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VLC media player
VLC media player · Paris, France
What it is
VLC media player is a free media player for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It plays multimedia files, DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and streams, drawing from files, discs, webcams, devices, and network sources. Supported formats include MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4, H.264, DivX, XviD, WMV, MKV, MP4, MOV, AVI, WebM, MP3, AAC, and FLAC. VLC also supports subtitles, hardware acceleration, 4K playback, and various streaming protocols. The page says most codecs can be played without installing codec packs. Users can customize the player with skins and extensions, and create skins using VLC Skin Editor. VideoLAN is a project and non-profit organisation, and its source code can be obtained directly. Downloads are also listed for Apple TV and a range of other systems and Linux distributions. The free plan states that the player has no spyware, ads, or user tracking, and gives no other limits.
For and against
For
- Free, with no spyware, ads, or user tracking.
- Plays files, discs, webcams, devices, and streams.
- Supports subtitles, hardware acceleration, and 4K playback.
- Most codecs play without codec packs.
Against
- Listed core platforms are Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- No other free-tier limits are stated.
The verdict
VLC combines broad media and format support with desktop and mobile availability. Its page states that it is free without spyware, ads, or user tracking.
Who it suits
VLC may suit people who want a free player for local media, discs, webcams, devices, or streams across desktop and mobile systems. It also offers skins and extensions for customization.
Plans and prices
VLC media player
Read 27 Sep 2026 · videolan.org
On the record
- Apple platforms
- Provides downloads for Mac OS X, iOS, and Apple TV.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Codec pack requirement
- The page says most codecs play without codec packs.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Company structure
- VideoLAN is a project and a non-profit organisation.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Customization options
- Supports skins, skin creation with VLC Skin Editor, and extensions.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Format support
- MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4,H.264,DivX,XviD,WMV,MKV,MP4,MOV,AVI,WebM,MP3,AAC,FLAC,DVD,Audio CD,VCDimages.videolan.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- 4K playback
- Yesimages.videolan.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Free tier limits
- The page states no spyware, ads, or user tracking, but gives no other limits.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Hardware acceleration
- Yesimages.videolan.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- License model
- VideoLAN software is licensed under various open-source licenses.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Linux distributions
- Provides downloads for multiple GNU/Linux distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, and Arch Linux.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Media playback
- Plays most multimedia files, DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and streaming protocols.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Network playback
- Yesimages.videolan.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Other systems
- Supports Android, Chrome OS, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, QNX, and OS/2.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Platform coverage
- Runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Unix, iOS, and Android.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Playback sources
- Plays files, discs, webcams, devices, and streams.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Pricing model
- Completely free.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Source code
- The source code can be obtained directly.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Streaming protocols
- Supports various streaming protocols.videolan.org · read 27 Sep 2026
