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MPC-HC review

Free#26 of 42 in Video Player Software

A capable Windows player for modern codecs, subtitles, HDR, and detailed playback control.

6.7/10Editor score
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MPC-HC6.7 Visit MPC-HC

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

MPC-HC is a free, open-source desktop video and audio player for Windows. It suits viewers who want broad modern codec support, detailed playback controls, subtitle tools, and a traditional desktop player. Supported Windows versions include Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11. The project is distributed under the GPL v3 license, with internal codecs, DirectShow-based extensibility, playlist support, and playback-position history with resume.

Codec coverage is a central strength. MPC-HC supports HEVC/H.265, VVC/H.266, AV1, and AC4, along with hardware acceleration and HDR playback through MPC Video Renderer or madVR. Its playback controls extend beyond basic play and pause: viewers can adjust speed, repeat an A-B section, pan and scan video, and work with WebVTT and SRT subtitles. Subtitle search and automatic subtitle search add useful support for files that need matching captions. Blu-ray playback is also available, although without Blu-ray menus.

The open-source pricing model keeps the player free, while its ecosystem adds optional functionality through yt-dlp, ffmpeg, and OpenSubtitles. yt-dlp enables website streaming and downloads, giving MPC-HC a broader role than a local-file player when that integration is configured. The trade-off is platform scope: MPC-HC is for Windows, not a cross-platform media setup. Choose it if you want a free Windows player with modern codec support, HDR options, subtitle features, and granular playback controls. Choose an alternative if you need another operating system or full Blu-ray menu navigation.

MPC-HC pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Supports HEVC, VVC, AV1, and AC4 playback
    • Offers HDR playback with MPC Video Renderer or madVR
    • Includes subtitle search, resume, speed control, and yt-dlp support
  • Where it doesn't
    • Runs on Windows only
    • Blu-ray playback does not include Blu-ray menus
    • Web video features depend on yt-dlp integration

MPC-HC fact sheet, pricing and score →

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