VLC media player vs mpv

VLC media player: what it's good at

VLC is the universal media player: it plays essentially every audio and video format in existence with its codecs built in, so you never install a codec pack again. It also handles network streams, DVDs, incomplete downloads and basic conversion.

• Plays almost every audio and video format
• No external codecs required
• Streams network and online media
• Completely free with no ads or spyware

mpv: what it's good at

mpv is a deliberately minimal player with no visible interface clutter, offering excellent video output quality, GPU-accelerated rendering and extensive scripting. It is the enthusiast's choice for high-quality local playback.

• High-quality GPU video output
• Minimal, distraction-free interface
• Highly scriptable and configurable
• Excellent subtitle rendering

Which should you choose?

Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.

Both run on Windows, macOS, Linux. Only VLC media player supports Android, iOS. Both are open source, so neither locks you in.

We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is VLC media player better than mpv?

Neither is universally better. VLC media player plays virtually any media file, on any platform, with no codec packs, while mpv minimalist, keyboard-driven, very high quality video player. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.

Are both really free?

VLC media player is open source and mpv is open source. Both can be downloaded without paying.

Can I install both?

Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.