PotPlayer is a free media player for Windows, developed by the South Korean company Kakao, which took over the player from its original developer, Daum. It plays an unusually wide range of video and audio formats without needing separate codec packs, and adds features like hardware-accelerated decoding, deep subtitle support, and built-in screen recording.
Why PotPlayer Plays Almost Anything Without Extra Codecs
Many media players rely on the operating system's installed codecs, which can leave certain formats unplayable without a separate codec pack. PotPlayer instead bundles a very large set of built-in decoders, so formats like MKV, HEVC and AV1 typically play right out of the box, and its hardware acceleration options let modern GPUs handle decoding for smoother playback of demanding video.
PotPlayer Features
- Wide Built-In Format Support — plays hundreds of video and audio formats without needing extra codec packs
- Hardware-Accelerated Decoding — offloads video decoding to the GPU for smoother playback and lower CPU use
- Extensive Subtitle Engine — supports many subtitle formats with detailed styling and sync controls
- 3D and 360-Degree Video Playback — supports specialized video formats beyond standard flat video
- Screen Capture and Recording — capture screenshots or record video/audio directly from the player
- Customizable Skins and Interface — change the player's look and rearrange controls
- Audio and Video Filters — built-in equalizer and video enhancement filters
- Playlist Management — organize and queue media files for continuous playback
How to Install PotPlayer on Windows
- Open the official download page using the button on this page, which goes to PotPlayer's official site.
- Download the PotPlayer installer for Windows.
- Run the installer and follow the setup wizard, choosing 32-bit or 64-bit as appropriate.
- Launch PotPlayer and choose whether to set it as your default media player.
- Open a video file and adjust subtitle, audio and hardware-acceleration settings as needed.
Is PotPlayer really free?
Free. PotPlayer is free to download and use, developed and maintained by Kakao Corp.
How to download PotPlayer safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for potplayer.tv — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering PotPlayer. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to PotPlayer
Other free media players software worth comparing before you decide:
VLC Media Player
Free, open-source media player that plays nearly any format on any platform.
MPC-HC
Lightweight, open-source media player for Windows with wide codec support.
KMPlayer
Media player with broad codec support and built-in editing tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is PotPlayer free?
Yes, it is free to download and use.
Is PotPlayer available for Mac?
No, PotPlayer is built for Windows only.
Does PotPlayer support subtitles?
Yes, it has an extensive subtitle engine supporting many formats and styling options.
Can PotPlayer play 3D and 360-degree video?
Yes, both are supported.
Who develops PotPlayer?
Kakao Corp, a South Korean internet company.
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