Best Alternatives for VLC Media Player: Top Picks in 2025

A media player is necessary for playing videos downloaded on your desktop. The built-in options have never been the solution for a smooth playback, which has led to the need for proper media players. Players like VLC Media Player came in, making movie-watching an experience. Many players came into competition, offering free services and multi-video format support.

This article discusses a complete list of alternatives for VLC media player options that you can use to enjoy several features. Therefore, read it and start exploring the different available choices without investing a penny.

Part 1. [Review] A Deeper Look Into VLC Media Player and Its Features

VLC Media Player is a renowned market player that provides free multimedia features and support for several video formats. While you can use it on Windows, Mac, and Linux devices as well, it became popular for its simple design and diverse features. While you can watch movies across VLC Media Player, there's a lot more that is possible within this player.

While you've understood what is VLC Player, another big reason for its popularity is that it has no advertisements. Regardless of being a lightweight software, it can be used to add subtitles permanently or temporarily.

Key Features of VLC Media Player

1. Features advanced playback controls, which include speed adjustments, A-B loop, frame-by-frame viewing, and audio-video synchronization tools.
2. The player is compatible with all desktop devices, including iOS and Android.
3. Even though it is an open-source media player, it does not track user data or collect any information, making it a secure service.
4. You can even repair AVI video files easily using its repairing abilities.

Filmora: Your Best Video Editor

• A variety of templates for easy video creation.
• Vast video/audio effects and creative assets.
• Powerful AI for effortless content creation.
• Intuitive, professional yet beginner-friendly.
• Works on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.

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Part 2. Top 7 VLC Media Player Alternatives That Are Worth Considering

As discussed, the VLC video player might not be a good option for beginners who are into simpler media players. Below, we mention some of its best alternatives that you can consider for smooth playback:

1. 5KPlayer

5KPlayer is a free Windows and Mac media player that provides smooth and high-resolution playback with an intuitive interface. Other than video playing, it is also filled with practical features, such as an in-built video converter and in-built screen recording. Videos are downloadable to more than 300 websites, clips are editable, and there is no need to install additional codecs because of the seamless playback.

Reliable Features of 5KPlayer

1. Rotate your video which was recorded in an incorrect orientation during playback.
2. Streaming to a larger display is simple with Apple AirPlay as it offers better views.
3. Save videos up to 1080p from downloadable websites and convert them into different formats.

2. KMPlayer

It is a VLC media player alternative that delivers smooth playback for virtually all video and audio formats. KMPlayer also includes several powerful tools, such as built-in support for high-resolution videos like 60 FPS. Additionally, users can create their custom playlists using the "MyList" section. You can benefit from the KMPlex rewards system and earn cryptocurrency tokens while watching media.

Top-Notch Features of KMPlayer

1. Connect your mobile and PC on the same Wi-Fi network and transfer files with a single click.
2. Access essential playback features instantly by using the customizable quick-access buttons.
3. Utilize the cloud-enhanced function to securely save your files.

3. GOM Player

In this alternative for VLC player, users can enjoy support for over 100 video and audio formats through built-in and external codecs. GOM Player offers immersive 360° VR playback, along with the ability to search the internet for videos. It has a clean and user-friendly interface that users can customize according to their needs. The player has a Korean vocalization feature that automatically provides romanized lyrics for Korean music videos.

Notable Features of GOM Player

1. Users can rotate the view in all directions and stream VR content directly online.
2. You can select your exact start and end points and play certain parts multiple times.
3. The tool's website is available in two other languages besides English.

4. SMPlayer

This best alternative to VLC is a free media player for Windows and Linux users. SMPlayer ensures that you don't need to install extra codec packs and supports most of the video formats. It is a reliable and feature-rich player that can run perfectly on your PC or laptop. Furthermore, it can play YouTube videos, and you can also search across the platform for easy navigation.

Highlighted Features of SMPlayer

1. The player can search for captions and download them using Open Subtitles.
2. It will remember the last position for each file and automatically resume from there.
3. With a local server connection, you can send videos to Chromecast using the Play menu.

5. RealPlayer

RealPlayer, another alternative of VLC Media Player, works smoothly both on Windows devices and mobile. It lets you download online videos with one click and back up files to its cloud storage. You can also keep your movies and music updated on all your devices and enjoy videos without an internet connection. If you want, play videos on your TV using Chromecast or Roku.

Prominent Features of RealPlayer

1. You can even save live streams for offline viewing.
2. In RealPlayer, you can convert CDs into digital files and burn new ones.
3. The tool can search and find the scenes containing the people you want.

6. Media Player Classic

Media Player Classic is a lightweight alternative for VLC player that operates all common audio and video formats without showing any ads. It runs smoothly across older CPUs with the support for SSE2 technology. It turns out best for Windows devices, with its straightforward and smooth playback. With similar file names, loading subtitles automatically is not a difficult process for Media Player Classic.

Key Features of Media Player Classic

1. Users can customize the toolbar according to their requirements.
2. It supports hardware acceleration for smooth video playback through DirectX Video.
3. The player will work as a TV player when you connect a compatible tuner.

7. PowerDVD

This premium media player for Windows has turned out to be a great VLC alternative that plays DVDs, Blu-rays, and opens photos. PowerDVD can organize your whole collection in one place and enable you to cast media to your mobile devices. You can also back up your collection online for convenience using the CyberLink Cloud services, which is the best alternative to VLC.

Top-Ranked Features of PowerDVD

1. PowerDVD supports over 10 languages, which makes it a top choice for many.
2. It contains professional-grade codecs so you can enjoy clearer sound.
3. You don't need to install extra software to play disc files when you have PowerDVD.

Part 3. Comparison Table of the VLC Media Player Alternatives

Let's have a look at the best alternative to VLC player list and their comparison with each other:

Part 4. Bonus Tip: How to Edit Your Videos With the Best Alternative to VLC

Even the best alternative to VLC player does not let you edit your videos. The conversion features the player offers are also basic, which is why you need a proper editing tool for refining your videos. There are many platforms available, but they do not offer the advanced features. Here is when you can use Wondershare Filmora, which also lets you generate accurate captions automatically.

The tool also enables you to trim different scenes from a lengthy video for uploading it on your social media through the smart short clips feature. Users can utilize AI to generate targeted stickers to add as a CTA in their videos. Filmora contains several royalty-free images and songs that you can add to your clips while editing.

Key Features of Filmora Desktop

1. The AI Video Enhancer offered in Filmora helps users make their clips clear with one click. The feature easily removes the grainy content and noise within the clips to make them professional-grade.
2. While the tools remove noise from videos, they also eliminate noise within the audio using their AI Audio Denoise feature.
3. The AI Face Mosaic feature offered in Filmora helps users blur their faces for privacy purposes. Unlike other video editors, Filmora has made privacy accessible and easier for beginners.
4. To make your transition insertion easy across different points in videos, you can add keyframes and ensure smoother video playbacks.
5. Create product reviews and show their different angles using multi-camera editing. The compound clipping feature in Filmora makes video editing convenient on a larger scale.

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Why Filmora App is a Good Choice

Users who want to edit their videos right from their phones can use the Filmora App [Android/iOS]. The tool also enables you to record your voice notes and then add them to your videos. With the Filmora App, users can change the complete outlook of their videos by applying different effects with a single click.

Key Features of the Filmora App

1. Users can extract audio from their clips before adding music to them. This helps them insert new music into their video content and make it unique.
2. Generate accurate captions through AI in different languages. While it creates unique captions, you can easily make significant edits to the created content and make it posting-friendly.
3. Remove the background and replace it with the available templates. Filmora App makes background replacement easy with its Smart Cutout feature across mobile devices.
4. Convert your clip into a specific aspect ratio without needing a third-party app. The exporting options provided in Filmora App are extensive, allowing users to export according to their choices.

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Conclusion

To summarize, the article has discussed a comprehensive list of alternatives for VLC player. The choice of the right player depends on the user; however, we've highlighted the best points for every player discussed. While selecting a player, if you ever come across the need to edit your videos, Wondershare Filmora is a renowned option for making precise changes.