media players for Windows

Who doesn’t want to enjoy watching a movie or even a video and have a nice experience? You can always watch a movie in a cinema but what if you want to lay back on your couch and experience high-quality streaming? Having fast internet is not enough. You need a good media player, too.

It’s 2019 and if you are still using Windows Media Player, you are missing out my friend. There is a world of media players out there equipped with nice features just like FiOS Internet Plans that offer a variety of options to users. They have the ability to handle 4K, 3d, and even 360-degree videos. Some of them even support the VR headsets! Plus, they are free.

In case you didn’t know, choosing a media player is no easy feat. That’s why we have listed down 10 best media players you can download for Windows. Let’s explore them one by one:

#1: VLC Media Player

VLC Media PlayerIt had to be the first one on our list. VLC media player has existed since 1996. It is one of the top picks of people for numerous reasons. It is free and it is fully open source. It supports multiple formats. Once you have downloaded the subtitles, it supports them, too. And we all know it is extremely easy to use. Even though it is old, it has come a long way. It has always offered a pleasing user experience. You can also convert videos into different formats and play them on any device you like.

Pros

  • Supports all video and audio format you can think of
  • Compatible with Windows, MAC, Android, Linux, UNIX, and MAC OS X.
  • Highly customizable

Cons

  • While playing DVD, you might encounter playback problems

#2: SM Player

SM PlayerAlthough SM player has an old interface (more like that of media players in the 1990s), it is still worth using. Its built-in codecs allow you to play media files in any format you like. Plus, you can apply customization on all of them, too. It supports DVD, Blu-Ray playback, and Chromecast as well.

Another thing that you will admire about this media player is that it remembers your file settings. The volume, audio, and subtitle settings will remain the same. You can play it in URL play for streaming. Other than this, its YouTube playback tool lets you integrate and stream videos from YouTube. It supports Full HD videos, too.

Pros

  • Great playback quality
  • Remembers your playback position
  • Shortcuts available for almost all functions

Cons

  • Windows 7 playback controls are not available

#3: DivX Player

DivX PlayerIt is one of the kind media players with free HEVC playback. How cool is that, right? It also supports 4K playback. Other video formats it supports include AVI, MKV, MP4, and DivX. You can use it for streaming music, videos, and viewing photos.

Another one of its cool features is the Trick Play option. It allows you to jump to different scenes. It supports multiple audios. And then we have its resume play feature that lets you start streaming from where you left. It is also very simple to use.

Pros

  • Simple and easy to use interface
  • Supports formats AVI, DIVX, XVID, MKV, MOV, MP4, WMV, VOB, MPEG, ASF, etc.
  • Supports casting in HDR format

Cons

  • Its installer may contain malware

#4: PotPlayer

PotPlayerSome of you may have heard of it and some not. PotPlayer developed by Kakao (a South Korean company), is flooded with features. It offers so many customization options. It supports lots of files (MP4, MKV, AVI, FLV, etc.). It offers filters to reduce noise, change hue, contrast or alter brightness. It’s easy to use and it comes with hot keys and shortcut keys, too. Since the list of features is long, many users switch to something simpler.

In short, this media player contains everything you need for enjoying videos and music. It also has a screen recorder, a video editor and a TV receiver. You can download movies and sync the subtitles. Or add them on your own. Apart from this, you have the liberty to customize the appearance. With the video editor, you can blur or sharpen an image, rotate it, reduce noise, or make any other edits you want on the clip. PotPlayer also supports 3D videos and 360-degree videos. It lets you fully immerse yourself in what you are watching.

Pros

  • It’s fast and lightweight
  • Provides extensive configuration options
  • Comes with customizable logos, navigation elements, and color themes.

Cons

  • The setup might be difficult for new users

#5: Media Player Classic

Media Player ClassicThis classic player has been the top choice of users for a long time. Fans created its home cinema version. Developers improved it further by making it fast and lightweight. It’s not really equipped with fancy features. You can use it on your old Windows computer without any trouble. If you have Windows 10, it will work with it too. It has a subtitle download option, Skype integrated and its audio performance is great.

Pros

  • It is simple yet efficient
  • It is fully compatible with Windows 8.1
  • Supports subtitles

Cons

  • It does not support syncing for music

#6: Kodi

KodiKodi is like a complete home theater software. Formally known as XMBC, it’s another free open source media player that lets you play movie clips, music, movies, photos and a lot more. You can install Kodi on a variety of devices (computer, tablets, smartphones, smart TV and other media streaming devices).

The thing users love about it most is the customization it offers. It is capable of playing videos in all popular formats. You can also use it to view photos or listen to podcasts. Originally, it was developed for first-generation Xbox gaming console. You can also use different plugins to expand its features. This also means you can use it with YouTube, Netflix, Veoh, and Hulu.

Pros

  • It supports Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Android TV Boxes, Amazon Fire devices
  • It is extremely user-friendly
  • The add-ons let you customize its interface.

Cons

  • It makes you vulnerable to hackers

#7: RealPlayer

RealPlayerIt also one of the oldest media players for Windows available in the market. It is also known as the freemium video player. It has both free and premium version (with advanced features and more storage space). RealPlayer lets you store videos and even share them via the cloud. You can also stream HD TV content. It also lets you keep bookmarks. It is simple to use and very admirable.

Another reason why people might be interested in using RealPlayer in 2019 is the fact that you can download content from YouTube and Vimeo. Once it detects that a video is playing, it shows a tab on the top of the screen. Just click on it and it will let you download the video. It has a built-in converter. Simply select the video and convert click. It will show you different options and then you can take action accordingly.

Pros

  • It has a nice user interface
  • It supports file conversion
  • It offers cloud-based storage and management features

Cons

  • Some of its functions inconsistent

#8: GOM Media Player

GOM Media PlayerGOM allows you to customize the videos with its nice set of features. It supports common file formats. It further offers advanced UI customization. It also lets you find compatible codecs. GOM is created for people who want to use a simple yet functional media player.

GOM player supports VR and 360-degree videos. It also has custom configurations that let you enhance the viewer experience. Another special feature of GOM media player is GOM remote. It allows a user to link their smartphone with the GOM player. You won’t even have to get off the couch to stream content.

Pros

  • It has a sleek design and user-friendly interface
  • Codecs are included
  • It even plays broken AVI files

Cons

  • It contains too many adware

#9: MediaMonkey

MediaMonkeyMediaMonkey is a lot more than a simple media player. It comes with an advanced media management system that is capable of catering your web streaming needs.

It has a jukebox option that lets you push media to UPnP, Chromecast and other DLNA devices. It even allows you to tag your music collection and that happens automatically. For more entertainment, you can also sync the content stored in the media player to your phone.

You have guessed it right, these advanced features cost subscription. But its standard version is free. If you opt for the Gold Edition, the features you will get include advanced searching, disc burning, and background media organization. Along with a desktop version, its Android app is available as well.

Pros

  • It helps organize your music collection
  • It supports all common audio and video formats
  • It’s configurable for hotkeys

Cons

  • Displays database error often

#10: Plex

Plex PlayerIt’s a new kid on the block but it’s packed with features which makes it versatile. It has both free and premium versions. It supports casting and flinging on different devices. It’s also available on multiple platforms. You can sync your content to access different devices to enjoy listening to music or watching videos later on. Its parental control feature allows users to protect sensitive media.

Its user interface is a joy. All the information you need will be at your fingertips. It displays your content with an unwatched icon so that you can easily see what you have watched. It also lets you keep track of what you were viewing and pick from where you left.

Pros

  • Simple yet intriguing user interface
  • Great streaming quality
  • Very lightweight

Cons

  • Installation and setup is lengthy
  • Limited file sharing

Tips on Choosing a Media Player

After seeing all these options, you must be wondering which media player to choose? Should you stick to VLC player or go for others in the list? That merely depends on your needs. Perhaps these tips might help:

  • Ask yourself, what formats and codecs you need to play? The media player you choose must be capable of handling special audio formats if that’s what you need.
  • Time after time, will you need to convert videos into a different format? If yes, then your media player must support video conversion.
  • Do you like to keep track of your videos, photos or movies? Then you need a media player that keeps track of your collection through a library.
  • Everyone likes a good old user interface. Make sure the media player kooks as well as feel good. Plus, it must be easy to use.
  • Does the media player offer additional features? Because these features sometimes can be very handy especially if you are looking for customization.

Final Words

This concludes the list of top 10 media players for Windows. All of them are free. Some support premium versions, too, in case you want access to advanced features. These players will let you enjoy streaming videos at home and experience the cinema-like thrill. As long as the Internet speed is fine, live streaming would be a breeze. When facing quality issues, if nothing is wrong with the media player, you might want to upgrade your Internet bundle. In that case, simply dial the Frontier Customer number (+1-844-813-5884).