DRM support: Platform comparison

Different video platforms use different digital rights management (DRM) systems for protected playback. With numerous user devices and applications on the market, knowing which DRM systems are supported by what platforms isn’t always straightforward. Here you’ll find a handy resource to help clear things up.

DRM platform comparison
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DRM technology: Platform native support

This table is a guideline of DRM systems supported by popular platforms and devices. While we list the built-in DRM support that ships with each, there may be other methods of enabling additional systems such as implementing an SDK.

For example, our PRESTOplay for iOS SDK provides additional DRM support by enabling Widevine for iOS/iPadOS playback apps.

Scroll to the right to see the full table.

HTML5 browsers PlayReady Widevine
Modular
FairPlay
Streaming
WisePlay Widevine
Classic
Chrome
Windows, macOS, Android, Chrome OS, Linux
NO YES NO NO NO
Chrome
iOS/iPadOS 13.1+
NO NO YES NO NO
Firefox
Windows, macOS, Linux
NO YES NO NO NO
Firefox
iOS 13.1+
NO NO YES NO NO
Microsoft Edge
Windows, macOS, Android
NO YES NO NO NO
Microsoft Edge
Windows
YES NO NO NO NO
Microsoft Edge
iOS/iPadOS 13.1+
NO NO YES NO NO
Safari
macOS, iOS 11.2+, iPadOS
NO NO YES NO NO
Opera
Windows, macOS
NO YES NO NO NO
Opera
iOS/iPadOS 13.1+
NO NO YES NO NO
Internet Explorer 11
Windows 8.1+
YES NO NO NO NO
Mobile phones & tablets PlayReady Widevine
Modular
FairPlay
Streaming
WisePlay Widevine
Classic
NO YES NO NO NO
Android (4.4 – 5.1) NO YES NO NO YES
Android (3.1 – 4.3) NO NO NO NO YES
iOS/iPadOS NO NO YES NO NO
NO YES NO YES NO
Windows Phone YES NO NO NO NO
Set-top boxes & casting PlayReady Widevine
Modular
FairPlay
Streaming
WisePlay Widevine
Classic
Chromecast YES YES NO NO NO
Android TV YES YES NO NO NO
Roku YES YES NO NO NO
Apple TV NO NO YES NO NO
Amazon Fire TV YES YES NO NO NO
Google TV (2010-2014) YES NO NO NO YES
Smart TVs PlayReady Widevine
Modular
FairPlay
Streaming
WisePlay Widevine
Classic
Samsung (Tizen)
2018+ models
YES YES NO NO NO
Samsung (Tizen)
2016-2017 models
YES YES NO NO YES
YES NO NO NO YES
LG (webOS 3.0+) YES YES NO NO YES
LG (webOS 1-2 & Netcast) YES NO NO NO YES
NO YES NO YES NO
Android TV YES YES NO NO NO
YES YES NO NO NO
Game consoles PlayReady Widevine
Modular
FairPlay
Streaming
WisePlay Widevine
Classic
Xbox (One, 360, Series X/S) YES NO NO NO NO
YES NO NO NO NO
Specifications PlayReady Widevine
Modular
FairPlay
Streaming
WisePlay Widevine
Classic
YES NO NO NO NO
YES YES NO NO NO
Legacy frameworks
Adobe Flash / AIR Adobe Primetime (Access)
Silverlight PlayReady
Contact us

Looking for more information on DRM support, or want another platform listed? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Last updated: August 2021   •   First published: May 2014 on our drmtoday.com site.

Please note: this list is maintained, however, it may become out of date periodically as platforms change support.

Google regularly deprecates old versions of the Widevine CDM for browsers as a security measure. This means old versions of Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Edge which use an outdated Widevine CDM won’t be able to use DRM. Learn more about Google’s deprecation schedule.

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