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Free and open-source multimedia player with streaming capabilities developed by the VideoLAN project

Free and open-source multimedia player with streaming capabilities developed by the VideoLAN project

Vote: (18,701 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: VideoLAN

Version: 3.0.20

Works under: Windows

Also available for Mac Android

Vote:

Program license

(18,701 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

VideoLAN

3.0.20

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Mac Android

Pros

  • There are no ads and VLC is completely free
  • Plays just about every file type imaginable
  • Customizable skins and video codecs
  • No hidden spyware or user tracking

Cons

  • Only supports a few different languages
  • No cloud storage for larger libraries

The VLC media player is a tool that allows you to playback video, listen to audio, and view images in nearly every format known to man. VLC eliminates the need to have multiple video programs installed on your PC at once. It comes equipped with all the codecs your computer needs to recognize and play a bevy of different file types. It is free and easy to install on any machine running windows.

Customization To The Core

VLC has won over many users by offering them the ability to fully customize their viewing experience. You can download custom skins that give your player a unique look and feel. If you don't like any of the premade options, you can craft your own with the skin editor. You can also add additional codecs to your library. This gives you the ability to play any new file formats that come out without needing to update your software.

Unparalleled Ease Of Use

When you first install VLC media player, it scans your Windows PC for any existing media files. Once found, they all get moved over to your VLC directory. Your photos, music, and videos will automatically show up without you even lifting a finger. You can enjoy all of your files with just one click. If you click on a file that isn't supported, you can search the web for a codec that allows you to run it.

Staying Secure

There is a huge advantage to running all of your media through VLC. Many programs track your watch history and spy on your every move. As long as you download the VLC media player from a reputable source, you can rest assured that no spyware will be included. Your computer will also run faster during video playback since nothing else is running behind the scenes.

Streaming Capability

Another cool feature of VLC media player is the ability to watch streaming videos from a variety of online sources. You can hook into platforms such as Hulu or Netflix as long as you have an account. This allows you to watch these services with less video buffering. This is an excellent choice for anyone with slower internet speeds. You can even install custom software to help mitigate buffering even further.

All in all, VLC media player is an extremely versatile piece of software that should be installed on every Windows PC. It offers incredible freedom and flexibility to enjoy media any way you want to.

Pros

  • There are no ads and VLC is completely free
  • Plays just about every file type imaginable
  • Customizable skins and video codecs
  • No hidden spyware or user tracking

Cons

  • Only supports a few different languages
  • No cloud storage for larger libraries

Pros

  • Despite wide feature set, the program is free.
  • Program lets you stop downloading random codecs.
  • Even supports Blu Ray and HD DVD playback, and incomplete video file playback.

Cons

  • User interface might be too simplistic for some users.
  • A couple of paid alternatives come with more advanced features and settings.

As evidenced by its name, VLC Media Player is a media playback program with tons of features. The average computer user has run into problems playing certain audio or video files at least once. Many users run into this problem on a regular basis. Unfortunately, downloading individual codecs and formats for these files is a headache. VLC Media Player solves this problem by supporting dozens of common video and audio formats so that users rarely have to worry about whether playback will work or not.

A Simple Program With Loads of Compatibility

When VLC Media Player is launched, users are presented with a basic interface. They'll see a playback window, which is empty if no files are being played. However, various drop down menus hide the program's extra features and customization options. Users either drag and drop files to play them, or they can open files within the program. Playback will begin immediately for compatible files, whether it's audio or video.

The true charm of VLC is the fact that the overwhelming majority of files will play. Its entire point is that all common file formats are supported. For that reason, users should rarely expect to see an error message or experience playback problems. VLC Media Player even supports more obscure audio and video formats, unlike the most popular media players. Plus, new formats are added with each update to ensure smooth playback.

VLC Media Player Offers Features, Features, and More Features

VLC's main feature is its near-complete support for video and audio formats. Then again, the program includes tons of other features for regular users. A handful of streaming services are integrated into VLC Player. Users can access this content with a few clicks, and more streaming channels are added regularly. On top of that, support for Blu Ray and HD DVDs is included, with the latter being unsupported in most players.

Should you download VLC Media Player today?

In many ways, VLC Media Player is the best media player on the market. Users can download the program for Windows computers without paying a dime. A simple user interface and excellent performance are commendable here. Of course, it should be noted competing media players may have more advanced features for editing audio/video files.

Either way, the VLC Player should be considered the go-to solution for video and audio playback. Not all files are encoded using a common format these days. Users won't have to worry about individual codecs while using VLC Media Player. Recommending this particular program is a no-brainer, and most people will use the program from time to time. For some users, VLC Player might be launched every day for playback.

Pros

  • Despite wide feature set, the program is free.
  • Program lets you stop downloading random codecs.
  • Even supports Blu Ray and HD DVD playback, and incomplete video file playback.

Cons

  • User interface might be too simplistic for some users.
  • A couple of paid alternatives come with more advanced features and settings.