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Best VLC media player Alternatives in 2026

Free#1 of 75 in Media Player SoftwareVideo Player SoftwareLocal Music Player SoftwareFree Tools+1 more

The top VLC media player alternatives are mpv, KMPlayer and SMPlayer: 15 media player software our editors would look at instead of VLC media player, in our ranking order.

9.4/10Editor score
Visit VideoLAN
VLC media player9.4 Visit VideoLAN

VLC media player: A broad, capable free player for local, network, and streamed media across major platforms. Where it falls short: hardware-accelerated decoding depends on platform support.

Switching from VLC media player? For most media player software buyers the best VLC media player alternative is mpv, built for power users who value scripting and control.

Why People Look for a VLC media player Alternative

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

Quick Picks by What You Need

All 15 VLC media player Alternatives, Ranked

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.

  1. mpv

    Best forPower users who value scripting and control

    A flexible, scriptable player for users who prefer control over convenience.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan Our mpv verdict → Visit mpv
    9.1/10★★★★★
    Visit mpv
  2. KMPlayer

    Best forUsers needing broad playback and network features

    A broad media player with strong format, network, cloud, and casting support.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan · 3-day trial Our KMPlayer verdict → Visit KMPlayer
    9.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit KMPlayer
  3. SMPlayer

    Best forFree open-source desktop playback

    A capable free desktop player for broad-format playback, streaming, subtitles, and YouTube.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan Our SMPlayer verdict → Visit SMPlayer
    8.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit SMPlayer
  4. MPlayer

    Best forOpen-source playback with legacy format breadth

    A codec-rich open-source player for broad format and subtitle coverage.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Free plan Our MPlayer verdict → Visit MPlayer
    8.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit MPlayer
  5. Infuse

    Best forApple users with media servers and cloud libraries

    A feature-rich Apple media player for local, networked, server, and cloud libraries.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan · 7-day trial Our Infuse verdict → Visit Infuse
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Infuse
  6. MediaPortal

    Best forWindows home-theater and live-TV setups

    A Windows-focused media center for playback, live TV, network shares and home theater.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    Free plan Our MediaPortal verdict → Visit MediaPortal
    8.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit MediaPortal
  7. 5KPlayer

    Best forFree desktop 4K/8K playback

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

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan Our 5KPlayer verdict → Visit 5KPlayer
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit 5KPlayer
  8. DivX Player

    Best forFree desktop 4K playback with casting

    A free Windows and macOS player for 4K video, subtitles, playlists, and casting.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan Our DivX Player verdict → Visit DivX
    8.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit DivX
  9. Zoom Player

    Best forWindows users wanting advanced playback controls

    A feature-rich Windows player for users who want control across local and streaming media.

    • Hardware acceleration
    Our Zoom Player verdict → Visit Zoom Player
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit Zoom Player
  10. foobar2000

    Best forAudio-focused users needing deep library control

    A free, highly configurable music player with deep library and network controls.

    • Network playback
    Free plan Our foobar2000 verdict → Visit foobar2000
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit foobar2000
  11. GOM Player

    Best forUsers wanting video playback plus AI subtitles

    A versatile free player for broad format support, network playback, and AI subtitles.

    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    Free plan Our GOM Player verdict → Visit GOM Player
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit GOM Player
  12. OSMC

    Best forRaspberry Pi and dedicated media-center users

    A focused, free media center for Raspberry Pi, Vero, and first-generation Apple TV.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan Our OSMC verdict → Visit OSMC
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit OSMC
  13. BS.Player

    Best forWindows and Android users needing subtitles

    A capable subtitle-focused player with free Windows playback and paid PRO upgrades.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    Free plan Our BS.Player verdict → Visit BS.Player
    7.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit BS.Player
  14. Haruna

    Best forLinux users wanting a customizable mpv frontend

    A customizable, free mpv frontend for Linux and Windows desktops.

    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    • Network playback
    Free plan Our Haruna verdict → Visit Haruna
    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit Haruna
  15. PlayerXtreme

    Best forMobile users with varied network media sources

    A format-rich mobile player for varied files, network sources, and streaming libraries.

    • 4K playback
    • Hardware acceleration
    • Subtitle support
    Free plan Our PlayerXtreme verdict → Visit PlayerXtreme
    7.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit PlayerXtreme

VLC media player Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to VLC media player?

mpv: #2 in our Media Player Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.1 out of 10. A flexible, scriptable player for users who prefer control over convenience.

Is there a free alternative to VLC media player?

Yes. mpv, KMPlayer, SMPlayer, MPlayer and Infuse have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).

Why do people look for VLC media player alternatives?

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

How do I switch from VLC media player?

Export your data from VLC media player (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel VLC media player.

How to Switch from VLC media player

  1. Export your data from VLC media player (most tools have an export in their settings).
  2. Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
  3. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
  4. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel VLC media player.

VLC media player vs Each Alternative

#ToolFree planPaid fromSupported platformsNetwork playbackSubtitle supportFormat supportScore
1VLC media playerYesFreeWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidYesYesMPEG-1/2, MPEG-4, H.264, DivX, XviD, WMV, MKV, MP4, MOV, AVI, WebM, MP3, AAC, FLAC, DVD, Audio CD, VCD9.4
1mpvYesFreeWindows, macOS, Linux, AndroidYesYesMatroska (MKV), MP49.1
2KMPlayerYesWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidYesYesAVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, FLV, MPEG, MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, SRT, ASS, SSA, WebVTT9.0
3SMPlayerYesFreeWindows, Linux, macOSYesYesAVI, ASF/WMV/WMA, QT/MOV/MP4, RealAudio/RealVideo, Ogg/OGM, Matroska, MPEG-1/2, H.264, MPEG-4, MP3, AAC, AC3, DTS, and more8.8
4MPlayerYesFree8.7
5InfuseYes$16.99/yriOS, macOS, Apple TV, visionOSYesYes3GP, AVI, AV1, ASF, BDMV, DIVX, DVDMEDIA, DVR-MS, FLV, H.264, H.265, H.266, ISO/IMG, M4V, MKV, MOV, MP4, MPEG, MTS/M2TS, MXF, OGM, OGV, RMVB, STRM, STRMLNK, TS, VC1, VIDEO_TS, VOB, VP9, WEBM, WMV, WTV; AAC, AC3, DOLBY, DTS, E-AC3, FLAC, MP3, OGG, PCM, TTA, WMA8.6
6MediaPortalYesFreeweb, windows, ios, androidYesYesMPEG-2, MPEG-1, MOV, H.264, VC-1, DivX, Xvid, AC3, DTS, MP3, AAC, Matroska, DVD, Blu-ray8.5
75KPlayerYesFreeWindows, macOSYesYesMP4, MKV, AV1, MOV, WMV, FLV, AVI, MPEG, MTS, M2TS, VOB, WebM, MP3, AAC, FLAC, APE8.4
8DivX PlayerYeswindows, macosYesYesAVI, DIVX, MKV, MP4, HEVC8.3
9Zoom PlayerNo$23.95 one-time8.2
10foobar2000YesFreeWindows, macOS, Android, iOS; Linux via WineYesMP3, MP2, MP1, M4A/AAC/Apple Lossless, Ogg Vorbis, Opus, Musepack, Speex, AC3, DTS, WMA, FLAC/Ogg FLAC, WavPack, Monkey's Audio, TAK, WAV, Wave64, RF64, AIFF, AU/SND, Matroska/WebM, MPEG Transport Stream, Audio CD, HLS radio8.1
11GOM PlayerYes$22 one-timeWindows, macOS, iOS, AndroidYesYesAVI, OGM, MKV, MP4, TS, WMV, MOV, MPG, VOB, FLV, MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WAV, WMA8.0
12OSMCYesFreeRaspberry Pi, Vero, Apple TVYesYesMPEG-2, VC-1, H.264, H.265/HEVC, AV1, MKV, MP4, MOV, WMV, TS, M2TS, AAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, Opus, WAV, WMA7.9
13BS.PlayerYes€29.90 one-timeWindows, AndroidYesYesWebM, Xvid, AVI, MPG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, 3ivx, streaming video, AVCHD, MOV, RM, OGM, MKV, ASF, WMV, DV, M1V, M2V, MP4, MPV, SWF, VOB, WAV, MPA, MP1, MP2, MP3, Ogg, AAC, AIF, RAM, WMA, FLV7.8
14HarunaYesFreeLinux, WindowsYesYes7.7
15PlayerXtremeYesiOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Apple WatchYesYesMP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, m3u8, WebM, 3gp, FLV, MPG, TS, VOB, MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV, WMA, AIFF7.6

Head-to-Head

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update