Best 10 Video Players for Windows 11/10 with Advanced Playback Features

A video player on a computer can take you far. While there are streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, some videos in your folder will require a media player to watch them. And thankfully, Windows has the default media player to take care of this. However, there are times when the video is not supported, so now, we will introduce the best video players for Windows. Let’s get into it.

• Part 1. Does Windows Have a Video Player
• Part 2. Top 10 Video Players for Windows
• Part 3. FAQs about Video Player for Windows

Part 1. Does Windows Have a Video Player

Every Windows version has Windows Media Player as the default player, developed by the Microsoft team. It supports playing various media files, such as video, audio, and slideshows. Since it is built-in into the system, Windows Media Player is free and accessible anytime, but there are many reasons why you will need a third-party video player on your Windows.

First, WMP only supports a handful of media file formats. Mostly, it can only play MP4, WMV, AVI, M4A, FLAC, and 3GP. This is already a drawback for people who want to watch videos with different file extensions. Another problem with the default is the lack of customization. Videos tend to be more or less undefined when you play them, so having basic editing tools is essential. Unfortunately, Windows Media Player is only developed for playback.

Part 2. Top 10 Video Players for Windows

Since Windows Media Player lacks important features, here are the best alternatives. Considering WMP’s disadvantages, the following recommendations have a wider range of supported formats, outstanding features, etc.

	Best for	Supported Formats and Codecs	Resolution Support	Loading Speed (General)	Hardware Acceleration	Advanced Controls (Notable)
Blu-ray Master Free Blu-ray Player	High-quality video playback of various digital formats.	Blu-ray, DVD, MP4, WMV, MKV, MOV, MP3, and many more common video/audio formats.	1080p HD, 4K, and 8K	Very Fast	(NVIDIA, Intel QSV, AMD)	Subtitle/audio track selection, adjust video effects, and screenshot.
VLC Media Player	Universal media playback, open-source, and wide compatibility.	Virtually all video and audio formats (H.264, MKV, WebM, WMV, MP3, Ogg, AAC, etc.), DVDs.	SD to 8K.	Fast	(GPU decoding: DXVA2, VAAPI, VDPAU, VideoToolbox)	Subtitle customization, playback speed control, and audio normalization.
KMPlayer	Broad format support and 4K/8K playback.	AVI, MKV, MP4, WebM, MOV, 3GP, FLV, and more.	Up to 8K UHD, 60FPS	Fast	(Optimized for low-end PCs)	Playback speed control (0.25x to 4x), A-B repeat, AND subtitle customization.
PotPlayer	Advanced customization, high performance, and lightweight.	AVI, WMV, MP4, MKV, FLV, WebM, MOV, and virtually all other modern and legacy formats.	SD to 8K and beyond	Fast	(DXVA, CUDA, QuickSync)	Highly customizable interface, extensive video/audio filters, real-time video p
DivX Player	Playing DivX/HEVC content and casting videos to devices.	DivX, AVI, DIVX, MKV, MP4, H.264, HEVC (H.265), MPEG-2, VC-1. Supports AC3, DTS-HD (with plugins).	Up to 4K (HEVC)	Moderate	(for DivX codecs)	Multiple audio support, playlists, media library, AND Cloud Connect.
Plex	Media server and client for organizing and streaming personal media libraries.	Supports most common formats like MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, MP3, FLAC, etc.	4K/HDR	Moderate		Library management, streaming online content, and automatic content discovery.
UMPlayer	Open-source, lightweight, and integrates online streaming.	AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, MP3, FLAC, etc.	Up to 1080p HD.	Fast	(limited/codec-dependent)	Customizable hotkeys, built-in codec finder, screenshot, and audio/subtitle delay adjustment.
Kodi	Organizing and playing all media.	DVDs, Blu-rays, AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, FLV, OGM, MP3, FLAC, AAC, WAV, and more.	SD to 8K.	Fast		Customizable skins, chapter markers, video add-ons for online content, and advanced audio settings.
RealPlayer	Web video downloader, media library, and playback for common formats.	RealMedia (RM, RMVB), MP4, FLV, WMV, AVI, MP3, AAC. Often includes a web video downloader for common streaming sites.	Up to 1080p HD, some 4K support (Premium)	Moderate	(Modern versions)	Web video download, casting to Chromecast/Roku (Premium), and photo collage creation.
PowerDVD	Premium Blu-ray/DVD playback, and home theater experience.	Blu-ray, DVD, ISO, MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, HEVC, AV1, MP3, and most other popular video/audio formats.	Up to 8K, 4K HDR, 3D	Very Fast	(TrueTheater enhancements, GPU acceleration)	Cinema mode, VR playback, and cloud streaming integration.

1Blu-ray Master Free Blu-ray Player

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

Instead of converting your video and audio files to make them compatible with your computer, you can use Blu-ray Master Free Blu-ray Player for quick and enjoyable media streaming. It is a cross-platform tool with a straightforward interface, effective controls, and a more customizable screen size. One thing the video player for PC assures is its support for common and unique formats, including MKV, MOV, MP4, Blu-ray, DVD, and more, while streaming 100% of the original quality. This best media player for Windows 11 is easy to operate, so you can binge-watch your favorite movies and TV shows.

• Offer screen modes like full, half, double, and custom screen.
• Adjust video and audio track, as well as subtitles.
• Play Blu-ray and DVD folders, discs, and IOS files.
• Smooth playback without interruption.

2VLC Media Player

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS

VLC is a known media player for most of the popular operating systems. It is a free and open-source program developed and updated by many developers and coordinated by VideoLAN, a non-profit organization. VLC has become popular because it is free and supports most video formats common video players do not. It can play from MP4 to MKV, FLV, MPEG, M2TS, and more. Besides this, this top video player for Windows is also programmed to open various video and audio codecs easily, with a built-in editor to change the output settings.

• Decent media playback on the desktop.
• Provide video and audio effects.
• Customize the interface for better navigation.
• Offer other functions like basic editing and converting.

Bottom Line:

It is a must to try VLC before getting into other video players on Windows. It has all the essentials to create a wonderful binge-watching experience. But just like other tools, VLC also has its pros and cons.

3KMPlayer

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

KMPlayer is a multimedia video player for Windows. It is also a popular free program for movie enthusiasts, providing them with a sleek interface, effective controls, and excellent visual quality. More features are included with this best video player for PC, such as a slideshow creator and decoder. It also supports a wide range of subtitle formats to input into your videos, including SRT, SSA, etc. KMPlayer is cost-free, so you can download it on your Windows anytime.

• Suitable for 3D and VR playback.
• It has built-in codecs for audio and video files.
• Customizable interface with media library and controls.
• Stream videos from local and online.

Bottom Line:

KMPlayer is a decent media player that you can get without paying. It is one of the best alternatives for Windows Media Player, with outstanding functions to offer.

4PotPlayer

Supported Platforms: Windows

PotPlayer is another best video players for Windows 10/11. It provides many functionalities like excellent visual quality, resume playback, etc. This movie player for PC is known for its support for broken files, which means damaged videos are still playable on this program. You can also get it free on Windows OS 32-bit and 64-bit without restrictions.

• Accepts SAA and ASS files.
• Built-in audio equalizer.
• Adjust brightness, hue, and contrast.
• Configurable volume, zooming, and seeking.

Bottom Line:

The video player on Windows works fine for most media files. It is also not too constrained by system requirements as long as it is one of the latest Windows OS.

5DivX Player

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

The video player provides streaming from your local folders or online and allows you to screencast shows from other devices. DivX Player lets you enjoy the highest quality and resolution for up to 4K without buffering while playing media. But be reminded that DivX Player is not free. You can avail the pro version for $40 to experience its full features.

• Enable the cast screen to other devices.
• Switch soundtracks via multiple audio support.
• Organize and manage the playlist by default.
• Allow users to custom encode settings.

Bottom Line:

Truly, DivX Player can be your alternative as a video player on Windows. Other than being compatible with many Windows OS versions, the tool is also great for multiple video and audio formats.

6Plex

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

For Plex, it is a popular platform that offers comprehensive playback for MP4, MKV, AVI, and other video and audio formats. Originally, Plex was only media server software, but the developers created the media player for file management and media streaming. Other than the common operating systems, you can also use Plex on other platforms, such as gaming consoles and smart TVs.

• Display various media content with ease.
• Include a built-in converter to change the formats and codecs.
• It can stream 4K content.
• Workable subscriptions and plans.

Bottom Line:

Plex offers basic media functions, even for a free account. Although, you need to be reminded that it requires you to subscribe to one of its plans to use its advanced features.

7UMPlayer

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

The video player for Windows 10 and 11 makes it easier to stream all your favorite movies, songs, and other media content. Although some users reported a minor delay to the playback, UMPlayer is still workable with its output settings. Furthermore, its customization tools help you to configure the visual and audio for refined overall quality.

• Best for basic mainstream on a desktop.
• Attractive and feature-rich interface.
• Free and accessible on many platforms.
• Lightweight but runs smoothly.

Bottom Line:

UMPlayer is a great free video player alternative for Windows OS. It supports various media formats and codecs, making it quicker to play your favorite media content.

8Kodi

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

The video player entices the users with its ability to play full HD and 4K content. You can also use Kodi for simultaneous streaming with the built-in media library. Kodi also has add-ons to expand its potential with more features.

• Use UPnP to stream content from the media center PC.
• Synchronize files from other Kodi accounts.
• Edit the metadata from the uploaded content.
• Support several emulators for older video games.

Bottom Line:

For such a great value, Kodi Player is free and accessible to everyone. It has a great deal of add-ons and plugins. Plus, you can even play some older video games with supported simulators.

9RealPlayer

Supported Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS

RealPlayer is a versatile video player, offering more functions like a video downloader and media editor. It can easily access your media files from local and cloud storage while supporting uploads of MP4, MOV, MKV, WMV, and so on. Additionally, it has an Android app version, so you can stream movies on your mobile anytime and anywhere.

• Quickly download movies from other sources.
• Set up passwords or pinned videos on the main menu.
• Select new quality and resolution.
• Compatible with platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Vimeo.

Bottom Line:

The video player consists of tools for mainstreaming, editing, and downloading. It is also a must-try for your mobile devices.

10PowerDVD

Supported Platforms: Windows

PowerDVD continues its reign as one of the best video players for Windows and Mac, and this is because of many things. First, it includes all the main features needed for professional streaming, including controls, effects, and screen sizes. Another thing with the player is its exceptional library build, catering to digital and physical media effortlessly.

• Quick to upload and play various content.
• Share video and audio files smoothly with other sources.
• Works well with desktop and TV playback.
• Build exceptionally for Windows OS.

Bottom Line:

PowerDVD might catch your attention with some of its extra features, but it also has drawbacks that you need to be aware of despite its greatness.

Part 3. FAQs about Video Player for Windows

• What is the best video player for a PC?

  Among all the video players recommended here, it is recommended to try Blu-ray Player. It is the top pick because of its sleek interface layout while providing smooth playback and high quality.

• Is the VLC player still good?

  As of today, VLC is still relevant for many. It is best to note that bugs are occasional unless you have an outdated system.

• Is VLC better than Windows?

  Unfortunately, yes. VLC supports more formats than Windows Media Player, which is a big deal for many users. Furthermore, it is more open to other functions with its extensive add-ons and plugins.

• Is KMPlayer better than VLC?

  VLC offers more features than KMPlayer. Another thing that surpasses KMPlayer is its availability to other platforms, providing the same functions and results.

Conclusion

To conclude, there are many video players for Windows that you can try. Thankfully, free versions are accessible if you need a decent movie night. Blu-ray Master Free Blu-ray Player can provide you with more than you expect. VLC is free and easy to use. KMPlayer … Each of them has unique and outstanding features for you. Try them today and experience a better binge-watching moment.