VLC Media Player
Play any media format anywhere
A legendary media player that plays virtually any video and audio format without additional codecs. Whether on desktop or mobile, it handles everything locally without requiring an internet connection.
What we love ❤️
- Plays all media formats without converting or extra codecs
- Completely free and open source since 2001
- Available across all platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS)
- Works offline with no ads or tracking
- Powerful features like subtitle support and network streaming
Worth noting 💡
- Interface might feel dated compared to modern players
- Some advanced features require digging through menus
- Mobile gesture controls take time to get used to
- Heavy files might drain mobile battery faster
VLC has been the Swiss Army knife of media players for over two decades. While other players have come and gone, or evolved into bloated services, VLC stays true to its original mission: play everything, respect user privacy, and keep things local. It's a perfect example of how focusing on core functionality never goes out of style.