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Alternatives

VLC alternatives

VLC is a video player for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone / iPad. If it no longer fits what you need, here are the alternatives worth a look — and an honest note on when VLC is still the better choice.

Open the playerFree Windows app · v0.1.13

Information as of November 2026

Why people look for a VLC alternative

  • They want to play a file in the browser without installing anything.
  • They want a modern, ad-free player that also works in the browser.

1. PlayAnyVideo — free, no ads

  • No ads, no paid unlocks and no codec purchase — core playback is free.
  • Works in the browser with nothing to install; local files play on your device and are never uploaded.
  • The free Windows app plays HEVC (H.265), MKV with AC-3/DTS, AVI, WMV and more through an open-source LGPL FFmpeg engine.
  • Subtitles: SMI, SRT, VTT and ASS/SSA with automatic encoding detection, sync and style controls.
  • The Windows app can cast to a TV on your home Wi-Fi (DLNA) or open Windows screen mirroring.
  • Timestamped notes, A-B repeat, playlists and resume — in 12 languages.

No native macOS or iPhone app yet: on a Mac or iPhone you use the web player, and format support then depends on the browser.

PlayAnyVideo vs VLC

Other VLC alternatives

2. Plex

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone / iPad, Apple TV, Web browser · Free; some features need a paid upgrade or subscription

  • Organizes your media on a server and streams it to your other devices.
  • Available on many platforms.

PlayAnyVideo vs Plex · Plex alternatives

3. GOM Player

Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone / iPad · Free version with ads; paid ad-free edition

  • A familiar interface that many users in Korea have used for years.
  • Built-in tools for finding subtitles.

PlayAnyVideo vs GOM Player · GOM Player alternatives

4. KMPlayer

Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone / iPad · Free

  • A familiar interface that many users in Korea have used for years.
  • Available on many platforms.

PlayAnyVideo vs KMPlayer · KMPlayer alternatives

5. Kodi

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android · Free · No ads

  • A full-screen, TV-friendly media center interface.
  • A large add-on ecosystem.

PlayAnyVideo vs Kodi · Kodi alternatives

6. mpv

Windows, macOS, Linux · Free · No ads

  • Minimal interface, highly scriptable and configurable.
  • Lightweight and quick to start.

PlayAnyVideo vs mpv · mpv alternatives

When to stay with VLC

VLC may still be the better choice if:

  • you want one desktop player that opens almost anything
  • an open-source licence matters to you
  • you want the same app on many kinds of devices
  • you need network streaming or conversion tools

FAQ

What is a good free alternative to VLC?

It depends on your device. PlayAnyVideo is a free, ad-free option for the browser, Windows and Android; Plex, GOM Player, KMPlayer are other popular choices.

Can I try an alternative without installing anything?

Yes. Open the PlayAnyVideo web player in your browser and drop a file in — nothing is installed and the file stays on your device.

Will my subtitle files still work?

PlayAnyVideo reads SMI, SRT, VTT and ASS/SSA subtitles and detects their text encoding automatically.

Related roundups

All alternatives

Information as of November 2026. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners; PlayAnyVideo is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Features, editions and prices change — please check each official website.