Best Free Media Players for Windows in 2026
Sep 2, 2026
One good media player saves you a pile of codec headaches. These play virtually anything, for free.
VLC Media Player
VLC plays practically every format with zero setup — the default recommendation for a reason.
mpv
mpv is a minimalist, keyboard-driven player with gorgeous high-quality video output.
PotPlayer
PotPlayer is endlessly configurable with built-in codecs and fine playback controls.
Kodi
Kodi turns your PC into a full home-theater media center with library and add-ons.
For music specifically, try foobar2000, MusicBee or AIMP. More in Multimedia.