Lightweight, open source media player for Windows
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.
- features
- 4
- alternatives
- 6
- platform
- 1
- Updated
- Oct 12, 2026
Features
Our take
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
Editorial assessment by the Alternatives.tools team, based on what the product is known for. Not a user review.
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