Best 8 Free 4k Video Player Software for Windows PC&Mac

4K Ultra HD videos help users to enjoy minute details and close-ups with a stunning viewing experience. The reason behind this is very simple. Its definition is much better than general human eye capabilities as it is designed with a 20/20 vision concept. But, the sad truth is that it is not possible to play 4K UHD videos for free on Windows PC as well as on MacBook/iMac or on Mac OS because common software tools result in poor video quality. If you are searching for some of the most useful and powerful 4k video players that are available for free on Mac and Windows 10 platforms, then the article below can provide you with huge details. 

• Part 1: Best Free 4K Video Players
• 5K Player: Play 4K/5K/1080p HD videos
• VLC Media Player
• PowerDVD 23
• KMPlayer
• DivX Player
• Elmedia Player
• PlayerFab
• Part 2: 4K Video Players FAQs

Recommended Video Editor for 4K Video Editing [Windows & Mac]

Editing 4K videos on your PC and Mac with Wondershare Filmora is easy even you don’t have a high-end computer. With the new version 9 release, Filmora now allows you to control the preview playback quality during editing and create a proxy file copy to preview the video in lower resolution during editing, but exporting with the original 4K resolutions.

Want to buy a laptop that supports 4k video editing? We’ve selected some of the best laptops which support 4K easily. You can click to read our recommendations about the best laptops for 4k video editing.

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Best Free 4K Video Players in 2025

Note that some video players listed below are free on Windows and Mac, while some provide a freemium version with basic features. Some may also offer a free trial to experience the whole app before committing to a subscription. These facts will be highlighted as you go through the list.

Before going through the list, here’s a comprehensive table comparing each tool:

Video Player	Platforms	Hardware Acceleration	Key Codec Support	Price/Limitations
5K Player	Windows and Mac	AMD & NVIDIA GPU, Intel QSV, DXVA	4K/HEVC/HDR/AV1, up to H.264 8K	Completely free
VLC Media Player	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS	Hardware decoding (limited for 4K/8K)	Most formats without external codecs	Free and open-source
PowerDVD 23	Windows	4K/8K hardware acceleration	Ultra HD Blu-ray, H.265/HEVC, MKV, MP4	30-day free trial
KMPlayer	Windows, Mac	High-resolution playback at 60FPS	Internal codecs via libavcodec	Free with ads (removable with donation)
DivX Player	Windows, Mac	4K Ultra HD support	DivX, AVI, MKV, MP4, MOV	Free with paid upgrades
Elmedia Player	Mac	4K acceleration via Apple Silicon & Intel Macs	70+ formats including MKV, MP4, AVI	Free version with Pro upgrade option
PlayerFab	Windows, Mac	Hardware decoding for NVIDIA & AMD	4K Ultra HD, HDR10, DVD/Blu-ray	30-day free trial

1. 5KPlayer

First on this list is 5K Player, a straightforward program that lets you view HD video content. Aside from providing you with a 4K video player, it’s designed as an “all-in-one services platform” with tools like online downloaders, streaming tools, and even a music player.

Key Features:

• Support for 4K, 1080p, and even 360° video

• Supports AMD & NVIDIA GPU acceleration, Intel QSV, and DXVA

• Supports large & UHD videos like 4K/HEVC/HDR/AV1, up to H.264 8K

• Windows & Mac-supported

Pros:

• Free

• Built-in YouTube and Vimeo downloader

• DLNA & AirPlay support

Cons:

• Unwanted advertisements and software recommendations

• Steep learning curve

Best Use Cases/Who It’s For:

5KPlayer is perfect for users looking for an all-in-one platform where they can view, download, and stream 4K videos all at once.

2. VLC Media Player

Probably one of the best 4K players for PC, VLC Media Player is a top choice for people who want a reliable and ad-free 4K viewing experience. This program is open-source and supports 4K UHD, along with several popular media file formats.

Key Features:

• Supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS

• Built-in video formatting tools (video to audio, .mp4 to .avi, etc.)

• Hardware decoding and audio passthrough features

• Real-time AI subtitle translation

Pros:

• Totally free and open-source

• No need for external codecs

• Lightweight and smooth playback

Cons:

• No integrated cloud services

• Lack of an organized media library

• Limited 4K and 8K hardware acceleration

Use-Cases/Who It’s For:

VLC media player can be a good alternative for almost anyone who wants an alternative to the built-in Windows Media Player and QuickTime for Mac.

3. PowerDVD 23

CyberLink PowerDVD 23 is a feature-rich media player designed for Windows users seeking high-quality playback of DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K Ultra HD content. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including support as a 4K video player, advanced audio technologies, and seamless integration with cloud services.

Key Features:

• 4K Ultra HD and 8K video playback with hardware acceleration

• Ultra HD Blu-ray support

• TrueTheater enhancements with HDR, color correction, and surround sound upscaling

Pros:

• Comprehensive format support (H.265/HEVC, MKV, MP4, FLAC, and more)

• Cloud & casting integration through Chromecast, Apple TV, and Roku

• Media library management tools

Cons:

• Only available on Windows (no Mac version)

• 30-day limit on free trial

• Ultra HD Blu-ray playback depends on specific hardware

Use-Cases/Who It’s For:

Windows users with powerful desktops or home theater setups need a full-featured player for 4K, 8K, Blu-ray content, and local and cloud media management.

4. KMPlayer

KMPlayer is a versatile, free multimedia player that supports various video and audio formats. Known for its lightweight design and robust playback capabilities, KMPlayer is available for both Windows and macOS users. It caters to those seeking high-quality video playback without the complexity of more advanced software.

Key Features:

• High-resolution video playback from 4K, 8K, and Ultra High Definition videos at 60FPS

• Utilizes internal codecs (libavcodec library)

• Extensive subtitle compatibility, including .ass formats

• Windows & macOS support

Pros:

• Completely free to use

• Lightweight application with a user-friendly interface

• Customizable features for user experience enhancement

Cons:

• Ads can only be removed if you donate to the developers

• Ads play even during playback

• Extensive functionality might require technical knowledge

Use-Cases/Who It’s For:

Users who seek a free, reliable media player capable of handling high-resolution video playback on Windows and macOS platforms. Ideal for those who prefer a straightforward, no-frills application with essential features.

5. DivX Player

DivX Player is a reliable free tool that’s great as a 4K video player. It supports 4K playback and works on both Windows and Mac. Many users choose it for its clean interface and ability to play popular formats like AVI, MKV, and MP4.

Key Features:

• 4K ultra HD + HEVC/H.265 support

• Supports DivX, AVI, MKV, MP4, and MOV file formats

• Cloud integration with Google Drive and Dropbox

Pros:

• Free-to-download with optional upgrades

• Cloud and casting features allow flexibility with devices and drives

• Built-in converter for videos

Cons:

• Some features, like DTS or AC3, require extra payment

• The installation file is heavier than most players

Use-Cases/Who It’s For:

Anyone who needs a free, flexible 4K video player with built-in conversion and cloud access. Great for users who watch videos across devices.

6. Elmedia Player

Elmedia Player is a free, full-featured media player built exclusively for macOS and designed as an alternative to the QuickTime player. It’s optimized for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, delivering smooth 4K and even 8K playback without needing extra codecs. This is a solid pick if you're looking for a reliable, no-fuss video player that works for your Mac.

Key Features:

• Uses hardware acceleration for 4K & 8K Ultra HD playback

• Plays over 70 video and audio formats, including MKV, MP4, AVI, etc.

• Streams to devices like Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku

Pros:

• Advanced subtitle support (SRT, ASS, SMIL)

• Smooth 4K/8K playback, even on the free version

• No need for additional codecs or plugins

Cons:

• Streaming features require a Pro upgrade

• Not available for Windows features

Use-Cases/Who It’s For:

Mac users seek a reliable, high-quality media player that supports a wide range of formats and offers smooth playback without additional installations. Ideal for those who value simplicity and performance.

7. PlayerFab

PlayerFab is a premium media player designed for users who demand high-quality playback of DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K Ultra HD content. Available for both Windows and macOS, it offers a rich set of features tailored for home theater enthusiasts.

Key Features:

• 4K Ultra HD and HDR10 support

• Navigation menus for DVDs and Blu-rays

• PC and TV playback modes

Pros:

• Provides Netflix, Max, and other streaming platform integration

• Auto-skip intro features

• Hardware decoding for Nvidia and AMD

Cons:

• The free trial is only limited to 30 days

• Some features are locked behind the subscription

Use-Cases/Who It’s For:

Users who want a comprehensive media player that offers high-quality playback of DVDs, Blu-rays, and 4K Ultra HD content, advanced audio support, and customizable viewing options. Having an all-in-one place to watch online streaming platforms like Netflix is also great.

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Part 2: Frequently Asked Questions about Playing 4K Videos

1. What is a 4K video?

A 4K video is a video that is recorded in the 4K resolution. The horizontal side of a 4K video has approximately 4000 pixels, while in most cases, 4K videos displayed on monitors and TVs have a resolution of 3840X2160 pixels. The movie industry standard is 4096x2160 pixels.

Ultimately, the 4K video’s resolution depends on its aspect ratio, as slight variations occur with either of the most commonly used aspect ratios for 4K videos. This, however, doesn’t affect the image quality.

2. How to play a 4K video on a PC?

You must install a media player that enables you to watch 4K videos on your PC in order to view 4K content. So, once you’ve installed a media player that can play 4K videos, you just have to open the video file with the media player of your choice.

In addition, you are going to need a 4K display to view the video in full resolution because HD or Full HD displays can’t play 4K footage in full detail.

3. Do you need a special media player for 4K videos?

At the moment, Windows and macOS don’t have a built-in media player that can play 4K videos. However, this is no cause for alarm because there are numerous media players you can install on either of these operating systems for free.

VLC or 5KPlayer are just a few options you will have at your disposal, but you should also keep in mind that you have to install appropriate codecs on your computer if you want to use it to watch 4K videos.

4. What is the difference between 1080p and 4K videos?

The total amount of pixels a 1080p and 4K video contains is not the same. Consequently, the amount of details a 4K video can depict is much more significant than on 1080p videos. That is also the reason why 4K video files are much larger than Full HD video files that contain significantly fewer pixels.

However, it is nearly impossible to spot a difference between a 1080p video and 4K video from afar, but as you zoom in, you will notice that pixelization occurs at different zoom levels.

5. Is the 4K video available on YouTube?

Yes, it is. YouTube has offered support for 4K videos since 2010, and you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding 4K content on this video hosting platform. In case you would like to upload a 4K video to your YouTube channel, you should arm yourself with patience since the duration of this process depends on the size of the file you’re trying to upload.