VLC Media Player Alternatives for Android

There are many alternatives to VLC Media Player for Android if you are looking for a replacement. The best Android alternative is MPV, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to VLC Media Player and loads of them are available for Android so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Android alternatives to VLC Media Player are MX Player, Kodi, KMPlayer and GOM Player.

filter to find the best alternatives

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

Cross-platform, free media player supports multimedia files, DVDs, streaming, offers hardware acceleration, 4K, lossless audio, and more.

More about VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
  1. MPV icon
     507 likes

    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.

    103 MPV alternatives
    MPV screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • Xfce

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Minimalistic
    3.  Configurable

    Features

    1.  Integrated Codecs
    2.  Low resource footprint
    3.  Command line interface
    4.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    5.  Video playback
    6.  Drag and Drop
    7.  Lua scripting
    8.  HDR source support
    9.  GNU/linux-libre
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Hardware Accelerated
    12.  Portable
    MPV iconVLC Media Player Icon

    MPV VS VLC Media Player

    Is MPV a good alternative to VLC Media Player?
     
    Comments about MPV as an Alternative to VLC Media Player
     
       
    Comment summary: MPV is frequently praised as a lightweight, customizable, and reliable alternative to VLC Media Player. Users note that it handles AV1 encoded videos and other formats more smoothly, overcomes playback stuttering issues, and offers better battery usage. Its minimalistic design with practical shortcuts is favored, though some users miss a conventional UI. Despite VLC's established reputation, MPV is recognized for its strong performance on multiple platforms.
    kfua

    I tried to play a movie encoded to 1080p av1 but vlc was struggling on my device. I used this website to find an alternative MPV plays av1 encoded movies smoothly.

    Top positive commentJul 8, 2024
    1
    Guest

    In Linux, VLC sometime struggles playing MP4 videos & navigating within those MP4 videos. Celluloid (MPV frontend) works better in these regards.

    Positive commentDec 8, 2024
    0
    0x6A7232

    VLC was having stuttering problems for whatever reason. Installed MPV and bam! Also love the UI, really well integrated for playing movies which is great.

    Positive commentFeb 21, 2024
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 25 comments
    VLC Media Player Icon
    MPV icon
    • Almost everyone thinks MPV is a great VLC Media Player alternative.

    • MPV is the most popular Android, Mac & Linux alternative to VLC Media Player.

    • MPV is Free and Open SourceVLC Media Player is also Free and Open Source
    • MPV is Lightweight and MinimalisticVLC Media Player is not according to our users
  2. MX Player icon
     192 likes

    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...

    142 MX Player alternatives
    MX Player screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Hardware Accelerated
    2.  Multiple languages
    3.  Audio playback
    4.  Support for subtitles
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Support for 4K
    8.  Lossless Audio
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    11.  Personalized Recommendations
    12.  Chromecast Support
    MX Player iconVLC Media Player Icon

    MX Player VS VLC Media Player

    Is MX Player a good alternative to VLC Media Player?
     
    Comments about MX Player as an Alternative to VLC Media Player
     
       
    Guest

    Powerful, Support lots of formats. Easy to use

    Positive commentAug 12, 2016
    6
    Salvador

    Some missing features but almost similar to VLC player

    Positive commentJun 27, 2022
    0
    HurDugggio

    Really does a good job of playing a video with maximized settings. Looks gorgeous.

    Positive commentDec 15, 2016
    4
    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    VLC Media Player Icon
    MX Player icon
    • Most users think MX Player is a great VLC Media Player alternative.

    • MX Player is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to VLC Media Player.

    • MX Player is Freemium and ProprietaryVLC Media Player is Free and Open Source
  3. Kodi icon
     1498 likes

    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 th...

    73 Kodi alternatives
    Kodi screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Fire TV

    Top Kodi Features

    1.  Media Streaming
    2.  TV Shows meta data support
    3.  Video library
    4.  Media Center
    5.  Media library
    6.  Support for IPTV
    7.  Media Server
    8.  Automatic subtitles download
    9.  Built-in Media Downloader
    10.  Ad-free
    11.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    12.  Portable
    Kodi iconVLC Media Player Icon

    Kodi VS VLC Media Player

    Is Kodi a good alternative to VLC Media Player?
     
    Comments about Kodi as an Alternative to VLC Media Player
     
       
    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 commentSep 8, 2015
    6
    Lester Covax

    Kodi is a media server first and foremost. It's like comparing Google Docs to Microsoft Office.

    Top negative commentFeb 8, 2021
    5
    Guest

    Too Bloated. Not really meant for playing local video files

    Negative commentJan 10, 2025
    0
    Show more comments
    3 of 6 comments
    VLC Media Player Icon
    Kodi icon
    • Most users think Kodi is a great VLC Media Player alternative.

    • Kodi is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to VLC Media Player.

    • Kodi is Free and Open SourceVLC Media Player is also Free and Open Source
  4. KMPlayer icon
     476 likes

    KMPlayer is often praised for its interface, which has been described as more functional and user-friendly than VLC or Media Player Classic Home Cinema. Its playlist manager is more akin to WinAmp's than it is to VLC or other video players, which makes it desirable for those with vast multimedia catalogs. It...

    156 KMPlayer alternatives
    KMPlayer 32bit

    License model

    • FreeProprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    KMPlayer Features

    1.  Hardware Accelerated
    2.  Support for 4K
    3.  Supports H265 Codec
    4.  Support for Batch Mode
    KMPlayer iconVLC Media Player Icon

    KMPlayer VS VLC Media Player

    Is KMPlayer a good alternative to VLC Media Player?
     
    Comments about KMPlayer as an Alternative to VLC Media Player
     
    James Hunt

    Better interface and more features. For instance, KMP can skip one frame backwards, which VLC can't

    Positive commentAug 8, 2022
    1
    VLC Media Player Icon
    KMPlayer icon
    • Most users think KMPlayer is a great VLC Media Player alternative.

    • KMPlayer is Free and ProprietaryVLC Media Player is Free and Open Source
  5. GOM Player icon
     241 likes

    GOM Player is a freeware media player. Key strengths are the ability to play the majority of media files without the need to obtain a codec, and the ability to play some broken media files, both advantages over traditional players, like Windows Media Player.

    132 GOM Player alternatives
    GOM Player screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreemiumProprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Skinnable
    2.  Support for subtitles
    3.  Playback speed control
    4.  Customizable triggers
    5.  Integrated Codecs
    Bundleware

    The installer contains additional bloatware that can hijack your browser's settings. Be careful during the installation: https://alternativeto.net/discussions/applications/11718/be-careful-in-the-installation/

    GOM Player iconVLC Media Player Icon

    GOM Player VS VLC Media Player

    Is GOM Player a good alternative to VLC Media Player?
     
    Comments about GOM Player as an Alternative to VLC Media Player
     
    clydelyman

    Its effects are easier to use and it has an extensive Preferences selection; BE AWARE, they have a separate music player. I have both. the Reverb is solid. you can avoid the crapware by doing the first download from Ninite and just updating or do a custom install. To my knowledge GOM does not recored.

    Positive commentMar 7, 2017
    2
    Guest

    VLC Player looks like it belongs on a Windows 95 computer. GOM Player has a much more professional interface with lots of options.

    Positive commentJul 26, 2015
    -2
    Guest

    Support almost all types of video formats.

    Positive commentDec 21, 2017
    -1
    VLC Media Player Icon
    GOM Player icon
    • Most users think GOM Player is a great VLC Media Player alternative.

    • GOM Player is Freemium and ProprietaryVLC Media Player is Free and Open Source
    • GOM Player is LightweightVLC Media Player is not according to our users
  6. SpMp icon
     11 likes

    A YouTube Music client with a focus on customisation of colours and song metadata, built using Compose Multiplatform for Android and desktop.

    105 SpMp alternatives
    Android app #1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Flatpak
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  No registration required
    4.  Personalized Recommendations
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Collaborative Playlists
    9.  Support for Lyrics
    SpMp iconVLC Media Player Icon

    SpMp VS VLC Media Player

    Is SpMp a good alternative to VLC Media Player?
     
  7. Poweramp icon
     105 likes

    Poweramp v3 is a major update focused on the new Audio engine, UI, and navigation.

    138 Poweramp alternatives
    Poweramp screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Interactive Visualization
    2.  Album shuffle mode
    3.  Chromecast Support
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  AirPlay Support
    6.  Works Offline
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    8.  Lossless Audio
    9.  Support for Gestures
    10.  Collaborative Playlists
    11.  Music Store
    12.  MP3 Downloader
    Poweramp iconVLC Media Player Icon

    Poweramp VS VLC Media Player

    Is Poweramp a good alternative to VLC Media Player?
     
    • Most users think Poweramp is a great VLC Media Player alternative.

    • Poweramp is the most popular commercial alternative to VLC Media Player.

    • Poweramp is Paid and ProprietaryVLC Media Player is Free and Open Source
    • Poweramp is Lightweight and Privacy focusedVLC Media Player is not according to our users
7 of 85 VLC Media Player alternatives