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
The web player needs no installation at all, and the Windows app picks the lightest way to play each file — direct, remux, GPU or software.
| 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. MPC-HC
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Price | Free |
| Ads | No ads |
| Open source | Yes (GPL) |
| HEVC (H.265) on Windows | Built-in decoder |
- Lightweight and quick to start.
- Open source and free of charge.
3. MPC-BE
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Price | Free |
| Ads | No ads |
| Open source | Yes (GPL) |
| HEVC (H.265) on Windows | Built-in decoder |
- Lightweight and quick to start.
- Open source and free of charge.
- Deep settings and customization for power users.
4. mpv
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
|---|---|
| Price | Free |
| Ads | No ads |
| Open source | Yes (GPL) |
| HEVC (H.265) on Windows | Built-in decoder |
- Minimal interface, highly scriptable and configurable.
- Lightweight and quick to start.
- Open source and free of charge.
5. BS.Player
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Price | Free and paid editions |
| Ads | Check the official site |
| Open source | No |
| HEVC (H.265) on Windows | Check the official site |
- Lightweight and quick to start.
- A long history and a familiar interface.
Main platforms and editions only — check the official site for the full list.
FAQ
Which video player is lightest?
Minimal players such as mpv and MPC-HC are known for being light. How smooth playback is still depends on the file’s codec and your hardware.
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.
More roundups
- Best free video players for Windows
- Ad-free video players
- Free HEVC (H.265) players
- Players for KakaoTalk videos on PC
- 4K and 8K video players
- Android video players compared
- Video players for Mac
- Korean video players compared
- Open-source video players
- Windows Media Player alternatives
- Media center apps compared
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.