The Best Free VLC Media Player AlternativesTop Media & Audio Players like VLC Media Player

The best free alternative to VLC Media Player is MPC-HC, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to VLC Media Player and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to VLC Media Player are MPV, SMPlayer, PotPlayer and Kodi.

VLC Media Player alternatives are mainly Media Players but may also be Audio Players or Internet Radio Services. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of VLC Media Player.

VLC Media Player

7299

Free • Open Source
Media Player

VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as...

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VLC Media Player alternatives page was last updated

MPC-HC
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Media Player
Audio Player
Windows
PortableApps.com
130 MPC-HC alternatives
MPC-HC's biggest advantage is arguably just how lightweight it is. Not only is it small in terms of hard drive space, but its CPU and overall system resource use is incredibly small compared to other video players, VLC included.
- - MPC-HC is the most popular Windows alternative to VLC Media Player.
- - MPC-HC is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to VLC Media Player.
Suggest and vote on features
MPC-HC Features
1. LightweightMPC-HC consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeMPC-HC doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Dark ModeMPC-HC supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Works OfflineMPC-HC can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in MPC-HC without registration.
6. Support for 4KMPC-HC supports watching, rendering or exporting 4K content (also know as UHD or Ultra HD).
7. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of MPC-HC.
8. Privacy focusedMPC-HC is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
9. PortableMPC-HC can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Stream audio
Webcam recording
Comments about MPC-HC as a Alternative to VLC Media Player
Almost everyone thinks MPC-HC is a great VLC Media Player alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Paul Karpo
Very light-weight. With super easy interface and without any bugs.
Top positive comment •
11

Guest
Performance is superior to VLC.
Top positive comment •
9

Diuma
Very good application alternative for VLC! Was using it long time before the VLC Player itself
Positive comment •
0

Root Boot
Overall it just a better video player. Include basic feature such as click to pause/play, play the next file in folder, after playback task. MPC-HC also render (.ass) subtitle substantially better than any open source alternatives out there and can read .mkv better. Not to mention how light weight MPC is.
Positive comment •
-2

Guest
In my opinion MPC-HC is the definition of perfect for normal usage. It almost does every thing one can expect from a media player. Considering its performance, its size on the hard-disk as well as its CPU consumption is unbelievably low. Besides one have: Full control of playing screen size by default or cursor-dragging options Full control of video, audio, and playlist Full control of all after-play options

Thank to all people who develop the program.
Positive comment •
3

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5 of 19 comments
MPV
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Media Player
Audio Player
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
Xfce
91 MPV alternatives
MPV is an MPlayer-based video player that is available on all major desktop operating systems. Linux users in particular cite MPV as one of the best alternatives to VLC. Its interface is extremely minimal, though with that comes extraordinary stability.
- - MPV is the most popular Android, Mac & Linux alternative to VLC Media Player.
Suggest and vote on features
MPV Features
1. LightweightMPV consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Command line interfaceMPV either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsMPV can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. PortableMPV can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Ad-freeMPV doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. Works OfflineMPV can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Support for 4KMPV supports watching, rendering or exporting 4K content (also know as UHD or Ultra HD).
8. Dark ModeMPV supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Music LooperMPV supports a grid of musical loops and phrases that you can trigger and manipulate in real time.
Minimalistic
Integrated Codecs
Low resource footprint
FOSS
Drag and Drop
GNU/linux-libre
Configurable
Video playback
Lua scripting
HDR source support
Comments about MPV as a Alternative to VLC Media Player
Almost everyone thinks MPV is a great VLC Media Player alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Shuunen
finally seeking in a video is smooth <3
Top positive comment •
2

Guest
Development is active and can be found on many of the same platforms as VLC.
Top positive comment •
12

Salvador
It does not have similar interface.
Top negative comment •
-1

Fireryyo
Because mpv is lightweight,customizable,doesn't suck and FOSS
Positive comment •
0

André Willik Valenti
Very minimal, indeed, and very fast. Has many keyboard shortcuts and displays album art for songs. I decided not to use it because I need global hotkeys (play/pause, next, previous) to work, and they didn't (at least on Windows).
Comment •
0

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SMPlayer
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Media Player
Audio Player
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
mpv
PortableApps.com
Haiku
MPlayer
117 SMPlayer alternatives
Like MPV, SMPlayer is based off of MPlayer, but unlike MPV, it's more focused on accessibility with its user interface. Out of the box, users cite SMPlayer as having the versatility and stability of MPV with the ease of use of players like VLC. It also supports add-ons such as a YouTube search.
Suggest and vote on features
SMPlayer Features
1. LightweightSMPlayer consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeSMPlayer doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Works OfflineSMPlayer can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. PortableSMPlayer can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in SMPlayer without registration.
6. Chromecast SupportCast your content to a Chromecast connected device with SMPlayer.
Customizable
Support for subtitles
Multiplatform
Skin customization
Youtube support
Integrated Codecs
Built-in subtitle search
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Multiple languages
HDR source support
Comments about SMPlayer as a Alternative to VLC Media Player
Almost everyone thinks SMPlayer is a great VLC Media Player alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Armin
It has beautiful skins and is suitable for weak systems.
Top positive comment •
2

Guest
It is the best mpv frontend in my opinion. having such powerful media player engine such as mpv + a user friendly ui. built-in subtitle search engine makes you like a lot easier too.
Top positive comment •
3

Mayank-Arora
I have stopped using VLC, since I came across SMPlayer. It works seamlessly on all my devices. I once made keyboard shortcuts, and saved it on cloud. Now, it is very easy to copy that file and have same settings and same shortcuts across all devices. For me, this is better than VLC media player and it is so easy to set aspect ratio, increase and decrease volume, manage video speeds and sync audio/subtitles.
Positive comment •
0

Dany Dube
Remember the configuration of each file (audio track, subtitles,). Remember position in time Storing a subtitle from a video including support for automatically forced subtitles. Lightness of the program and high reactivity.
Positive comment •
2

André Willik Valenti
Highly configurable, but lacks stability, at least on Windows. Freezes sometimes, even after switching between back-end players.
Negative comment •
-3

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PotPlayer
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Media Player
Audio Player
Windows
117 PotPlayer alternatives
PotPlayer is a modular video player that also works with most video file formats by default. Many of our users also find that it starts up faster and performs better than VLC, while also including small quality of life features that can be useful in specific contexts (such as support for two subtitle tracks on the same video file in order to help learn a new language).
Suggest and vote on features
PotPlayer Features
1. LightweightPotPlayer consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freePotPlayer doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Dark ModePotPlayer supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Support for 4KPotPlayer supports watching, rendering or exporting 4K content (also know as UHD or Ultra HD).
5. Works OfflinePotPlayer can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in PotPlayer without registration.
7. PortablePotPlayer can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Customizable
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Graphical User Interface
Support for subtitles
Skinnable
Playback speed control
Integrated Codecs
Minimalistic
Thumbnail preview
Playlists management
Bundleware
Several antivirus detect a potentially unwanted application (adware) PUA.FusionCore in the file F.dll dropped by the installer of PotPlayer in the Temp folder. Once that file is blocked by the antivirus, the program is installed with no problems and ads.

Comments about PotPlayer as a Alternative to VLC Media Player
Almost everyone thinks PotPlayer is a great VLC Media Player alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Seth Mitchell
I used it and found it very lightweight. Good alternative to VLC
Top positive comment •
-1

Guest
exactly what i was looking for.
Top positive comment •
1

Mayank-Arora
PotPlayer manages the folders and sub-folders sensibly. Import the list you want to play and it's simple to use. It remembers the 2x speed in next video (unlike VLC).
Positive comment •
0

Apollo07
It starts up faster than VLC and just works smoother for me overall
Positive comment •
0

humphreyhumphries
It has a lot of customaization and don't forget it is the first player to have Dark mood builtin default.
Positive comment •
-1

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Kodi
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Media Center
Media Player
Media Server
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
BSD
iPad
Flathub
Flatpak
Raspberry Pi
Fire TV
71 Kodi alternatives
Though Kodi can function as an alternative to VLC, its strengths lie in its robust cataloging of media and robust sorting and organization options for TV shows, movies, and music. Its media server capabilities are front and center, its playback functionality is nothing to sneeze at, and it can be used for that exact purpose.
- - Kodi is the most popular iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to VLC Media Player.
Suggest and vote on features
Kodi Features
1. Ad-freeKodi doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. PortableKodi can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. AirPlay SupportKodi can stream or share content to your Mac, Apple TV, or compatible smart TV.
4. Support for 4KKodi supports watching, rendering or exporting 4K content (also know as UHD or Ultra HD).
5. Dark ModeKodi supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. Works OfflineKodi can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsKodi can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Media Streaming
TV Shows meta data support
Video library
Media library
Automatic subtitles download
Built-in Media Downloader
Support for subtitles
Music Library
Support for DLNA
Built-in Media converter
Comments about Kodi as a Alternative to VLC Media Player
Most users think Kodi is a great VLC Media Player alternative.
Guest
Kody is more oriented to being a fullscreen video/music cataloguing application, but it has an internal video/audio/iptv playing system with very good decoding capabilities like VLC and can be windowed as well
Top positive comment •
6

Guest
Can also play many formats, and can organize video libraries, playing over UPnP, FTP, and many other protocols
Top positive comment •
-3

Lester Covax
Kodi is a media server first and foremost. It's like comparing Google Docs to Microsoft Office.
Top negative comment •
4

Guest
Kodi is a fullscreen media library manager, a whole home theater frontend. Slower for the purpose, with more complex navigation.
Negative comment •
5

Guest
Kodi, formerly XBMC, is a software media center.
Negative comment •
19
IINA
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Media Player
Audio Player
Mac
mpv
26 IINA alternatives
Though it's exclusive to macOS, IINA's users swear by it for being lightweight, efficient, and performative. Minor annoyances such as performance-based audio-video-subtitle desyncs that can be found on VLC are not a problem when using IINA. Additionally, its interface is neat clean, with clearly labelled settings. This ease of use combined with its excellent performance makes it an easy recommendation for macOS users looking for a media player.
Suggest and vote on features
IINA Features
1. LightweightIINA consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Picture in PictureIINA allows you to put a video, web page or app in a floating window (always on top of other windows).
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in IINA without registration.
4. Support for 4KIINA supports watching, rendering or exporting 4K content (also know as UHD or Ultra HD).
5. Dark ModeIINA supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Clean design
Support for subtitles
Automatic subtitles download
Touchbar integration
Play web video
Built-in themes
Automatic conversion to multiple formats
Media Streaming
Comments about IINA as a Alternative to VLC Media Player
Almost everyone thinks IINA is a great VLC Media Player alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Hans
The best alternative for macOS users who like a small, fast and minimalistic (yet very functional!) media player.
Top positive comment •
4

Paul
Great alternative to VLC if you're on macOS. It's lightweight, the UI is very clean, and has even more functionalities than VLC.
Top positive comment •
5

nicolaspatate
IINA is the best modern player out there
Positive comment •
2

Guest
Lean (simple), mean (versatile) player, void of the bad audio-video-sub sync as in VLC of late (i.e. at least for me).
Positive comment •
1

Guest
Great integration with Mac touchbar & gestures, PiP, and looks like a native app instead of something cobbled together.
Positive comment •
1

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MX Player
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Media Player
Android
Android Tablet
139 MX Player alternatives
Though MX Player only supports Android devices, it is often cited as one of the platform's best video players. Featuring extensive customization options, an Android-optimized design, and plenty of supported video formats, MX Player is worth checking out on your Android phone or tablet if you're looking for a simple, optimized video player.
Suggest and vote on features
MX Player Features
1. Hardware AcceleratedMX Player can use the GPU and CPU to speed up rendering, conversion, and overall performance.
Customizable
Multiple languages
Audio playback
Playlists management
Support for subtitles
Comments about MX Player as a Alternative to VLC Media Player
Most users think MX Player is a great VLC Media Player alternative.
Salvador
Some missing features but almost similar to VLC player
Positive comment •
0

Guest
Powerful, Support lots of formats. Easy to use
Positive comment •
6

Alok Shrestha
Fully customisable, very easy to use interface, modern design, very powerful
Positive comment •
1

HurDugggio
Really does a good job of playing a video with maximized settings. Looks gorgeous.
Positive comment •
4