VLC media player
v3.7.2Power users and media enthusiasts who require a versatile, format-agnostic player that handles local files and network-attached storage without privacy concerns.
What Is VLC media player?
Launched Jul 19, 2013
Updated Mar 2026
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
Plays almost any video or audio format directly without requiring file conversion.
Supports streaming from SMB, FTP, SFTP, NFS, UPnP/DLNA servers and web sources.
Syncs files directly with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, and iCloud Drive.
Full SSA subtitle compatibility, multi-track audio support, and playback speed manipulation.
Cast media to external displays or use AirPlay with spatial audio support.
Completely free, open-source software that does not collect personal information or include tracking.
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate free and open source and file management & offline access, but report playback glitches and audio gaps and network and cloud connectivity issues.”
What Users Love
Kudos to the development team here for supporting this product without ads for so long.
I love that I can rename stuff and add the songs to playlists I made! I love it!
It’s super easy to get files from the computer on here and the organization of everything from album to artist is awesome.
Pain Points
At the start of every song on an album, the player cuts the first few seconds of the song.
Audio playback has unstable pitch.
It works initially and then eventually will show nothing but a “bad request” message when attempting to access OneDrive.
High confidence · 49 reviews available
How is it ranked?
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Free | #41 |
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- Universal format support eliminates conversion needs
- Strong brand equity as a privacy-focused, open-source entity
- Robust network streaming capabilities for advanced users
Cons
- Recent regressions in audio playback stability
- Lack of modern UI/UX features like PiP
- Unreliable cloud/network connectivity
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Capitalize on user fatigue with subscription-based media apps
- Implement high-demand features like PiP to improve retention
- Improve onboarding for network streaming to capture new users
Market Threats
- Competitors with more polished interfaces luring casual users
- OS-level updates breaking legacy network protocols
- Declining sentiment impacting App Store visibility
What are the key takeaways?
VLC media player is a divisive photo & video app that is completely free. With a 3.7/5 rating from 5.4K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate free and open source, though playback glitches and audio gaps remains a common concern.
Best for: Power users and media enthusiasts who require a versatile, format-agnostic player that handles local files and network-attached storage without privacy concerns.
How much does it cost?
Model: free
The app follows a non-profit, open-source model, prioritizing accessibility and user privacy over monetization.