Best VLC Media Player Alternatives
Reviewed
The top-ranked VLC Media Player alternative is MPV (Open Source). The best free option is PotPlayer.
VLC is a free, open-source media player that plays virtually any audio or video format. Users seek alternatives for a more modern interface, better hardware acceleration, media library management, or advanced streaming features.
1MPV
Open SourceMinimalist, highly configurable media player with excellent performance.
2PotPlayer
FreeFeature-packed Windows media player with extensive format support.
3Open-source media center for organizing and playing media across devices.
Plex
FreemiumMedia server and player to stream your library across all your devices.
SMPlayer
Open SourceFree media player with built-in codecs and YouTube playback.
GOM Player
FreemiumPopular media player with codec finder and subtitle support.
KMPlayer
FreeVersatile media player supporting a wide range of formats and codecs.
Media Player Classic - BE
Open SourceActively maintained fork of MPC-HC with additional features.
Elmedia Player
FreemiumSleek media player for macOS with support for many formats.
Free, open-source media server for streaming your own content.
Top VLC Media Player alternatives compared
MPV
MPV is a free, open source media player that started on the command line, with GPU video decoding and scripting that lets you change almost anything about how it behaves. Builds are available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. It suits VLC users who prefer a minimal window and a config file over menus.
PotPlayer
PotPlayer is a Windows media player from Kakao, for Windows 7 to Windows 11 on 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64. It uses DXVA, CUDA and QuickSync hardware acceleration, handles SMI, SRT, DVD, Blu-ray and ASS/SSA subtitles, and supports 3D output formats. It suits Windows users who want many playback options in one app.
Kodi
Kodi is a free, open source media center from the non-profit Kodi Foundation, with a 10-foot interface built for TVs and remote controls. It runs on Windows, Linux, Android, Raspberry Pi, macOS, iOS and tvOS, and can be extended with community add-ons. It suits people turning a TV or small computer into a home theater.
Plex
Plex is a media server plus player apps that stream your own movies, shows and music to other devices. Streaming on your home network is free, but streaming your own videos away from home needs a Remote Watch Pass or Plex Pass. It suits people with a large library they want on every screen in the house.
| App | Price | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPV | Free, open source | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Minimal, scriptable playback |
| PotPlayer | No price listed on its site | Windows | Subtitle and hardware acceleration options |
| Kodi | Free, open source | Windows, Linux, Android, macOS, iOS, tvOS | A TV media center |
| Plex | Free locally, paid remote passes | Server: Windows, macOS, Linux and more | Streaming your library to other devices |
We checked each app's official site on 6 November 2026. Plex's Remote Watch Pass lists at $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year, and is only needed for streaming your own videos outside your home network. We left out MPC-HC, whose site says it has not been developed since 2017.
VLC Media Player alternatives: FAQ
What is the best alternative to VLC Media Player?
MPV is ranked first on this list (Open Source). The ranking combines our base score with readers' votes, so it can change.
What is the best free alternative to VLC Media Player?
The highest-ranked free or open-source options here are MPV, PotPlayer and Kodi.
Which VLC Media Player alternatives work on Mac?
MPV, Kodi, Plex and IINA run on macOS.
Which VLC Media Player alternatives work on Linux?
MPV, Kodi, Plex and SMPlayer run on Linux.
Are there VLC Media Player alternatives for Android?
Yes: Kodi, Plex, GOM Player and KMPlayer have Android apps.
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