MPC-HC vs VLC: Which is the Better Free Video Player

MPC-HC and VLC are two of the most popular media players in the world, boasting a passionate fan base that appears to be growing with time. As free and open-source tools, both MPC-HC and VLC have established themselves as the default media players on millions of devices worldwide. But which is the right choice for you? Are there any crucial differences between the two? Do they matter? These and many other questions will be tackled in our detailed comparison post. In the end, we'll help you figure out which of these tools best meets your needs.

Part 1. MPC-HC vs VLC: Direct Comparison

1. MPC vs. VLC: User Interface

MPC-HC borrows its interface design from the older versions of Windows Media Player. Windows users will find MPC-HC to be quite familiar and easy to use. Its minimalist, no-frills approach to UI is one of the highlights of this tool. It makes using MPC-HC delightfully easy.

In contrast, VLC's UI is optimized to make it easy for users to access its extensive features. The UI is more modern but quite intuitive. Sometimes, the UI may feel cluttered due to the abundance of features, but it remains quite user-friendly.

2. VLC vs. MPC: Supported Formats

When it comes to video and audio format support, both MPC-HC and VLC are excellent choices. Whereas VLC has broad format support, MPC-HC's limited default format support can be easily overcome with the installation of third-party codecs and plugins. However, this may confuse some MPC-HC users, especially those unfamiliar with plugins and codec installation. So, for ease of use, VLC could be a better choice.

3. MPC vs. VLC: Performance

Although MPC-HC has been regularly updated and upgraded with features since its fork from MPC, it isn't the most modern media player out there. In fact, it retains much of its design, features, and performance from the old Windows era. It's lightweight and works smoothly on all devices, including those with lower specifications. However, it struggles with heavy and modern 4K videos.

However, VLC is designed to be a high-performance media player. Thanks to hardware acceleration, VLC can perform exceptionally well, even when handling large 4K videos. That said, it can exhibit performance issues on low-end devices because VLC is essentially a resource-heavy app.

4. MPC vs. VLC: Advanced Features

VLC's breadth of features towers over that of MPC-HC. Advanced subtitle support, robust streaming support, built-in transcoding, a highly customizable UI, and a thriving plugin ecosystem make VLC the favorite of power users who enjoy extracting maximum utility from a media player.

While MPC-HC does a good job with playback and customizability, it lacks the same breadth of features. Subtitle support, for instance, is limited to basic styling. There's no streaming support or transcoding available.

5. Compatibility of MPC and VLC

MPC-HC was originally designed for Windows systems, and it has never outgrown it. On the other hand, VLC is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and other platforms. If you're looking for a universal media player that works on any device, VLC is it.

6. MPC and VLC: Best For

It's evident from the comparison that VLC is a powerhouse of a media player, best suited for high performance on capable devices. It is a user-friendly and feature-rich tool that users value for its extensive features. However, if you're looking for a lightweight and highly customizable media player, MPC-HC is probably a better choice. It's minimalist but requires some learning to get familiar with the tool. Nevertheless, it performs predictably well on most devices.

Part 2. Comparison Between VLC and MPC-HC

Part 3. Best Video Player and Converter on Desktop

Although VLC features built-in media transcoding features, it's not a full-fledged media converter tool. Therefore, it offers limited conversion features. That's why professionals and enthusiasts use HitPaw Univd.

HitPaw Univd is a powerful media converter and player for Windows and Mac devices. It features playback support for various video and audio files and lets users convert them into any other format. Univd comes with a free trial, and you can unlock its premium features with a one-time purchase. With HitPaw Univd, you can play all video and audio files with ease. Also, it has a built-in editor and some advanced AI features, including Noise Remover, Speech to Text, Video Enhancer, Vocal Remover, etc.

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• Univd converts media files from one format to another without losing original quality.
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FAQs on VLC vs MPC-HC

Conclusion

VLC vs MPC-HC each offer strong advantages, but they serve slightly different user needs. VLC remains the go-to choice for users seeking a feature-rich, cross-platform solution with broad format support and streaming capabilities. Meanwhile, MPC-HC stands out as the lightweight option for Windows users who prioritize speed and minimal resource usage. For full-fledged video and audio conversion needs, choose HitPaw Univd. It is lightweight but powerful and gives users complete control over the quality of their output. Give it a try today.