VLC Media Player: when to install it, and when not to
A player that opens almost any media file without asking you to install a codec pack. On a fresh machine it removes a whole category of first-week…
The short version
VLC Media Player: Plays the file Windows Media Player refuses to. No codec hunting, no third-party packs, no ads. It also handles DVD, network streams and screen capture, which is more than you will ever need.
| Licence / price | Free · Open source |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Category | Media, Recording & Capture — 10 programs |
| Official download | https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ ↗ |
What it is for
A player that opens almost any media file without asking you to install a codec pack. On a fresh machine it removes a whole category of first-week problems, and it does so without an account or a store.
When to pick something else
The interface is utilitarian and the library features are basic. If you want a configurable, keyboard-driven player, mpv is the better fit; if you are building a managed media library, neither is the right tool.
What independent reviewers found
We do not run lab tests or benchmarks. These summaries are written in our own words, with the publisher named and the original linked. Our citation policy explains what we will and will not reproduce.
TechRadar — 2025
What the source says. TechRadar names VLC its best open-source media player, citing broad format support and good behaviour on older hardware, while listing a complex menu system as the drawback.
What we take from it. Broad format support is exactly why this replaces a pile of codec packs. The menu complaint is real but mostly matters on first setup; the defaults are fine.
Best open source software of 2025 ↗ (TechRadar · 2025 · Editorial product roundup)
How it compares in Media, Recording & Capture
These are the alternatives we would consider for the same job. The notes are the same ones used on the main list, so there is no separate ranking hiding on this page.
| Program | Licence / price | Platforms | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|---|---|
| mpv Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | For people who care about video quality: precise scaling, smooth playback of 4K and high frame rate files, and keyboard control of everything. There is no settings window, which is the point and also the problem. |
| HandBrake Publisher's site ↗ | Free · Open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | Shrinks video files to a fraction of their size with no visible quality loss, and converts almost anything to MP4. Use the presets until you have a reason not to. |
Practical notes
- Keep it updated. Media parsers process complex untrusted input, so an abandoned player becomes a security problem.
- Use it to check a file before you try to edit or convert it; that separates a bad source from a bad editor setting.
Questions people ask
Do I need a codec pack as well?
No. Installing one to fix a single file changes system-wide components and is a common route for unwanted extras.
Where it appears in our guides
- Setting up a new Windows PC: the order that actually works
- When free software is enough, and when it is not
- Why we link to publishers, and how to check a download yourself
See the full Media, Recording & Capture explainer for the other 9 programs in this category.
How to read this page. How to read this page. Platform, licence and publisher details come from our directory data. Where an independent review, audit or survey is mentioned, it is summarised in our own words with the source named and linked; our /sources page sets out that policy. The recommendation, the trade-offs and every 'skip it if' line are our editorial judgement. We do not run benchmarks, publish measured performance figures or host installers, and every download link goes to the publisher's own site. If a detail is out of date, our About page explains how to tell us.