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Free PotPlayer alternatives

Top Media Players & Servers like PotPlayer

The most popular alternative to PotPlayer is VLC media player, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to PotPlayer are MPC-HC, mpv, Kodi, and Plex.

Most alternatives to PotPlayer are in the Media Players & Servers category, compared here by price, platform and features.

PotPlayer alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
6 apps

All PotPlayer alternatives

  1. VLC media player

    3.7(6K) · App Store

    VLC is a free and open source media player from the VideoLAN non-profit that handles most video and audio formats, DVDs, audio CDs and network streams without installing extra codecs. It supports subtitles, hardware decoding, filters, format conversion and streaming, and can be extended with add-ons and skins. It runs on desktop and mobile platforms, with no ads, tracking or paid tier.

    9 VLC media player alternatives

    Pros

    • Plays almost any file, disc or stream without extra codecs
    • Free and open source, with no ads or tracking
    • Available on desktop and mobile platforms

    Cons

    • Interface looks dated next to more modern players
    • Advanced settings are buried in complex preference menus
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Media Players & Servers
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Ad-freeHardware decodingPlays almost any formatPlugins & extensionsSubtitles support
    Visit websiteMore about VLC media player

  2. MPC-HC

    15.9Kstars

    MPC-HC (Media Player Classic - Home Cinema) is a lightweight, open source media player for Windows with a classic, uncluttered interface. The maintained fork by clsid2 bundles LAV Filters to decode nearly all common formats, supports hardware-accelerated decoding, subtitles and renderers such as madVR or MPC Video Renderer, and runs well on older PCs. It is free and has no ads.

    6 MPC-HC alternatives

    Pros

    • Lightweight and fast, even on older PCs
    • Bundled LAV Filters decode nearly all common formats
    • Supports high-quality renderers such as madVR

    Cons

    • Available only on Windows
    • Dated interface with few modern conveniences
    • Relies on a community fork since the original project stopped
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Media Players & Servers
    Platforms
    Windows
    Features
    Ad-freeHardware decodingPlays almost any formatSubtitles support
    Visit websiteMore about MPC-HC

  3. mpv

    37.3Kstars

    mpv is a free, open source media player for the command line with a minimal on-screen controller. Built on FFmpeg and descended from MPlayer, it plays a wide range of formats, renders high-quality video with GPU shaders and hardware decoding, and is configured through text files and key bindings. Lua and JavaScript scripts extend it, and the libmpv library powers front ends such as IINA.

    9 mpv alternatives

    Pros

    • Excellent video quality with GPU shaders and hardware decoding
    • Highly scriptable with Lua and JavaScript
    • libmpv powers other front ends such as IINA

    Cons

    • Minimal interface with no menus or playlist manager by default
    • Configuration lives in text files, which deters casual users
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Media Players & Servers
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    API accessHardware decodingPlays almost any formatPlugins & extensionsSubtitles support
    Visit websiteMore about mpv

  4. Kodi

    21.3Kstars

    Kodi is a free, open source media center, originally known as XBMC, designed for the big screen and remote controls. It organizes local and network movies, shows, music and photos with artwork and metadata, plays nearly every format, and is extended through add-ons, skins and PVR backends for live TV. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and small devices such as the Raspberry Pi.

    9 Kodi alternatives

    Pros

    • Big-screen interface designed for remote controls
    • Extensible with add-ons, skins and PVR backends for live TV
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and the Raspberry Pi

    Cons

    • Setup and configuration take time for newcomers
    • Third-party add-ons vary in quality, and some carry legal or security risks
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Media Players & Servers
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinuxAndroid
    Features
    Hardware decodingPlays almost any formatPlugins & extensionsSubtitles support
    Visit websiteMore about Kodi

  5. Plex

    4.6(137.8K) · App Store

    Plex is a media platform that organizes your movies, shows, music and photos with Plex Media Server and streams them to apps on phones, TVs, consoles and browsers. It fetches artwork and metadata, transcodes when needed and offers free ad-supported movies and live TV. Core features are free, while a Plex Pass subscription unlocks extras such as hardware-accelerated transcoding and remote playback of your own media.

    9 Plex alternatives

    Pros

    • Polished apps on phones, TVs, consoles and browsers
    • Rich artwork and metadata for movies, shows and music
    • Free ad-supported movies and live TV alongside your own library

    Cons

    • Remote playback of your media and hardware transcoding need Plex Pass
    • Requires a Plex account, with sign-in depending on Plex servers
    • Ad-supported content clutters the interface
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Media Players & Servers
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroidSelf-hosted
    Features
    Cross-device syncHardware decodingMedia serverSubtitles support
    Visit websiteMore about Plex

  6. Jellyfin

    4.1(489) · App Store

    Jellyfin is a free, open source media server for hosting your own movies, TV shows, music, books and photos and streaming them to web, mobile, TV and desktop clients. Forked from Emby in 2018, it has no premium tier or tracking: hardware transcoding, live TV and DVR, multiple users and plugins are all included. The server runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker and many NAS devices.

    9 Jellyfin alternatives

    Pros

    • Completely free, with hardware transcoding and DVR included
    • Open source, with no tracking and no premium tier
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker and many NAS devices

    Cons

    • Client apps are less polished than Plex or Emby on some devices
    • Remote access needs manual setup such as a reverse proxy or VPN
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Media Players & Servers
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMacLinuxiPhoneAndroidSelf-hosted
    Features
    Ad-freeHardware decodingMedia serverPlugins & extensionsSubtitles support
    Visit websiteMore about Jellyfin

PotPlayer vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of PotPlayer, compared with its most popular alternatives.

PotPlayer vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsHardware decodingPlays almost any formatSubtitles support
PotPlayerFreeWindows
VLC media playerFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
MPC-HCFreeOpen sourceWindows
mpvFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux
KodiFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux, Android
PlexFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted

PotPlayer alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to PotPlayer?

The most popular alternative to PotPlayer is VLC media player: Free, open source media player that plays almost any file. Other great alternatives are MPC-HC, mpv, Kodi, and Plex.

Is there a free alternative to PotPlayer?

Yes, 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including VLC media player, MPC-HC, mpv, and Kodi.

Is there an open source alternative to PotPlayer?

Yes, 5 open source alternatives are listed, including VLC media player, MPC-HC, mpv, and Kodi.

Is PotPlayer free?

Yes, PotPlayer is free to use.

Compare PotPlayer with its alternatives

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