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When it comes to finding a great video player for your PC without breaking the bank, opting for one of the top free options can be a game-changer. Sure, there’s been skepticism about free software in the past, but if you stumble upon the right ones, they can truly smooth your video-watching experience. What’s very great about these top-notch free video players is that they spare you the hassle of downloading multiple codecs or plugins and dodging constant check sessions whenever you want to play a new file type.
I’ve personally found that the best free video players out there offer a seamless experience without the need for constant mess around. They provide a wide array of play settings and features, making it effortless to customize your viewing experience to your liking. Plus, they’re natural to use, which means you can spend less time small with settings and more time enjoying your favorite videos hassle-free. So, if you’re on the hunt for a good video player that won’t cost you a penny, don’t overlook the impressive offerings available for free.
Best Free Video Players for PC Comparison Table
In Windows 10, the Movies & TV app is already set as the main video player. You can watch movies and TV shows that you own, that you rented or bought on other Microsoft devices, or that you rent or buy for the first time.
| Feature | VLC Media Player | KMPlayer | PotPlayer | Cisdem Video Player | GOM Media Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (Open Source) | Free | Free | Paid (Free Trial Available) | Free |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows | Windows | Windows, macOS | Windows |
| Supported Formats | Very wide range, including codecs packs | Wide range | Wide range | Wide range | Wide range |
| Ease of Use | Simple interface, but advanced options can be overwhelming | More complex interface with customization options | Simple and clean interface | User-friendly interface | User-friendly interface |
| Customization | Limited customization options | Highly customizable interface and playback options | Highly customizable interface and playback options | Some customization options | Some customization options |
| Advanced Features | Streaming, screen recording, subtitle editing | Streaming, 3D playback, built-in codecs | Streaming, 360° video support, video editing tools | Hardware acceleration, screen capture | 360° video support, VR playback |
Best Free Video Players for Pc
As a result of the fact that we frequently require video players for our Windows PC, it is beneficial to get some information on it prior to installing any new software. It would be beneficial to pre-rate its performance based on the video file types that it supports and how easy it is to use.
VLC Media Player
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Cross-platform | Available on multiple operating systems. |
| Extensive codec support | Plays almost any video or audio format without additional codecs. |
| Customizable interface | Personalize the player’s appearance and layout. |
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VLC Media Player stands out as a strong and flexible choice. The fact that it can easily play almost any video file without the need for extra codecs has given it a great reputation. VLC is very conformable, and it also has a lot of advanced features, such as the ability to change the playing speed, made-to-order the subtitles, and even record your screen. Its design may look simple compared to others on the market, but its unmatched features make it a top contender in the media player world.
The Good
- Versatile format support
- Completely free and open-source
- Highly customizable interface
The Bad
- Interface can be overwhelming for novice users
- Advanced features may require exploration to fully utilize
KMPlayer
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 3D playback | Enjoy immersive 3D video playback. |
| External codec support | Easily integrate external codecs for enhanced compatibility. |
| Cloud storage integration | Access and stream media files from cloud storage services. |
When it comes to free video players, KMPlayer is another strong challenger. KMPlayer supports a wide range of formats, including high-definition and 3D video, and lets you change a lot of things about the interface and playback settings to suit your needs. Extra benefits, such as the ability to record videos and play back certain parts, make it even more entreating.
The Good
- Excellent support for 3D video playback
- Seamless integration with external codecs
- Convenient cloud storage integration
The Bad
- Interface may feel dated compared to other players
- Some advanced features may be underutilized by casual users
PotPlayer
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Customizable skins | Personalize the player’s appearance with various skins. |
| Rich set of filters | Apply filters for enhanced audio and video quality. |
| Diverse format support | Plays a wide range of audio and video formats. |
PotPlayer has a simple design, but it supports a lot of formats and codecs, so it can play a wide range of video files smoothly. Power users will like the detailed video and audio settings, subtitle arrange, and 360-degree video playback. It’s also a popular choice because of its clean layout and many personalized options.
The Good
- Highly customizable interface
- Advanced filter options for improved playback quality
- Extensive format support
The Bad
- Occasional stability issues reported by some users
- Advanced features may be overwhelming for novice users
Cisdem Video Player
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Smooth playback | Ensures smooth playback of high-definition videos. |
| Playlist management | Create and manage playlists effortlessly. |
| Snapshot tool | Capture screenshots from videos with ease. |
It’s easy to use Cisdem Video Player because it focuses on being simple and simple. Even though it doesn’t have as many advanced features as some other players, it does a great job of playing popular video formats. It does this by using hardware opening up and smooth playback. It’s easy to use because it has a clean design, making it a great choice for people who like things to be simple.
The Good
- Smooth playback performance
- Intuitive playlist management
- Convenient snapshot feature
The Bad
- Lack of advanced audio enhancement features
- Occasional compatibility issues with certain file formats
GOM Media Player
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Codec Finder | Automatically searches and installs necessary codecs. |
| Advanced playback controls | Customize playback speed and aspect ratio. |
| Screen capture | Capture screenshots and save them in various formats. |
GOM Player can play a lot of different video formats, and if it comes across a format it doesn’t support, it instinctive looks online for missing codecs to make sure playback goes smoothly. With extra features like controlling the playing speed and supporting subtitles, GOM Player makes it easy to use and gives you a lot of ways to make it your own.
The Good
- Automatic codec installation simplifies playback.
- Versatile playback customization options.
- Convenient screen capture feature.
The Bad
- Interface can be cluttered for some users.
- Occasional compatibility issues with certain codecs.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Free Video Players
The top free video players should fulfill your playback quality, features, usability, and compatibility needs. Important criteria:
- Format Compatibility: Make sure the video player supports MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, WMV, and 4K and 8K. Video players are more adaptable with additional formats.
- Playback Quality: Choose a video player with smooth playback, minimum buffering, and support for HD or Ultra HD (4K) videos. Check user evaluations and performance benchmarks to evaluate video player playback.
- Subtitle Support: Choose a video player that supports SRT, VTT subtitles and provides font size, color, and style adjustment. Foreign language films and accessible videos need subtitles.
- Audio and Video Enhancements: Some video players provide equalizers, audio filters, visual effects, and color tweaks. These tools let you personalize the audiovisual experience and increase quality.
- If you stream videos online often, choose a video player that supports YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. The watching experience is smoother with seamless streaming integration.
- Playback Controls: Look for simple controls to play, pause, rewind, fast forward, skip, and alter playback speed. User experience is improved with volume, aspect ratio, and audio track selection settings.
- Customization: Choose a video player with customizable interface, controls, themes, and skins. Custom shortcuts and hotkeys improve productivity and usability.
- To ensure flawless playback across devices, choose a video player that supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Multiplatform compatibility lets you access your movie library anywhere.
- Even with huge or HD video files, make sure the video player plays smoothly, buffers minimally, and is stable. A lightweight, efficient player optimizes performance without slowing your system.
- Security and Privacy: Consider the video player’s built-in codecs, encryption, and privacy settings. Make sure the player doesn’t have malware, adware, or tracking methods that could jeopardize your privacy.
- Support and Updates: Choose a video player with regular developer updates, bug fixes, and enhancements. Reliable customer support and a responsive community can answer any questions.
Questions and Answers
Now you just need to find the right one for you. We’ve tried and reviewed a lot of free video players, so we can tell you which ones are the best and cut down on your search time. The open-source VLC Media Player is our pick right now.
MPV. Many people love MPV as an alternative to VLC video player. It pretty much continues where VLC left off. It’s free, open source, works on multiple platforms, and can be changed in any way you want. As of now, it has a huge group that is still growing quickly. It also has better shading and higher-quality video rendering.