# VLC media player

The free, open-source media player that plays almost anything — no codec packs, no ads, no tracking, maintained by the VideoLAN project since the 1990s.

- **Category:** [Utilities](https://notchlist.vercel.app/category/utilities/)
- **Price:** Free
- **Open source:** yes
- **Official site:** https://www.videolan.org/vlc/
- **Available via:** Homebrew, Direct
- **Requirements:** macOS 10.7.5 or newer, Intel or Apple silicon
- **Maker:** VideoLAN

## Kitsmith's take

The one media player with a real claim to “just works” — MKV, WebM, obscure codecs, DVDs, and network streams all play without hunting for a separate codec pack, and it’s genuinely free with no upsell anywhere in the app. It looks its age next to a newer native player, but VideoLAN’s own line — completely free, “no spyware, no ads and no user tracking” — is a real differentiator most alternatives can’t make.

## Features

- **Plays nearly everything:** Files, discs, webcams, devices, and streams, including MPEG-2/4, H.264, MKV, WebM, and WMV with no separate codec packs.
- **Cross-platform:** Native builds for macOS (Intel and Apple silicon), Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- **Skins & extensions:** Customizable interface skins and a library of community extensions.

## FAQ

**Is VLC free?**

Yes, completely free and open source, with no ads or tracking, per VideoLAN’s own description.

**Who makes VLC?**

VideoLAN, an open-source project and community.

**Does VLC need separate codec packs?**

No — it plays most common video and audio formats out of the box.


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Hand-verified listing on Kitsmith: https://notchlist.vercel.app/apps/vlc-media-player/