What should I expect from a great Windows 10 media player?
As there are tons of software available for the Windows platform, choosing the right one for your computer isn’t an easy task. Also, with the increasing number of newer media formats, not all free media players are capable of running all popular file formats like MKV, FLV, AVI, MP4, MOV, etc.
Apart from being a feature-rich software, a great media player also needs to be simple, intuitive, and lightweight. If we take these factors into account, players like VLC, GOM, Media Player Classic, etc., are recommended. But, what about their features?
Aug 31, 2006 Windows Media Player 10 is the all-in-one media player that provides the best experience for discovering, playing and taking your digital entertainment anywhere-on Windows XP PCs and the widest choice of portable devices. Free VLC Media Player 2019 In particular, it’s tied in with supporting the Windows XP, 7, 8, and 10 client encounter called Metro. Basically, this rendition is fundamentally the same as some other adaptation of VLC for Windows. Windows Media Player 10 is the all-in-one media player that provides the best experience for discovering, playing and taking your digital entertainment anywhere-on Windows XP PCs and the widest choice of portable devices.
That’s why very often people send us emails asking the question, “Which is the best media player for Windows?” This has prompted me to prepare a list of the best free media players for Windows operating system.
Just in case, you also want to check out our previous lists of top video players for Android and Linux.
11 Best Media Players for Windows 10 (2019)
VLC Media Player
PotPlayer
KMPlayer
Media Player Classic – Home Cinema
ACG Player
GOM Media Player
DivX Player
Kodi
Plex
5KPlayer
MediaMonkey
1. VLC Media Player
Whenever we start any discussion on the best media players in 2019 and how great they are, the name VLC automatically comes at the top. But why is it so? What’s the reason behind its massive popularity?
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source media player that’s available for all popular platforms. Created by the VideoLAN project, VLC Media Player is known to support a vast number of audio and video compression methods and file formats. Over the years, VLC has earned the reputation of being the “play everything” video player.
VLC is one of the best PC media players due to its fast and simple nature that doesn’t involve any painstaking steps. The software also features different customization options that can help you improve your viewing experience and change the look of the player. It’s also often used as a streaming media player to fecth videos from popular sites like YouTube.
This amazing Windows Media Player alternative also receives frequent updates and has a large user community. It runs on all Windows versions, from Windows 10 to Windows XP SP3. From time-to-time, this free movie player keeps receiving new features and updates. You can also check out our dedicated article on VLC tricks.
What sets VLC apart?
Free and open source
Plays almost anything
Available on almost all platforms
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
– VLC Media Player website
2. PotPlayer
Competing with other video players like VLC, PotPlayer has managed to earn a good reputation in recent times. This multimedia software for the Windows platform is developed by a South Korean internet company named Kakao.
PotPlayer has tons of features and specialties that can easily give VLC a run for its money. This recommended media player comes with a wide range of customization options that allow you to customize it according to your needs.
Using techniques like CUDA, QuickSync, and DXVA, PotPlayer can deliver maximum performance and lightweight experience. That’s why PotPlayer is the second best media player on the list.
Compared to VLC, PotPlayer might be less popular, but it supports even more file types. It goes without saying that it’s a great player for MP4/FLV/AVI/MKV files, which are very common. You have the option to choose between sound cards, bookmark your favorite scenes and preview them, etc.
You also get filters for brightness, contrast, hue, noise reduction, etc. It also comes with lots of built-in keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys. But, what makes VLC more popular than PotPlayer?
Well, for most of the users, the long list of features and settings might be just too much. Also, PotPlayer is limited to Windows. Overall, PotPlayer is one of the best media players around if you want to ditch VLC Media Player.
Why use PotPlayer?
Attractive interface
Better audio performance
Tons of customization options
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
– PotPlayer website
3. KMPlayer
KMPlayer is another great and free Windows 10 media player that possesses the ability to play almost all mainstream video and audio files. As it has an inbuilt codec for Windows 10, the users don’t need to look for any different codecs.
To increase its compatibility even further, you can add external codecs. With the support for 3D, 4K, UHD support, the users can enjoy high definition videos on your devices.
KMPlayer is also known for its wide range of support for formats. The users have lots of choices when it comes to audio and video effects, which makes sure that you don’t have the dearth of any feature or support.
You can choose the parts of videos as favorites, make them repeat, remap the keys for remote interface, etc. You also get the feature of editing subtitles right inside the player. First released in 2002, KMPlayer free media player was acquired by a Korean streaming company Pandora TV in 2007.
Why use KMPlayer?
Robust media organization
Highly customizable
KMP Connect feature
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
– KMPlayer website
4. Media Player Classic – Home Cinema
Just like its name signifies, Media Player Classic is a classic media player that was bound to feature in our list of best media players for 2019. Build after the halted development of the original Media Player Classic; the Home Cinema version is an effort made by the community of its fans.
Together, the developers have improved the older version and made a speedy and lightweight software. The other fork of the original Media Player Classic is the Black Edition. If we compare both of them, Home Cinema ranks better and keeps improving its feature set to rank among the top Windows 10 media players.
Talking about all the fancy features, just like other software on this list, Media Player Classic doesn’t come loaded. But, that doesn’t mean that it’s going to disappoint you. This free multimedia player can be used even on your old computer without any hassle. Media Player Classic is a great Windows 10 Media Player alternative. It also doubles up as a free DVD player for Windows 10, provides subtitle download options, Skype integration, etc.
Why Use MPC?
Supports even more formats than VLC
Better audio performance
More responsive than others
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
– MPC-HC website
5. ACG Player
If you’re looking for a UWP media player app for Windows 10 that’s clean-looking; it’s time to stop your search because ACG Player could be your final choice. It ranks among the best video player apps because of its lightweight nature. ACG Player has all the essential features, like audio and video effects, music visualizer, art font subtitle, gesture control, background music, etc.
ACG Player supports most media codecs out-of-the-box and follows no-nonsense policy. It also supports playback from external devices, files, and discs. An even more lightweight version of ACG Player is available in the form of Ax-Lite, which is its faster version without some features. Do give it a try for its clean and zippy interface?
What’s special about ACG Player?
Lightweight experience
Touch gestures and interface
Minimalist design
Supported Platforms: Windows 10
– ACG Player website
6. GOM Media Player
GOM Player, or Gretech Online Movie Player, is a completely free Windows media player alternative that comes with inbuilt support for the most popular video and audio formats. That means it can play all the most popular video formats like AVI, MKV, MP4, FLV, MOV, etc.
It has all the basic functionalities that come loaded with other popular PC media players. But GOM Player comes with lots of advanced features like A-B repeat, Media Player Capture, speed control, audio/video effects, screen capture, etc. It also gives you a choice to change skins and make the whole look of GOM Player highly customized.
Using GOM’s own library, you can download lots of subtitles to enjoy movies and TV shows in your preferred language. You can also link this awesome media player for Windows 10 with the vast database of OpenSubtitles.org.
It could be possible that this media player software might not support some uncommon types right away. For those scenarios, GOM Player’s Codec Finder service will let you search for the missing codec. GOM Player for Windows supports a wide range of operating systems, ranging from Windows 10 to Windows XP SP3.
Why use GOME Player?
Codec and subtitle finder
Clean, colorful interface
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7
– GOM Player website
7. DivX Player
The #7 entry on our list of best media players in 2019 for Windows 10 is DivX Player. It calls itself the first of its kind media player that offers free HEVC playback. It goes without saying that DivX player is optimized for playing video files in the most popular formats like MP4, MKV, DivX, and AVI.
You can also enjoy UltraHD (4K) playback with this popular and useful media player. DivX also acts as a streaming media player that lets you stream music, video, and photos to any DLNA-compatible device.
Furthermore, DivX player comes with advanced features like Trick Play, which lets you jump to your favorite scenes easily. With the support for Chapter Points, you can simply play different scenes. Its smart media library keeps track of the purchased as well as private video content. The support for multiple audio means that you can switch among different soundtracks without hassle. With its Resume Play feature, you can simply jump to the point where you left off.
Why use the DivX player?
Full of features
DivX To Go feature
DLNA streaming support is great
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
– DivX Player website
8. Kodi
Kodi, formerly called XBMC, is another free and open-source media player on our list. It’s a highly customizable media player that you can use on your laptop or desktop to get a media center-like experience. Just in case you’re missing Windows Media Center on Windows 10, Kodi is a great alternative.
Kodi is a powerful contender for the top media player for streaming and is even better if you’re using it with an external, larger display because of its 10-foot user interface. In the recent past, Kodi has been in the headlines due to pre-loaded Kodi boxes and add-ons that support piracy.
Kodi plays almost all popular video and music formats, podcasts, and other digital media stored locally or on the internet. Initially, Kodi was developed independently and called Xbox Media Center for the 1st gen Xbox gaming console. This recommended media player also has plug-ins that can be used to expand its features and include functionalities like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Veoh, etc. Kodi’s source code is open source and developed by a global community of unpaid volunteers.
Why prefer Kodi?
Media center experience
Content streaming
TV interface
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7
– Kodi website
Also Read: Best Kodi Repositories For Downloading Popular Addons
9. Plex
Back in 2015, Plex made a big change and replaced their Plex Home Theater with its new Plex Media Player. Plex lets you easily take care of your large media collection, which can include anything like videos, TV shows, movies, photos, personal videos and music, etc. It organizes your collections and makes it look great. With its easy-share nature, you can pick and choose what to make public and give your family access.
It supports almost all file types, including hi-fi music and video formats. As it’s Chromecast supported, you can cast the videos on your larger TV screen. You can also use the Plex app on your phone or tablet to take control of your player. Use this app to streamline your video content library and get the advantage of a feature-rich video media player as well.
Why use Plex?
Media management
Takes care of metadata
Most platforms are supported
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7
– Plex website
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10. 5KPlayer
Media Player Free Download For Pc
5KPlayer is the final entry on the list of recommended Windows 10 media players. As the name might hint, it is a top-rated video player for Windows 10 as it’s extremely compatible with various video codecs and formats. It claims to play almost all kinds of videos and music without any plug-ins, and it actually delivers.
The user interface of the 5KPlayer is very clean and simple. It’s also known for its more streaming options. 5KPlayer also lets you import videos and music from websites like YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, MTV, etc. It’s compatible with common formats like MP4, MOV, M4V, MP3, AAC, etc.
Why use 5KPlayer?
Built-in AirPlay support
Video downloader for many video sites
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7
– 5KPlayer website
11. MediaMonkey
This one is the latest addition to the free media players for Windows 10 – MediaMonkey. Also commonly called MMW (MediaMonkey for Windows), this freemium software is known to provide a helping hand to people who wish to keep their music organized.
Just like other notable movie players, MediaMonkey for Windows also comes with the ability to extend the functionality with the plugins. You can use them to make the look of player more appealing, enhance device support and playback, and newer music discovery features.
MediaMonkey’s best features?
Intelligent file tagging
Heavily configurable
Supported Platforms: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7
– MediaMonkey website
So, which free media player is best in your eyes? Which one do you use to enjoy movies and other media content? Don’t forget to share your views and become a part of the discussion.
Also Read: Best And Free Music Player Apps For Windows You Must Use
Content
Review
Developed by Microsoft, Windows Media Player is multimedia software developed to play media content. With this latest download version, this is a more coordinated platform. It allows for the reproduction and synchronization of pictures, movies and music to mobile devices through its Remote Media Streaming technology. All you have to do is plug your device in to your PC and choose the files from your media libraries to transfer.
Windows Media Player 12 is available for Windows 7 and Windows 8, introducing many Windows 8 innovations. For example, creating playlists is much easier with this application thanks to improvements to its search engine. When you find the lists you are searching for, drag-and-drop them into the Windows program and your music compilation will begin.
Advanced functions
This application offers tools to copy and record audio discs, so you only have to choose the data you want and place it on the CD. Burning your collection on your CD takes just a few moments. You can also extract music from CDs, while with its online connection, Windows Media Player has library updates providing you with new information about albums.
It offers a friendly environment and an improved system for connecting to external devices
Thumbnail taskbar. The latest version has added a simplified Windows player that offers a friendly and intuitive experience. Users can choose between the classic or new setup, where principal menu tools (play, previous and next, and the buttons to access to the library and insert media information) are rearranged, and it offers many themes and skins to customize its appearance.
There are also many add-ons to enhance your audio experience, such as listening to different Internet radio stations. Moreover, video and audio can be customized for decibels levels, brightness, rates, saturation, and contrast, among other options. This program doesn’t include natural codecs, but you need to get special codecs to play a file, you can get them for free online.
Windows Media Player 12 Features
New features of Windows Media Player 12 include:
Burn, split and reproduce your own CDs
It’s a simple program. Effortlessly play your audio or video files
It includes options such as reverse, fast-forward or even the option to add bookmarks to a file
Shortcuts. It offers the option to control actions through the keyboard
Organize your library. Arrange your files based on the singer, style, album or release date
Quick Access Panel. The main window includes a button to efficiently search your library
Many visualization options, such as Battery, Alchemy, Waves and Bars
Supports many video formats, such as MOV, MP4 or 3GP
Modify its appearance. Customize the color interface and different skin modes
Construct your own ActiveX button on the Internet
Option to add additional programs such as effects, masks and views
If you require further information about this software before you download it, feel free to visit the author’s website
System Requirements
Media Player For Windows 10
The minimum system requirements to download and install this program are:
Operating System: Windows 7 or better
Processor: Intel Pentium II 233 MHz
RAM: 64 MB
HDD Space: 200 MB of free space
Conclusion
Windows Media Player, also known by the acronym WMP, is evolving with the market. With this latest version, it offers a friendly, well organized and searchable environment with improved connectivity for external devices.