and developers can use its SDK and source-build instructions.

Who it's for

MediaInfo is a strong fit for media users who need to inspect file structure, codecs, tracks, tags, or chapters, and for developers who want command-line or library options. Its multiple report views help accommodate different inspection needs, while offline analysis suits work where files should be examined locally. It is not the right tool for measuring audio as it happens; the product does not provide real-time analysis.

Support resources include FAQs, bug reports, feature requests, issue trackers, and a forum. MediaArea says it collects minimal personal data, does not use it to track users, and does not sell it to other companies.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free, open-source software with offline analysis and a BSD-style license, so there is no software-plan price barrier.
• Pros: Covers container, video, audio, text, and chapter metadata across a broad range of listed formats, making it useful for more than basic audio-file checks.
• Pros: Four viewing styles, three export formats, and graphical, command-line, and library versions give users choices for both inspection and integration.
• Cons: No real-time analysis, so it cannot fill a live measurement role.
• Cons: The browser edition is a technology preview, making the downloadable options the safer pick for an established workflow.
• Cons: Tailored development and guaranteed support are separately priced services rather than part of the free software.

Alternatives

Audio Analysis Software is the broader category to browse when MediaInfo's file-metadata focus is not the right match.

Choose Open Sound Meter instead if you want a freemium option with a free plan and need a tool described as an audio analyzer; it supports iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows, and its maker describes the desktop version as open source.

Open Audio Analyzer is another free alternative, with Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows support.

Consider ACRCloud if you need an API-oriented option: its 14-day trial includes full API access and requires no credit card, but it has no free plan.

Decibel is a paid alternative for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Smaart is a paid alternative for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

LiveSpec is a paid alternative for macOS and iOS.

Youlean Loudness Meter is worth considering for loudness readouts: its free plan never expires and includes film, TV, and gaming presets, LU, INT, TP, LRA, PLR, and DR readouts, plus mono, stereo, and 5.1 channels. It supports macOS and Windows and does not include a command-line tool.

Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst is a free alternative described as a real-time spectrum analyzer plug-in for macOS and Windows.

Verdict

Choose MediaInfo if you need a free, offline way to inspect technical and tag data across video and audio files, especially when multiple report formats or command-line and library workflows matter. Look elsewhere if your priority is real-time audio analysis, or if you need guaranteed support and tailored development rather than a free metadata inspector.