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
Not a media server: PlayAnyVideo just opens and plays your files — no account, no server, no library setup.
| 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. Infuse
| Platforms | iPhone / iPad, macOS, Apple TV |
|---|---|
| Price | Free; some features need a paid upgrade or subscription |
| Ads | Check the official site |
| Open source | No |
| HEVC (H.265) on Windows | No Windows version |
- Polished apps across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.
- Plays videos from network shares and servers on your phone or tablet.
- A library with artwork and details fetched automatically.
3. 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.
4. 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.
Main platforms and editions only — check the official site for the full list.
FAQ
Do I need a media server to watch my videos?
No. A media server is useful for streaming a large library to many devices. To play files on one device, a normal player is enough.
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
- Lightweight video players
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.