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Head-to-head · Free Tools

VLC media player vs DaVinci Resolve

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score VLC media player #1 in Free Tools 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit VideoLAN
DaVinci Resolve #7 in Free Tools 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Try DaVinci Resolve

VLC media player leads on 0 checks, DaVinci Resolve on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreVLC media player · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresVLC media player · 1 of 2

VLC media player scores higher on our rubric for free tools: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

VLC media player is the better fit for free media playback across devices. DaVinci Resolve is the better fit for free video editing, color, and audio post.

  • VLC media player fits best

    Free media playback across devices

  • DaVinci Resolve fits best

    Free video editing, color, and audio post

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Side by side

Feature VLC media player 9.4/10 Visit ↗ DaVinci Resolve 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.8
Ranking #1 in Free Tools #7 in Free Tools
Best for Free media playback across devices Free video editing, color, and audio post
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS
Integrations 10 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features VLC media player 1/2 · DaVinci Resolve 0/2
Open source ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Self-hosted option Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Not checked yet
Free user limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free storage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Plays many audio and video formats without separate codec packs
  • Supports local files, discs, devices, network shares, and streams
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
  • Free edition combines editing, color, Fusion effects and Fairlight audio.
  • Supports Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution and editing up to 60 fps.
  • Blackmagic Cloud collaboration and YouTube, Vimeo and TikTok workflows.
Cons
  • Its extensive playback and filter options may be more than casual listeners need
  • Media-library search and playback history are listed for Android
  • Support is through community resources and documentation
  • Studio is a $295 one-time upgrade for higher limits and extra tools.
  • Studio is required for frame rates up to 120 fps and resolutions up to 32K.
  • Its broad post-production feature set may exceed the needs of simple edits.
Our verdict

VLC media player is a free, open-source multimedia player from VideoLAN for people who want to play audio and video across desktop and mobile devices. It handles local files, discs, webcams, connected devices, and network streams, with…

Read the review →

DaVinci Resolve brings video editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, audio post-production and media delivery into one application. Its free edition is aimed at creators and teams who want a full post-production…

Read the review →
  1. VLC media playerFree Tools 9.4Free plan
  2. DaVinci ResolveFree Tools 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • VLC media player — where it wins

    • Plays many audio and video formats without separate codec packs
    • Supports local files, discs, devices, network shares, and streams
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Its extensive playback and filter options may be more than casual listeners need
    • Media-library search and playback history are listed for Android
    • Support is through community resources and documentation

  • DaVinci Resolve — where it wins

    • Free edition combines editing, color, Fusion effects and Fairlight audio.
    • Supports Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution and editing up to 60 fps.
    • Blackmagic Cloud collaboration and YouTube, Vimeo and TikTok workflows.

    Where it doesn't

    • Studio is a $295 one-time upgrade for higher limits and extra tools.
    • Studio is required for frame rates up to 120 fps and resolutions up to 32K.
    • Its broad post-production feature set may exceed the needs of simple edits.

More comparisons

All free tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update