PlayAnyVideo / Video player comparisons / Windows Media Player alternatives Roundup
Windows Media Player alternatives
Windows Media Player and the new Media Player app play common files, but MKV with DTS sound or HEVC phone videos often fail without extra extensions.
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 A free, ad-free replacement that keeps the simplicity but plays HEVC, MKV, AVI and WMV without buying an extension.
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. PotPlayer Platforms Windows Price Free Ads Check the official site Open source No HEVC (H.265) on Windows Built-in decoder
Plays a very wide range of formats out of the box. Deep settings and customization for power users. A familiar interface that many users in Korea have used for years. PlayAnyVideo vs PotPlayer · PotPlayer alternatives
3. 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
4. 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
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. 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. PlayAnyVideo vs MPC-HC · MPC-HC alternatives
7. 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. PlayAnyVideo vs MPC-BE · MPC-BE alternatives
8. 5KPlayer Platforms Windows, macOS Price Free Ads Check the official site Open source No HEVC (H.265) on Windows Check the official site
Can send video to other devices such as AirPlay receivers. PlayAnyVideo vs 5KPlayer · 5KPlayer alternatives
9. SMPlayer Platforms Windows, Linux Price Free Ads Check the official site Open source Yes (GPL) HEVC (H.265) on Windows Built-in decoder
Remembers settings such as position and audio track for each file. Open source and free of charge. PlayAnyVideo vs SMPlayer · SMPlayer alternatives
10. 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. PlayAnyVideo vs mpv · mpv alternatives
11. PowerDVD Platforms Windows Price Paid (editions vary) Ads Check the official site Open source No HEVC (H.265) on Windows Check the official site
Disc playback (DVD and Blu-ray, depending on edition). Organizes a media library. PlayAnyVideo vs PowerDVD · PowerDVD alternatives
12. 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. PlayAnyVideo vs BS.Player · BS.Player alternatives
13. RealPlayer Platforms Windows 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
A long history and a familiar interface. PlayAnyVideo vs RealPlayer · RealPlayer alternatives
14. DivX Player Platforms Windows, macOS 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
The official player for DivX videos. A long history and a familiar interface. PlayAnyVideo vs DivX Player · DivX Player alternatives
Main platforms and editions only — check the official site for the full list.
FAQ Why won’t Windows Media Player play my MKV or HEVC file? It relies on the codecs installed in Windows. HEVC needs the paid HEVC Video Extensions, and some audio formats such as DTS are not supported.
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.
