VLC media player vs 5KPlayer

VLC media player9.4Visit 55KPlayer8.4Visit

Higher score VLC media player #1 in Media Player Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit VideoLAN

vs

5 5KPlayer #8 in Media Player Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit 5KPlayer

• VLC media player fits best

  Anyone wanting a capable free all-platform player

• 5KPlayer fits best

  Free desktop 4K/8K playback

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	VLC media player 9.4/10 Visit ↗	55KPlayer 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.4
Ranking	#1 in Media Player Software	#8 in Media Player Software
Best for	Anyone wanting a capable free all-platform player	Free desktop 4K/8K playback
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	10 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features VLC media player 4/4 · 5KPlayer 4/4
Network playback	✓	✓
Subtitle support	✓	✓
Hardware acceleration	✓	✓
4K playback	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS
Format support	MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4, H.264, DivX, XviD, WMV, MKV, MP4, MOV, AVI, WebM, MP3, AAC, FLAC, DVD, Audio CD, VCD	MP4, MKV, AV1, MOV, WMV, FLV, AVI, MPEG, MTS, M2TS, VOB, WebM, MP3, AAC, FLAC, APE
License model	Free	Free
Our review
Pros	Supports local, disc, device, webcam, network, and stream playback Works across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android Includes subtitle support, hardware decoding, and 4K/8K playback	Plays 4K, 8K, HDR, HEVC and AV1 media Combines local playback with AirPlay and DLNA streaming Includes subtitles, playlists, downloads and hardware acceleration
Cons	Hardware-accelerated decoding depends on platform support Media libraries with search and history are specified for Android Does not include AI features	Available only for Windows and macOS desktops Feature breadth may exceed the needs of basic playback users Support is provided through email and documentation
Our verdict	VLC media player is a free, open-source multimedia player and framework from VideoLAN. It is designed for people who want one application for local video and audio, DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, webcams, devices, network streams, and a wide range… Read the review →	5KPlayer is free desktop media player software for Windows and macOS. It is designed for individual users and small teams that want one application for video, music, DVDs, IPTV and internet radio. Playback covers formats including MP4,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• VLC media player — where it wins

  • Supports local, disc, device, webcam, network, and stream playback
  • Works across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
  • Includes subtitle support, hardware decoding, and 4K/8K playback

  Where it doesn't

  • Hardware-accelerated decoding depends on platform support
  • Media libraries with search and history are specified for Android
  • Does not include AI features

• 5KPlayer — where it wins

  • Plays 4K, 8K, HDR, HEVC and AV1 media
  • Combines local playback with AirPlay and DLNA streaming
  • Includes subtitles, playlists, downloads and hardware acceleration

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for Windows and macOS desktops
  • Feature breadth may exceed the needs of basic playback users
  • Support is provided through email and documentation

• VLC media player9.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad, capable free player for local, network, and streamed media across major platforms.

  Visit VideoLANFull verdict →
• 55KPlayer8.4/10 · Free plan

  A free Windows and macOS player with wide format support and network streaming.

  Visit 5KPlayerFull verdict →