Best Video Players — 2026

A good video player should play anything you throw at it without fuss. Here are the best free options for Windows.

4 tools tested/Updated March 2026/How we rank →
#1
🦺
4.9 A+
✓ Free ⚠ Interface is dated
Plays everything

VLC Media Player

Plays Everything

  • ✓ Plays virtually every video format
  • ✓ Open source and free
  • ✓ No codecs needed
  • ✓ Network streaming support
  • ⚠ Interface is dated
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#2
▶️
4.5 A
✓ Free ⚠ Original project discontinued (community fork active)
Most lightweight

MPC-HC

Lightweight Alternative

  • ✓ Extremely lightweight
  • ✓ Clean minimal interface
  • ✓ Excellent subtitle support
  • ⚠ Original project discontinued (community fork active)
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#3
🎬
4.4 B+
✓ Free ⚠ Closed source⚠ More complex to configure
Most customizable

PotPlayer

Feature-Rich Player

  • ✓ Highly customizable
  • ✓ Built-in codec pack
  • ✓ Excellent hardware acceleration
  • ⚠ Closed source
  • ⚠ More complex to configure
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#4
🪟
3.2 C+
✓ Free ⚠ Limited format support⚠ Rarely updated
Built into Windows

Windows Media Player

Built-In Windows Player

  • ✓ No installation needed
  • ✓ Familiar to Windows users
  • ⚠ Limited format support
  • ⚠ Rarely updated
  • ⚠ No subtitle support