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About VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free, open-source multimedia player from the VideoLAN project. It plays almost every video and audio file, DVDs, audio CDs, VCDs and network streams without installing extra codec packs.

What VLC can do:

  • Play nearly every format, including MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, FLV, WebM, MP3, FLAC, AAC and OGG
  • Play DVDs, audio CDs, VCDs and network streams (HTTP, RTSP, UDP and more)
  • Built-in codecs – no separate codec packs needed
  • Subtitles support, with subtitle synchronisation and styling
  • Hardware-accelerated decoding for smooth playback of high-resolution video
  • Basic video and audio filters, equalizer and playback-speed control
  • Convert and record media, and stream to the network
  • Skins and extensions to customise the player

VLC is completely free, with no ads, no spyware and no user tracking, and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

Key features

Plays almost everythingMP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WebM, MP3, FLAC and more
No codec packsAll codecs are built in
Discs and streamsDVDs, audio CDs, VCDs and network streams
SubtitlesLoad, sync and style subtitle files
Hardware decodingSmooth playback of high-resolution video
Convert and streamConvert, record and stream media
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License and price

License type
Free · open source

System requirements

Operating system
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Good and keep in mind

Good

  • Plays almost any file without extra codecs
  • Completely free, no ads or tracking
  • Available on every major platform

Keep in mind

  • Interface looks plain compared with some modern players
  • Advanced settings can be confusing for beginners

Frequently asked questions

Is VLC Media Player free?
Yes. VLC is completely free and open source, with no ads, no spyware and no user tracking.
What formats can VLC play?
VLC plays almost every video and audio format, including MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, FLV, WebM, MP3, FLAC and AAC, plus DVDs and network streams.
Do I need to install codecs for VLC?
No. VLC has its codecs built in, so it plays most files without installing any extra codec packs.
What operating systems does VLC support?
VLC runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
Where can I download VLC safely?
Download it from the official VideoLAN website using the link on this page. Avoid unofficial download sites that bundle extra software.

Other free alternatives to Adobe Flash Player (discontinued)

RufflePlaying old Flash (SWF) games and animations · Windows, macOS, Linux, web browsersFree, open sourceHandBrakeConverting Flash videos to MP4 · Windows, macOS, LinuxFree, open source
GUIDEBest Free Alternatives to Adobe Flash PlayerAdobe Flash Player ended in 2020. Use these free alternatives to play old Flash (SWF) games and animations, watch FLV videos and convert them to MP4 \u2013 safely.