Top 6 VLC Media Player Alternatives for Desktop/Mobile/Online

VLC Media Player is the leading multimedia player with powerful features and a worldwide fan following. It can play almost any video and audio files and even stream web content. Its robust features are well-regarded by users everywhere. However, it has its limitations too. Dated UI, complex navigation, limited Blu-ray playback support, etc., often push some users away from it, but the majority still like its excellent features and performance. If you're looking for another tool that's as feature-rich and powerful as VLC but without the drawbacks, we've created this list just for you.

Part 1: Overview of VLC Media Player

When it comes to versatile and reliable media playback, VLC Media Player has long been a household name. Developed by the non-profit organization VideoLAN, VLC is a free, open-source multimedia player that supports virtually every audio and video format you can throw at it, without the need for additional codecs. Whether you're a casual user watching movies or a power user managing complex media files, VLC's cross-platform compatibility, lightweight design, and powerful feature set make it a go-to solution for millions around the world. Next, we'll dive into its key features, pros and cons, and who it's best suited for.

Key Features of VLC Media Player

• Universal Format Compatibility: VLC supports virtually all audio and video formats, including MP4, MKV, AVI, FLAC, MP3, and many more-without the need to install third-party codecs. Whether you're playing a standard movie file or a rare format, VLC handles it effortlessly out of the box.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and even Raspberry Pi, VLC offers a consistent user experience across all major operating systems. This makes it a reliable media player no matter what device you're using.
• Advanced Playback Controls: It provides detailed control over media playback, allowing users to adjust speed, skip frame by frame, loop specific sections, and sync subtitles or audio tracks. These features are especially useful for students, content reviewers, and video editors.
• Streaming and Network Capabilities: Beyond local media playback, VLC supports network streaming via URLs, IPTV, and media server protocols. It also includes a built-in converter that allows users to transcode files into different formats for sharing or editing.
• Customization and Plugins: It is fully customizable through downloadable skins, plugins, and even command-line parameters. This makes it ideal for power users who want to tailor the software to their specific workflow or aesthetic preferences.
• Lightweight and No Ads: It is 100% free, open-source, and free from ads or bloatware. It runs smoothly on low-spec devices and is maintained by a dedicated global community of developers, ensuring it stays secure and up to date.

Pros and Cons of Using VLC Player

Here's a quick summary of what VLC Media Player does well-and where it may fall short.

Part 2: 6 Alternatives for VLC media player on PC and Mobile

1. HitPaw Univd: Best VLC Alternative for Windows and Mac

HitPaw Univd is the most comprehensive multimedia tool available. It can play, compress, convert, and edit videos, besides other types of files. Its features dwarf those of VLC in comparison. Univd's extreme focus on customization gives users complete control over their playback experience, too. In short, HitPaw Univd is everything VLC users love and more.

• With support for 1000+ formats, Univd can play anyaudio and video format.
• Effortlessly upscale low-quality videosto 4k in one click.
• Support delete and add subtitles to video with simple clicks.
• With Univd, you never have to worry about ads, malware, or plugins.
• Univd's intuitive interface makes it easy to use for anyone, even beginners.
• Built-in media converter, media compressor, media editor, and AI tools.

Compatibility: Windows and macOS.

2. 5KPlayer: VLC Alternative on Windows

5KPlayer is a free VLC media player alternative with robust playback features. It features built-in screen recording, playback speed control, subtitle support, and rich streaming capabilities. With AirPlay and DLNA features baked into it, 5KPlayer is one of the most modern media players out there. If its wide video format support doesn't impress you, its YouTube video downloader feature definitely should. Although it lacks some degree of customization that users have grown accustomed to on other players, 5KPlayer more than makes up for this shortcoming with a robust set of features.

Compatibility: Windows and macOS.

3. Kodi: VLC Alternative for all Devices

Kodi is a free and open-source media center that organizes all your media content under a single umbrella. Its vast support for video file formats and streaming services makes it the one-stop shop for anything related to media. It can play video files on your devices or integrate into streaming services and play content on them seamlessly using plugins. Thanks to its thriving ecosystem of plugins and skins, Kodi is quite possibly the most customizable VLC media player alternative in existence.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi

4. PotPlayer: VLC Player for Windows Alternative

PotPlayer is another powerful media player with impressive customizations. It natively supports a wide variety of video file formats, so it doesn't require any codec installation for playback. PotPlayer is built and optimized for high performance. Its efficient utilization of hardware acceleration translates into smooth playback, even on old or low-end devices. When performance and customizations are the priorities, PotPlayer leads the competition.

Compatibility: Windows

5. Plex: VLC Alternative for MacOS

At its core, Plex is a media server with an emphasis on streaming your personal library of movies and videos. Its brilliant organization lets you collect media and stream them across devices. That said, Plex also has its native library of ad-supported movies and TV shows. In essence, Plex is designed for streaming your personal media collection on any device you like. However, it can still play videos available locally on your devices.

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker, NAS Devices, and others.

6. GOM Player: Alternative to VLC Android

GOM Player is a high-functioning media player with some peculiar features. It has built a strong reputation for itself as a player with the capabilities to play incomplete and corrupted media files. Additionally, the built-in codec finder automatically finds the codec necessary to play any video you throw at it, downloads it, installs it, and plays the video. Besides wide format support, GOM Player also plays 360° VR videos. While it's loaded with features, they make it feel bloated on occasions, but it performs pretty well. That's is when its ads are not interfering with your experience.

Compatibility: Windows, Android, and iOS

Part 3: How to Play and Convert Video in HitPaw Univd

• Step 1:Launch and Import Videos

Launch HitPaw Univd >> Go to the 'Converter' module >> Drag and drop videos directly into the tool, or use the 'Add Files' button to select and import them.


• Step 2: Play the Video

Right click on a video thumbnail from the imported list >> Click 'Play.'


• Step 3: Control Video Playback

Use settings to control volume, subtitles, playback, and more.


• Step 4: Convert Video to Other Formats

If you need to convert video to other formats for compatible with another devices or platforms. You can click the "Convert all to" button and choose output a video format under the 'Video' tab >> Choose output quality settings from preset options or click on the 'pen' icon to customize output quality.


• Step 5:Video Conversion Process

Once you finish the setting adjustment, click 'Convert' or 'Convert all' to start converting the video to any format you need.

FAQs on VLC Alternatives

Conclusion

While VLC remains a favorite for many, it isn't the only option-and certainly not always the best fit for everyone. Some people want a player that's easier to use, looks better, or works faster. Luckily, there are apps similar to VLC. Some of them, like HitPaw Univd, offer more features, superior performance, and advanced capabilities that elevate your video skills. Univd's got everything you need for handling videos. It plays, edits, compresses, converts, and does a lot more. Check it out today.