VLC Remote is a utility app for iOS and Android that allows users to control VLC Media Player on desktop computers from their mobile devices.
Product velocity
Dormant
Daily rank 🇺🇸
—
Entertainment
Sentiment
3.5
6k reviews
Nemesis
Auto Skip for Netflix
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
Users rely on the app to manage media playback from a distance, removing the friction of physical interaction with a computer keyboard or mouse during viewing sessions.
For VLC Media Player users who want to control their desktop media playback from a mobile device while away from their computer.
What does it look like?
Key features
Remote navigation and selection of media files stored on the host computer
Scans local network to identify and connect to active VLC instances
Standard transport controls including play, pause, stop, volume, and track navigation
How much does it cost?
Freemium model uses a functional gate, restricting file browsing to the paid annual subscription tier.
Velocity
Dormant developmentopaqueShow more...
Development has ceased, with no new feature builds or updates released in the last 389 days. The app's last update occurred in July 2025, and the iOS platform has seen no activity for nearly five years. The project currently shows no signs of active maintenance or ongoing support.
Who built it?
Hobbyist Software
13+ apps tracked · Entertainment
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File GetterUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Review voice lately leans mixed. Users appreciate remote control functionality allows users to manage media playback from the comfort of their couch and audio streaming feature provides a cost-effective alternative to purchasing expensive wireless headphones for late-night viewing, but report connection instability forces users to frequently restart the application to regain control of the host.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Remote control functionality allows users to manage media playback from the comfort of their couch
- Audio streaming feature provides a cost-effective alternative to purchasing expensive wireless headphones for late-night viewing
- Setup documentation provides clear instructions for manual configuration on various operating systems including Linux
- Connection instability forces users to frequently restart the application to regain control of the host
84 of 563 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Mixed overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 2 user requests, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for VLC Remote
How's the Entertainment market?
VLC Remote occupies a niche utility space, but the 389-day gap since the last store update limits its ability to compete with modern, frequently updated streaming remotes. The reliance on a subscription model for legacy users, combined with a 3.35 rating on Android, signals significant monetization friction relative to its current feature set.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
By Dongwook Cho
This app competes by automating the media consumption experience, directly challenging VLC Remote's role as a utility for managing playback on desktop devices.
- Automates content navigation like intro skipping, whereas VLC Remote requires manual user input for playback control.
- Focuses on a single streaming platform's UX, while VLC Remote offers broad, platform-agnostic media player control.
Remote Control for RokuContender
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Movie Box LLCContenderUnlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for VLC Remote
Where is it heading?
The remote utility market is consolidating around hardware-specific, high-cadence apps that offer seamless integration. VLC Remote's maintenance-only posture leaves it exposed to churn, as the lack of feature updates fails to justify the annual subscription cost for long-term users.
- Maintenance-only cadence (no major updates in 6 months) signals a lack of active investment, which erodes user trust in the subscription model.
- Connection instability in the latest version forces users to restart the app, which increases churn risk as users seek more reliable alternatives.
The SWOT
- Established reputation as an essential utility for VLC users
- Apple Watch integration provides wrist-based control
Next best moves
Audit connection logic because connection instability is the top complaint → reduce churn
The counter-intuitive read
The app's subscription model is a liability not because of the price…
Read the full takeFeature gaps
Apple Watch integration (requested by users but absent here) +1
Since the last report: Development has ceased, moving the app into a zombie state after 389 days of inactivity. This stagnation has intensified user churn, as the subscription model now gates features that remain plagued by persistent connection instability.
Bottom line
Connection instability in the latest version forces users to restart the app, which increases churn risk as users seek more reliable alternatives.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is VLC Remote free to use?
How does VLC Remote compare to other remote apps?
Does VLC Remote work if I have connection issues?
Sources
Report last updated