PlayAnyVideo / Video player comparisons / Android video players compared Roundup
Android video players compared
Android plays common MP4 files on its own, but MKV, AVI or unusual audio often need another app. Here is how the popular ones compare.
Information as of November 2026
How we compared Platforms it runs on Price and paid editions Ads in the free version HEVC (H.265) playback on Windows without buying an extension Open-source licence 1. PlayAnyVideo · Our player An ad-free Android app is coming to Google Play; until then the web player works in Chrome on Android with nothing to install.
Platforms Web browser, Windows, Android (coming to Google Play) Price Free — no paid unlocks Ads No ads, ever Open source Decoding engine: yes (LGPL FFmpeg / libav.js) HEVC (H.265) on Windows Free in the Windows app (LGPL FFmpeg)
2. GOM Player Platforms Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone / iPad Price Free version with ads; paid ad-free edition Ads Free version shows ads Open source No HEVC (H.265) on Windows Check the official site
A familiar interface that many users in Korea have used for years. Built-in tools for finding subtitles. Available on many platforms. PlayAnyVideo vs GOM Player · GOM Player alternatives
3. KMPlayer Platforms Windows, macOS, Android, iPhone / iPad Price Free Ads Free version shows ads Open source No HEVC (H.265) on Windows Check the official site
A familiar interface that many users in Korea have used for years. Available on many platforms. Deep settings and customization for power users. PlayAnyVideo vs KMPlayer · KMPlayer alternatives
4. nPlayer Platforms iPhone / iPad, Android Price Free and paid editions Ads Check the official site Open source No HEVC (H.265) on Windows No Windows version
Plays videos from network shares and servers on your phone or tablet. Gesture controls designed for phones. PlayAnyVideo vs nPlayer · nPlayer alternatives
5. VLC Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone / iPad Price Free Ads No ads Open source Yes (GPL) HEVC (H.265) on Windows Built-in decoder
Plays a very wide range of formats out of the box. Open source and free of charge. Available on many platforms. Network streams and conversion tools are built in. PlayAnyVideo vs VLC · VLC alternatives
6. MX Player Platforms Android Price Free version with ads; paid ad-free edition Ads Free version shows ads Open source No HEVC (H.265) on Windows No Windows version
Gesture controls designed for phones. Hardware and software decoding options. PlayAnyVideo vs MX Player · MX Player alternatives
7. Plex Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone / iPad, Apple TV, Web browser Price Free; some features need a paid upgrade or subscription Ads Check the official site Open source No HEVC (H.265) on Windows Check the official site
Organizes your media on a server and streams it to your other devices. Available on many platforms. A library with artwork and details fetched automatically. PlayAnyVideo vs Plex · Plex alternatives
8. Kodi Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Price Free Ads No ads Open source Yes (GPL) HEVC (H.265) on Windows Built-in decoder
A full-screen, TV-friendly media center interface. A large add-on ecosystem. Open source and free of charge. PlayAnyVideo vs Kodi · Kodi alternatives
Main platforms and editions only — check the official site for the full list.
FAQ Is there an Android video player without ads? Yes. VLC and Kodi are open source with no ads, and PlayAnyVideo has no ads either. Some popular players show ads in their free version.
Does PlayAnyVideo show ads or ask me to buy codecs? No. PlayAnyVideo has no ads, no paid unlocks and no codec purchases. The Windows app decodes HEVC with an open-source LGPL FFmpeg engine.
Are my videos uploaded when I use the web player? No. Local files are played on your own device and are never sent to a server.
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.
