16 Best Free Video Players [2025]

There are a lot of video players available. Finding the best video player doesn’t have to be a task, because we’ve accumulated a list of the easiest ones, together with some helpful advice on how they work and how you can convert your files to further compatibility. Check out our expert review and choose the one you think is best for your needs. 

KMPlayer is a video player that is available for Windows, macOS X, Android, and iOS. Released in 2016, KMPlayer serves users in over 150 countries. KMPlayer has a bevy of features for users, including the ability to watch videos in high resolution, video and screen capture options, internal codecs, and support in over 24 languages. Ultimately, users can control all aspects of video, sound, and subtitles. KMPlayer’s mobile application allows for similar features, including playbook speed control and the ability to watch videos through an easy encoding process.

PotPlayer is a comparatively recent addition to the media players’ family. Also developed by a South Korean company (Kakao), the player is extremely light-weight, allows you to fix some problems of the video (for example, if the audio is not properly synchronized with the video), and even gives you some video editing options. PotPlayer supports more file formats than many other players previously mentioned in this list, which makes it a great alternative to any of them.

Media Player Classic (also known as MPC-HC) is an open-source MP4 player. MPC-HC is most known for its lightweight nature. It’s small enough to be used even on old and weak laptops. It claims that users can watch movies on any SSE2 CPU. MPC-HC also offers a fairly comprehensive frequently asked questions page to answer most questions about using this MP4 player. That said, there are some downfalls – most notably, that MPC-HC is only available on Windows devices. Also, although the app is still downloadable, the support for the player has stopped in 2017.

One of the most famous playback software out there, Windows Media Player was developed by Microsoft decades ago. It remains a classic choice for people looking to store, organize, and view media, including audio, photos, and videos. Various file types are supported, including M4A files. Additional features include the ability to organize your audio files into playlists, transfer files to external storage (including CDs or portable music players), and stream your files in high quality.

MediaMonkey claims to be for “serious collectors.” Even casual collectors could benefit from the program’s features, which include a powerful media organization and management tools. The software can perform many organizational tasks automatically, such as identifying missing data, renaming files, deleting duplicate files, creating playlists, and more. You can also use MediaMonkey to convert your files into other formats, including to and from M4A.

Boasting the ability to play every single file format out there, Elmedia Player is a great option for your video needs. It has several settings that you can adjust for viewing preferences, and is compatible with streaming to Chromecast and DLNA devices too. 

It has a built-in screenshot application that allows you to capture freeze frames of your videos and save them on your device. With tons of playback options, audio equalizers, and layout adjustments, there isn’t much room for criticism. Elmedia player is hailed as one of the best video players for a Mac due to its extensive compatibility with macOS. 

You can download the free version online and upgrade later if you want to enjoy all of its features. While the free version is comprehensive, we’d suggest going for the premium as an investment for all of your video viewing. The interface is attractive, the settings are extensive, and the playback quality is only limited to the file you’re trying to view.

VLC has been around for a long time, and it’s a video player that has kept up to date with its technology. Whether your operating system is older or brand new, VLC allows you to view most video files without any hassle by auto converting them. For files that are not compatible with VLC, you may want to consider converting them manually to a format that VLC can play.

You’ll also be able to play CDs and DVDs using this media player, since replicated discs are coded for compatibility to VLC. While it functions well on different devices, it does lack some visual appeal by not offering layout customization. Whether or not the developers will add a layout toolbar in the future is uncertain, but history proves that they are constantly working to improve this media player with time. 

With its eleventh version just released, DivX gives you a player and a library of video & audio files all in one. With its centralized platform to easily manage your media, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better video player for Mac OS X, or older Mac devices. DivX also lets you view the ever-advancing 360-degree video format for a virtual reality experience that’s high quality. 

Many of its features were unavailable to free users due to the premium version being priced on the higher side, but their prices have lowered since, making all features available at a reasonable cost. Choose DivX if you want a media player that’s intuitive enough to convert your files to the best format every time you open them. 

With a focus on the interface, IINA has developed (and redeveloped) their media player software specially for modern Mac devices, keeping desirable features and adding new ones. It has a dedicated audio setting called “Music-Mode” for those who want to listen to their music files, with an easy switch back to video viewing. 

IINA also offers several plug-in features that can be purchased separately to customize the software and add even more features. The user interface is completely customizable, so you’ll have a media player that can look totally different to everyone else’s!

If you’re looking for a video player that comes with a bunch of other features, then opt for Cisdem Video Player. Cisdem has developed an array of customizing features that are worth mentioning. But let’s stick to the video tools, of which Cisdem offers many. 

This software gives you the ability to burn your own CDs and DVDs with ease, allowing you to create your own discs for the car or mobile disc player. It’s also an automatic video converter, prompting you on changing file formats to suit your onboard player. As a regular video player, Cisdem has a nice interface which can be customized to your liking. 

Another media player that claims to play every single file format available is OmniPlayer. It’s one of the nicest interfaces you’ll see too, with several customizable features that make watching your videos a pleasure. Since it’s free, this media player is a popular choice users who just want a good media player that plays all video formats without all the frills and fuss.

OmniPlayer also has a nifty little feature that allows you to watch multiple videos at the same time, arranging their respective windows anywhere on the screen. One of its prominent features is its elaborate subtitle downloading ability, giving you the freedom to watch without audio, or switch to a different language.

For those who are looking for a more lightweight media player, JustPlay offers quick and seamless playback. It auto plays just about any video file format, with a few exceptions that you’ll probably never come across. One of its key features is its ability to play up to 8K video quality, whereas most media players are capped at 4K or 5K. 

Unfortunately, it lacks in its ability to play Blu-ray, but it will struggle through when necessary. JustPlay is a good option as an all-rounder, since you’ll probably never find the need to use a different media player unless you’re into fancy features. There are no plugins needed, and the software is affordable to download at only $5 from the app store. 

Many Mac video players assume that you’re trying to watch newer video formats, not considering that old, forgotten file from years back. QuickTime Player is still compatible with older video formats, allowing you to watch those videos you stored way back when. 

QuickTime Player comes pre-installed on most Mac devices, so you probably have already used this player to view videos on your device, whether you’re aware of it or not. It’s got the basics you need to watch many video file formats, but you may need to upgrade to one of the others on this list in order to watch others that are not compatible with QuickTime Player.

With its ability to stream AirPlay, 5KPlayer is a keen choice for video lovers. It plays a variety of video and audio formats with ease, and comes with a few additional features that have become pretty basic for other video players. YouTube lovers will also find its compatibility with streaming a joy, and HD videos will be no problem for this media player either. 

It also has the ability to help you organize your music and video files into a library for easy access. You can also convert file formats permanently with its built-in video converter, although this is a limited function that doesn’t apply to every single video format out there. One nice feature is its ability to record your screen, which is an extra feature that will appeal to many.

One of the most aesthetically pleasing video players we’ve seen is Movist, which comes with so many customizable features, it would be a shame not to mention it. It’s got a whole lot of convenience-driven benefits such as a quick-access control panel, a thumbnail seeker, and a layout customizer.

Mac users will love Movist’s ability to drag URLs directly from their browsers into the application to watch videos directly off the platform. This is great for YouTube fans, but also works for any other video streaming site. The only downside to this application is that the more you want it, the more you’ll have to come to terms with paying the $7.99 pro version fee to enjoy all of its features. Fortunately, this payment is once off. 

Another nice looking interface is offered by GOM Player, a media player that’s easy to use and pleasing to the eyes. You can switch between full screen video or utilize the window box with all of its toolbar features. This is another media player that supports 360-degree video formats, as well as HD videos. 

A boasted feature that isn’t shared by other media players is its ability for you to choose a section of your video and repeat it over and over at any desired interval. For those who are trying to play file formats that aren’t supported by your default media player, GOM Player is compatible with over 100 formats types, so chances are you’ll be able to play the one you want using this software.

If you’re having trouble with file formats, you could always opt for a video converter that makes them compatible with any of the players we’ve listed above. Movavi Video Converter is an intuitive video-converting program that takes any file and changes the format to what you want it to be. By having this on your device, you’ll always have a backup in case you come across a file that isn’t compatible with your on-device player.

With so many great options to choose from, you’ll be viewing your videos seamlessly. Whether you go for an extensive media player that comes with dozens of customizable features, or a simple one that auto-formats your files every time you open them, be sure to pick from our list for superior results.