There are many video players available for Windows, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Here are a few popular video players that are considered to be among the best for Windows:
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1. Windows 11 Media Player
Windows 11 does not have a standalone media player application, like Windows Media Player. Instead, it uses apps from the Microsoft Store to play different types of media, such as videos and music. For example, the Movies & TV app can be used to play videos, and the Spotify app can be used to play music.
Users can also download third-party media player apps from the Microsoft Store. These apps can be used to play a wide range of media formats, including MKV, MP3, MP4, AVI, and more.
2. VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source, cross-platform media player and streaming media server. It is developed by the VideoLAN project and is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and other platforms. VLC Media Player can play a wide range of video and audio formats, including MPEG, DivX, H.264, MKV, WebM, WMV, MP3, and FLAC, without the need for additional codecs.
It also has a built-in equalizer, playlist support, and can be used as a streaming server. Additionally, it has a wide range of features such as subtitles support, video filters, and the ability to play damaged or incomplete media files.
3. PotPlayer
PotPlayer is a free and lightweight media player developed by South Korean Internet company Kakao. It is available for Windows and is known for its ability to play a wide range of video and audio formats without the need for additional codecs. Some of the key features of PotPlayer include support for 3D, 4K and UHD videos, a built-in equalizer, and the ability to customize the user interface with skins.
Additionally, it has advanced playback options such as support for different video renderers, the ability to adjust video settings on the fly, and support for various video and audio filters.
PotPlayer also supports various subtitles formats, playback of damaged or incomplete media files and can also play media files from various sources like DVD, Blu-ray, and TV capture cards.
4. GOM Player
GOM Player is a free and popular media player developed by the South Korean company GOM & Company. It is available for Windows and is known for its ability to play a wide range of video and audio formats without the need for additional codecs. Some of its key features include support for 360-degree videos, a built-in equalizer, and the ability to customize the user interface with skins.
Additionally, it has advanced playback options such as support for different video renderers, the ability to adjust video settings on the fly, and support for various video and audio filters.
GOM Player also supports various subtitles formats, playback of damaged or incomplete media files and can also play media files from various sources like DVD and TV capture cards. It also has a built-in screen recording feature, that allows users to record their computer screen, audio, and microphone.
5. 5KPlayer
5KPlayer is a free, high-definition (HD) media player for Windows and macOS. It is developed by DearMob, Inc. and is known for its ability to play a wide range of video and audio formats, including 4K and 5K resolution videos.
Some of the key features of 5KPlayer include support for hardware acceleration, a built-in equalizer, and the ability to download and play videos from YouTube and other video sharing websites. Additionally, it has advanced playback options such as support for different video renderers, the ability to adjust video settings on the fly, and support for various video and audio filters.
5KPlayer also supports various subtitles formats, playback of damaged or incomplete media files and can also play media files from various sources like DVD and TV capture cards. It also has a built-in AirPlay receiver, which allows users to stream videos, music, and photos from iOS devices to their computer.
6. MPV Player
MPV Player is a free, open-source, and cross-platform media player. It is based on the MPlayer and mplayer2 projects and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. MPV Player is known for its minimalistic and customizable interface, as well as its ability to play a wide range of video and audio formats without the need for additional codecs.
Some of its key features include support for hardware acceleration, a built-in equalizer, and the ability to customize the user interface with Lua scripts. Additionally, it has advanced playback options such as support for different video renderers, the ability to adjust video settings on the fly, and support for various video and audio filters.
MPV Player also supports various subtitles formats, playback of damaged or incomplete media files and can also play media files from various sources like DVD and TV capture cards. It also has a built-in support for YouTube and other video sharing websites. It’s command line interface and configurability make it a popular choice among power users and developers.
7. DivX Player
DivX Player is a free media player developed by DivX, LLC. It is available for Windows and macOS and is known for its ability to play a wide range of video formats, including the popular DivX and AVI formats. Some of the key features of DivX Player include support for high-definition (HD) videos, a built-in equalizer, and the ability to customize the user interface with skins.
Additionally, it has advanced playback options such as support for different video renderers, the ability to adjust video settings on the fly, and support for various video and audio filters. DivX Player also supports various subtitles formats, playback of damaged or incomplete media files and can also play media files from various sources like DVD and TV capture cards.
It also has a built-in support for streaming videos from popular platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, DivX Player also has a Pro version that offers additional features such as the ability to play and create DivX, AVI, MKV, and MP4 videos with advanced features like multiple audio tracks and subtitles, and the ability to convert and play videos on mobile devices and TVs.
8. PowerDVD
PowerDVD is a commercial media player developed by CyberLink. It is available for Windows and macOS, and is known for its ability to play a wide range of video and audio formats, including Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K/8K Ultra HD videos. Some of the key features of PowerDVD include support for 360-degree videos, virtual reality (VR) playback, a built-in equalizer, and the ability to customize the user interface with skins.
Additionally, it has advanced playback options such as support for different video renderers, the ability to adjust video settings on the fly, and support for various video and audio filters. PowerDVD also supports various subtitles formats, playback of damaged or incomplete media files, and can also play media files from various sources like DVD, Blu-ray and TV capture cards. It also has a built-in support for streaming videos from popular platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.
Additionally, PowerDVD also has a feature called TrueTheater which enhances the video and audio quality of the playback, providing a better viewing experience. PowerDVD also includes a unique feature called Cinema Mode which allows users to watch movies with a more immersive and cinematic experience.
9. MediaMonkey
MediaMonkey is a free and commercial media player and media library application developed by Ventis Media, Inc. It is available for Windows and is known for its ability to organize and play a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, OGG, WMA, and FLAC. Some of the key features of MediaMonkey include support for playback of multiple audio formats, a built-in equalizer, and the ability to customize the user interface with skins.
Additionally, it has advanced playback options such as support for different audio renderers, the ability to adjust audio settings on the fly, and support for various audio filters. MediaMonkey also has a built-in media library that allows users to organize, tag, and browse their audio files by artist, album, genre, and more.
It also has a built-in feature that allows users to burn audio CDs, and also has a feature that allows users to sync music with mobile devices and other media players. The Gold version has more advanced features such as, auto-tagging, lyrics, and support for more audio formats.
10. Kodi Player
Kodi (formerly XBMC) is a free and open-source media player and entertainment hub software developed by the XBMC Foundation. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and other platforms. Kodi is known for its ability to organize and play a wide range of media formats, including videos, music, and pictures, and also has the ability to stream content from the internet.
Some of the key features of Kodi include a customizable and user-friendly interface, support for multiple languages, and the ability to play a wide range of media formats, including 4K and 8K videos. Additionally, it has advanced playback options such as support for different video renderers, the ability to adjust video settings on the fly, and support for various video and audio filters.
Kodi also supports various subtitles formats and can also play media files from various sources like DVD, Blu-ray, and TV capture cards. It also has a built-in support for streaming videos from popular platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video.
Kodi also has a wide range of add-ons, which are additional software that can be installed to Kodi to add new features and functionalities. Some of the popular add-ons include live TV, music streaming, and video on demand.
