VLC Media Player — Media Players (Open Source)

VLC Media Player is an open-source Media Players solution from VideoLAN. Compare it against 7 other Media Players tools on FreeSoftwareX — by features, licensing and price — and request a quote or demo free in 2026.

What is VLC Media Player?

VLC Media Player is open source — its source code is publicly available and free to use, modify and self-host, usually with an active community and no licensing fees. It is categorised under Media Players and published by VideoLAN. Buyers typically evaluate VLC Media Player when they need a dependable Media Players option and want to weigh the trade-offs between free, open-source and paid tools before committing.

VLC Media Player alternatives

If VLC Media Player isn't the right fit, compare these Media Players alternatives side by side:

KodiMusicBeeSpotifyWinampWindows Media Playerfoobar2000mpv

Frequently asked questions

Is VLC Media Player free?
Yes. VLC Media Player is open source and free to use, with no purchase cost for the core product.
What are the best VLC Media Player alternatives?
Popular Media Players alternatives to VLC Media Player include Kodi, MusicBee, Spotify, Winamp. See the full list of Media Players on FreeSoftwareX.
What type of software is VLC Media Player?
VLC Media Player is an open-source Media Players tool developed by VideoLAN.

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