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VLC Media Player Alternatives for Linux

Looking for VLC Media Player alternatives? We've curated 19 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need Linux options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Kodi

Kodi

Open Source

Kodi is a powerful, free, and open-source media player software designed to transform your device into a comprehensive home theater PC. It provides a stunning interface optimized for large screens, allowing you to manage and play virtually all popular types of digital media.

Key Features

  • Excellent media organization and library management.
  • Supports a vast range of media formats.
  • Highly customizable through skins and add-ons.

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent media organization and library management. compared to VLC Media Player
Amarok

Amarok

Open Source

Amarok is a powerful and versatile cross-platform free and open-source music player. It excels in managing large music collections with features like dynamic playlists, advanced tagging, and integration with online music services. Designed for users who seek comprehensive control over their audio experience, Amarok offers a customizable interface and a wide array of plugins.

Key Features

  • Excellent music library management features
  • Powerful dynamic and intelligent playlist creation
  • High degree of customization through themes, plugins, and scripting

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent music library management features compared to VLC Media Player
MPlayer

MPlayer

Open Source

MPlayer is a highly versatile, free, and open-source multimedia player renowned for its extensive codec support and powerful command-line interface. It can handle a wide array of media formats with minimal system resources.

Key Features

  • Exceptional codec support out-of-the-box.
  • Highly efficient and lightweight on system resources.
  • Powerful and flexible command-line interface for advanced control.

vs VLC Media Player

Exceptional codec support out-of-the-box. compared to VLC Media Player
Banshee

Banshee

Open Source

Banshee was a versatile media player and management application that supported various audio and video formats, podcasts, and seamless library organization. It included features like smart playlists, integrated media conversion, and device synchronization.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive music and video playback capabilities.
  • Effective media library organization features.
  • Integrated podcast player is a convenient addition.

vs VLC Media Player

Comprehensive music and video playback capabilities. compared to VLC Media Player
SMPlayer

SMPlayer

Open Source

SMPlayer is a free and powerful media player that offers built-in codecs for a wide range of formats. It features intuitive controls, extensive customization options, and the ability to remember settings for each file, making it a versatile choice for playing videos and audio.

Key Features

  • Plays almost all audio and video formats out-of-the-box.
  • Remembers settings for every file automatically.
  • Excellent subtitle support including online search.

vs VLC Media Player

Plays almost all audio and video formats out-of-the-box. compared to VLC Media Player
Miro

Miro

Open Source

Miro was a comprehensive, open-source media player and internet TV application. It allowed users to discover, download, and play videos and music from various online sources, including podcasts, video feeds, and BitTorrent. It offered features like built-in torrenting, media conversion, and integration with Android devices.

Key Features

  • Integrated BitTorrent client for direct downloads.
  • Combines internet TV, podcasts, and local media.
  • Automatic downloading of new episodes and feeds.

vs VLC Media Player

Integrated BitTorrent client for direct downloads. compared to VLC Media Player
DeaDBeeF

DeaDBeeF

Open Source

DeaDBeeF is a lightweight and highly customizable audio player for Linux and other Unix-like systems. It supports a wide range of audio formats and offers advanced features like audio conversion, plugin extensibility, and comprehensive playlist management, making it a powerful choice for audiophiles and everyday users alike.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable interface and features
  • Supports a wide range of audio formats
  • Lightweight and resource-efficient

vs VLC Media Player

Highly customizable interface and features compared to VLC Media Player
mpv

mpv

Open Source

mpv is a free and open-source command-line media player derived from MPlayer and mplayer2. It boasts a minimalist user interface and powerful scripting capabilities, offering excellent video and audio playback with low resource consumption.

Key Features

  • Extremely lightweight and performant
  • Excellent video and audio quality
  • Highly customizable through configuration and scripting

vs VLC Media Player

Extremely lightweight and performant compared to VLC Media Player
UMPlayer

UMPlayer

Open Source

UMPlayer is a free and open-source cross-platform media player that boasts a built-in search for YouTube and Shoutcast radio, offering a wide range of supported formats and features like automatic subtitle downloads and customizable playback options.

Key Features

  • Plays almost all audio and video formats without extra codecs.
  • Integrated search and streaming for YouTube and Shoutcast.
  • Automatic subtitle searching and downloading feature.

vs VLC Media Player

Plays almost all audio and video formats without extra codecs. compared to VLC Media Player
Videos

Videos

Open Source

Videos, formerly known as Totem, is the official video player for the GNOME desktop environment. It provides a straightforward and efficient way to play various video and audio files directly on your Linux system. Designed for integration within the GNOME ecosystem, it offers a familiar and seamless user experience.

Key Features

  • Seamless integration with the GNOME desktop environment.
  • Clean and intuitive user interface.
  • Supports a wide range of video and audio formats out of the box.

vs VLC Media Player

Seamless integration with the GNOME desktop environment. compared to VLC Media Player
Quod Libet

Quod Libet

Open Source

Quod Libet is a highly extensible GTK+-based audio player for Linux, focusing on powerful music library management and flexible tagging. Written in Python and using the Mutagen library, it offers extensive customization and handles diverse audio formats seamlessly.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable interface and functionality.
  • Exceptional tagging and library management features.
  • Powerful dynamic playlist creation.

vs VLC Media Player

Highly customizable interface and functionality. compared to VLC Media Player
Exaile

Exaile

Open Source

Exaile is a feature-rich, free and open-source audio player, tag editor, and library organizer with support for internet radio, podcasts, and various plugins.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable via plugins.
  • Effective music library management and tag editing.
  • Supports internet radio and podcasts.

vs VLC Media Player

Highly customizable via plugins. compared to VLC Media Player
aTunes

aTunes

Open Source

aTunes is a versatile, open-source audio player and music manager built on Java, offering robust features for organizing, playing, and managing various audio formats. It leverages MPlayer for playback and includes capabilities like internet radio streaming, podcast management, and integration with music services.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive set of music management features.
  • Supports a wide range of audio formats.
  • Includes CD ripping and media conversion.

vs VLC Media Player

Comprehensive set of music management features. compared to VLC Media Player
Nightingale

Nightingale

Open Source

Nightingale is a highly customizable cross-platform audio player with a focus on extensibility, featuring a beautiful interface, a wide array of supported formats, and tools like media library management, podcast playback, and integrated web browsing.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable through extensions and skins.
  • Supports a wide range of audio formats.
  • Robust media library management features.

vs VLC Media Player

Highly customizable through extensions and skins. compared to VLC Media Player
Qmmp

Qmmp

Open Source

Qmmp is a free and open-source audio player designed for various operating systems, known for its lightweight nature and extensive customization options through plugins. It provides a familiar interface similar to classic audio players while offering modern features like streaming, media conversion, and library management.

Key Features

  • Highly customizable through an extensive plugin system.
  • Very lightweight and efficient with system resources.
  • Supports a wide variety of audio formats.

vs VLC Media Player

Highly customizable through an extensive plugin system. compared to VLC Media Player
bomi

bomi

Open Source

Bomi is a user-friendly yet powerful multimedia player, formerly known as CMPlayer, designed for effortless playback with advanced features like hardware acceleration, subtitle search, and playback restoration. It supports a wide range of media formats and offers extensive customization options for a tailored viewing experience.

Key Features

  • Excellent format and codec support due to mpv backend.
  • Automatic playback position restoration is a major convenience.
  • Integrated subtitle search simplifies finding and adding subtitles.

vs VLC Media Player

Excellent format and codec support due to mpv backend. compared to VLC Media Player
Foobnix

Foobnix

Open Source

Foobnix is a versatile and performant music player designed for Linux systems. It offers comprehensive support for a wide range of audio formats, including lossless options, and integrates seamlessly with popular online services like internet radio and Last.fm. Its lightweight design ensures smooth operation even on systems with limited resources.

Key Features

  • Supports a wide range of audio formats, including lossless.
  • Integrated internet radio and online service support (Last.fm).
  • Lightweight and resource-efficient.

vs VLC Media Player

Supports a wide range of audio formats, including lossless. compared to VLC Media Player
Eina

Eina

Open Source

Eina is a lightweight and portable music player designed for simplicity and performance. It offers a clean interface and essential features for managing and enjoying your music library on the go, without unnecessary bloat or advertisements. Its focus on being ad-free and minimalistic provides a distraction-free listening experience.

Key Features

  • Lightweight design minimizes resource usage.
  • Completely ad-free listening experience.
  • Portable; can run without installation.

vs VLC Media Player

Lightweight design minimizes resource usage. compared to VLC Media Player
Noise

Noise

Open Source

Noise is a sleek and efficient GTK3 audio player designed for managing and enjoying your music library. It prioritizes speed and a clean interface, offering essential features for music enthusiasts who value performance and simplicity.

Key Features

  • Fast and responsive, especially with large libraries.
  • Clean and intuitive user interface.
  • Resource-friendly and lightweight.

vs VLC Media Player

Fast and responsive, especially with large libraries. compared to VLC Media Player

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