VLC
Free, open-source media player that handles almost any video or audio file you throw at it
by VideoLAN · listed Oct 19, 2026
Quick verdict
VLC is worth installing if you deal with mixed file formats or stream from a home server or network share. It costs nothing and has no ads or purchases, though the interface is more practical than pretty.
Best for People with video or audio files their phone's default player won't open, and anyone who wants the same free player on iPhone and Android.
Facts last verified Oct 19, 2026. How we review
VLC review
VLC is the mobile version of the long-running open-source media player from the non-profit VideoLAN project. It plays a wide range of video and audio formats without extra codecs, supports subtitles and multiple audio tracks, and can stream from network shares and other sources. It suits anyone who has files their phone's built-in player refuses to open, or who wants one player that behaves the same on iPhone and Android.
Why we picked it: It is genuinely free, with no ads or in-app purchases, and its format support is hard to match.
Watch out for: The interface is functional rather than polished, and the iOS version's ratings are middling, so some users find rough edges in library management and file transfer.
What we like
- Plays most video and audio formats without extra codecs
- Free with no ads and no in-app purchases
- Handles subtitles, multiple audio tracks and playback speed control
- Streams from network shares, media servers and web sources
- Open-source project run by a non-profit, so no data-harvesting business model behind it
What could be better
- Interface looks dated compared with newer players
- iOS rating is middling, with complaints about library management and file transfer
- Setting up network sources can take some fiddling for casual users
Questions about VLC
Is VLC really free?
Yes. It costs nothing to download, has no ads and no in-app purchases. It is developed by the non-profit VideoLAN project.
Does VLC work on both iPhone and Android?
Yes, there are versions for both. The core features are similar, so it behaves much the same on either phone.
Can I play files without an internet connection?
Yes. Files stored on your device play offline. You only need a connection when streaming from the web or syncing from cloud services.
Can VLC stream from a NAS or media server?
Yes. It supports network sources such as SMB, FTP, SFTP, NFS and UPnP/DLNA servers, plus web streams.
Why are the iPhone ratings lower than Android?
Reviews point to rough edges in library handling and getting files onto the device. Playback itself is rarely the complaint.
From the developer: how VLC describes itself
VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player. It can play all your movies, shows and music in most formats directly without conversion. It allows file synchronization with Dropbox, GDrive, OneDrive, Box, iCloud Drive, iTunes, direct downloads and through Wi-Fi sharing as well as streaming from SMB, FTP, SFTP, NFS, UPnP/DLNA media servers and the web. VLC offers support for advanced subtitles including full SSA compatibility, multi-track audio, playback speed control and rendering through Chromecast.
VLC is completely free and open source.
Text from the app store listing, quoted for reference. Our own take is above.
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