Windows Media Player is a basic media player software that is included in the Windows operating system. It can play a variety of audio and video formats, but it may not be sufficient for users who have more advanced media playback needs. There could be several reasons why you need good video player software. Before I make a list of the best video players for Windows, let me first explore the reasons why need good third-party video player software.
More format support: Windows Media Player supports many popular formats, but it doesn’t support all formats. If you have a video file in a less common format, you may find that Windows Media Player cannot play it. A good video player software, on the other hand, will support a wider range of formats, including popular formats such as MP4, AVI, MKV, and more obscure formats like FLV, MOV, and RMVB. This means you won’t have to worry about finding and installing codec packs to play your video files.
Better Playback Quality: Windows Media Player is a basic media player, and does not provide the best playback quality. A good video player software, on the other hand, will provide superior playback quality, with features like support for hardware acceleration and high-quality upscaling. This means you’ll be able to enjoy your videos in high definition with smooth playback.
More advanced features: Windows Media Player is a simple media player that does not have many advanced features. A good video player software will offer more advanced features such as the ability to play 4K and 8K videos, support for subtitles, audio and video equalizers, video effects, and the ability to take screenshots or snapshots of your videos. This means you’ll be able to customize your playback experience and enjoy your videos in the way that you want.
Improved User Experience: A good video player software will have a better user interface and will be more intuitive to use than Windows Media Player. This means you’ll be able to navigate your video library more easily, and the software will provide you with more options for organizing and playing your videos. Some video player software also includes features like playlists and automatic playback of the next video, making it easier to watch multiple videos in a row.
Best Video Players for Windows
Here is a list of some of the best video players for Windows, along with their reviews, key features, and download links:
1. VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source multimedia player that is one of the most popular video players available. It can play almost all video and audio formats and has a simple and easy-to-use interface. The player is highly customizable with support for skins, and it also supports subtitles, playlists, and streaming. One of the biggest advantages of VLC Media Player is its advanced features. It can decode videos using hardware acceleration and supports a wide range of audio and video filters. It can also play damaged or incomplete files, making it a useful tool for recovering data from corrupted media files.
VLC Media Player is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. This makes it a great option for users who need a video player that can be used across multiple operating systems.
Key Features: Supports all video and audio formats, subtitles, playlists, streaming, hardware decoding, and filters.
2. PotPlayer
PotPlayer is another free multimedia player that supports a wide range of video and audio formats. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface that can be customized with different skins. The player supports subtitles, playlists, and streaming, as well as 3D playback.
PotPlayer’s advanced features include video and audio filters, which can be adjusted to improve the playback quality of video and audio files. It also has the ability to capture screenshots and record videos, making it a useful tool for content creators.
PotPlayer is available for Windows.
Key Features: Supports all video and audio formats, subtitles, playlists, streaming, 3D playback, filters, screenshot, and video recording.
3. KMPlayer
KMPlayer is a free multimedia player that supports a variety of video and audio formats. It has a customizable interface and supports subtitles, playlists, and streaming. The player also has advanced features such as 3D playback and the ability to capture screenshots and record videos.
One of the unique features of KMPlayer is its ability to play videos with high-quality subtitles. It can also play videos with multiple audio tracks and supports different languages, making it a great option for users who watch foreign films.
KMPlayer is available for Windows. KMPlayer also has a mobile app that allows users to connect their devices to their PC and stream media content to their mobile devices.
Key Features: Supports all video and audio formats, subtitles, playlists, streaming, 3D playback, filters, screenshot, and video recording.
4. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic – Home Cinema)
MPC-HC is a free and open-source multimedia player that can play a variety of video and audio formats. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface and supports subtitles, playlists, and streaming. The player also has advanced features such as hardware decoding, video and audio filters, and the ability to capture screenshots.
One of the advantages of MPC-HC is its lightweight design. It can run on older hardware and doesn’t require a lot of system resources to function. It also has a portable version that can be run directly from a USB drive, making it a great option for users who need a video player on the go.
MPC-HC is available for Windows.
Key Features: Supports all video and audio formats, subtitles, playlists, streaming, hardware decoding, filters, and screenshot capturing.
5. GOM Player
GOM Player is a free multimedia player that can play a wide range of video and audio formats. It has a customizable interface and supports subtitles, playlists, and streaming. The player also has advanced features such as 360-degree VR playback, video and audio effects, and the ability to capture screenshots and record videos.
GOM Player’s 360-degree VR playback feature allows users to watch VR videos directly within the player. It also has an integrated codec finder that automatically searches and installs missing codecs to ensure smooth playback. GOM Player is available for Windows.
Key Features: Supports all video and audio formats, subtitles, playlists, streaming, 360-degree VR playback, effects, screenshot, and video recording.
Wrap Up
VLC Media Player stands out for its ability to decode almost all video and audio formats and its availability on all platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. PotPlayer is notable for its support of 3D playback, and the ability to capture screenshots, and record videos. KMPlayer offers a unique feature that plays high-quality subtitles and supports multiple audio tracks, making it a good choice for foreign-language films. MPC-HC’s lightweight design makes it a great option for users with older hardware or who need a portable version of the player. GOM Player stands out for its support of 360-degree VR playback and integrated codec finder, which automatically searches and installs missing codecs.
All of the video players listed support popular formats such as MPEG-1/2, DivX, H.264, MKV, WebM, WMV, MP3, and AAC. This means users can expect to play most media files with these video players.
You can choose the best video player for your needs based on the specific features you require and the compatibility with their operating system.
