Best Media Player Codec Pack Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to Media Player Codec Pack? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Media Player Codec Pack alongside similar software solutions including Media Player Codec Pack, MPC-HC, WebM Project Directshow Filters, KMPlayer, PotPlayer, LAV Filters, VLC media player, Any Video Converter Free, Nero MediaHome, CyberLink PowerDVD and XMedia Recode.

Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Media Player Codec Pack, MPC-HC, WebM Project Directshow Filters, KMPlayer, PotPlayer, LAV Filters, VLC media player, Any Video Converter Free, Nero MediaHome, CyberLink PowerDVD and XMedia Recode stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	Supported Formats	Platform Compatibility	License and Cost
Media Player Codec Pack	Supports comprehensive codec support for numerous audio and video file formats including AAC, AC3, APE, DivX, DTS, H.264, MPEG-4, x264 and more.	Compatible with all versions of Windows media players on Windows operating systems including Windows XP and Vista.	Free to use without spyware or harmful content; easy installation process without hidden fees or ads beyond typical adware notices.
MPC-HC	Supports a wide range of audio and video formats including AVI, MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV, Blu-ray discs.	Compatible only with Windows operating systems; does not support Mac or Linux systems.	Completely free and open-source software supported via Patreon; no ads or paid versions.
WebM Project Directshow Filters	Enables WebM format support including VP8 video codec and Vorbis audio codec.	Designed for Windows platforms to work with DirectShow-based multimedia applications; Mac or Linux users are not supported.	Free and open-source software provided by Google under royalty-free license terms.
KMPlayer	Supports various audio and video file formats such as AAC, AVI, FLAC, MKV, MP4 among others including UHD 4K videos.	Available on Windows desktop and mobile versions for Android and iOS platforms.	Free media player software but includes some ads and bundled potentially unnecessary codecs or software components.
PotPlayer	Supports a wide range of audio and video formats including Blu-ray discs, DVDs, high-quality HDR video playback and many subtitle formats.	Supports Windows operating systems with additional mobile version support for Android devices; some compatibility issues on Linux and Mac.	Free multimedia player software that is ad-free but may have occasional stability issues; frequent updates available.
LAV Filters	Supports all popular video and audio formats as open-source DirectShow filters with extensive customization.	Designed for Windows operating systems supporting all DirectShow-based media players without known platform-specific issues.	Completely free open-source project licensed under GPL; no cost to users with extensive customization options.
VLC media player	Supports a vast range of multimedia file formats including AVI, MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DVD, streaming protocols and many subtitle formats.	Cross-platform availability on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X/macOS as well as Android mobile platforms.	Free and open-source multimedia player with no hidden costs or ads; actively developed by the VideoLAN organization.
Any Video Converter Free	Supports input and output of various video and audio formats including AAC, AVI, MKV, MOV, MP3, MP4, MPEG-2, WebM.	Available for both Windows and Mac operating systems supporting video conversion across platforms.	Free version offered without hidden fees or limitations but includes ads; premium features require payment.
Nero MediaHome	Supports various media files and formats including AVI, Blu-ray discs, CDs, DVDs, MOV, MP3, MP4 with integrated media player capability.	Designed primarily for Windows 7 SP1 or later; supports Android mobile devices and integrates with Apple AirPlay devices.	Offers a free trial version but is commercial software requiring purchase; includes customer support options.
CyberLink PowerDVD	Supports a variety of media files including 3D videos, 4K and Blu-ray playback with advanced support for DVDAudio formats like Dolby and DTS.	Available on Windows desktops; also supports Android devices and tablets with cloud storage integration features.	Commercial software offering a free trial version; various editions available with advanced features at cost.
XMedia Recode	Supports a wide range of audio and video file formats with an extensive list of codecs for input and output conversions.	Works on Windows operating systems only; no official support for Mac or Linux platforms.	Free to use without malware or viruses; open-source project providing legitimate software at no cost.

Supported Formats

Media Player Codec Pack	Supports comprehensive codec support for numerous audio and video file formats including AAC, AC3, APE, DivX, DTS, H.264, MPEG-4, x264 and more.
MPC-HC	Supports a wide range of audio and video formats including AVI, MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV, Blu-ray discs.
WebM Project Directshow Filters	Enables WebM format support including VP8 video codec and Vorbis audio codec.
KMPlayer	Supports various audio and video file formats such as AAC, AVI, FLAC, MKV, MP4 among others including UHD 4K videos.
PotPlayer	Supports a wide range of audio and video formats including Blu-ray discs, DVDs, high-quality HDR video playback and many subtitle formats.
LAV Filters	Supports all popular video and audio formats as open-source DirectShow filters with extensive customization.
VLC media player	Supports a vast range of multimedia file formats including AVI, MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DVD, streaming protocols and many subtitle formats.
Any Video Converter Free	Supports input and output of various video and audio formats including AAC, AVI, MKV, MOV, MP3, MP4, MPEG-2, WebM.
Nero MediaHome	Supports various media files and formats including AVI, Blu-ray discs, CDs, DVDs, MOV, MP3, MP4 with integrated media player capability.
CyberLink PowerDVD	Supports a variety of media files including 3D videos, 4K and Blu-ray playback with advanced support for DVDAudio formats like Dolby and DTS.
XMedia Recode	Supports a wide range of audio and video file formats with an extensive list of codecs for input and output conversions.

Platform Compatibility

Media Player Codec Pack	Compatible with all versions of Windows media players on Windows operating systems including Windows XP and Vista.
MPC-HC	Compatible only with Windows operating systems; does not support Mac or Linux systems.
WebM Project Directshow Filters	Designed for Windows platforms to work with DirectShow-based multimedia applications; Mac or Linux users are not supported.
KMPlayer	Available on Windows desktop and mobile versions for Android and iOS platforms.
PotPlayer	Supports Windows operating systems with additional mobile version support for Android devices; some compatibility issues on Linux and Mac.
LAV Filters	Designed for Windows operating systems supporting all DirectShow-based media players without known platform-specific issues.
VLC media player	Cross-platform availability on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X/macOS as well as Android mobile platforms.
Any Video Converter Free	Available for both Windows and Mac operating systems supporting video conversion across platforms.
Nero MediaHome	Designed primarily for Windows 7 SP1 or later; supports Android mobile devices and integrates with Apple AirPlay devices.
CyberLink PowerDVD	Available on Windows desktops; also supports Android devices and tablets with cloud storage integration features.
XMedia Recode	Works on Windows operating systems only; no official support for Mac or Linux platforms.

License and Cost

Media Player Codec Pack	Free to use without spyware or harmful content; easy installation process without hidden fees or ads beyond typical adware notices.
MPC-HC	Completely free and open-source software supported via Patreon; no ads or paid versions.
WebM Project Directshow Filters	Free and open-source software provided by Google under royalty-free license terms.
KMPlayer	Free media player software but includes some ads and bundled potentially unnecessary codecs or software components.
PotPlayer	Free multimedia player software that is ad-free but may have occasional stability issues; frequent updates available.
LAV Filters	Completely free open-source project licensed under GPL; no cost to users with extensive customization options.
VLC media player	Free and open-source multimedia player with no hidden costs or ads; actively developed by the VideoLAN organization.
Any Video Converter Free	Free version offered without hidden fees or limitations but includes ads; premium features require payment.
Nero MediaHome	Offers a free trial version but is commercial software requiring purchase; includes customer support options.
CyberLink PowerDVD	Commercial software offering a free trial version; various editions available with advanced features at cost.
XMedia Recode	Free to use without malware or viruses; open-source project providing legitimate software at no cost.

Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.

This quick comparison shows how Media Player Codec Pack stacks up against Media Player Codec Pack, MPC-HC, WebM Project Directshow Filters, KMPlayer, PotPlayer, LAV Filters, VLC media player, Any Video Converter Free, Nero MediaHome, CyberLink PowerDVD and XMedia Recode in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License	Popularity
Media Player Codec Pack	44.1MB	Freeware	0%
MPC-HC	21MB	Open Source	6%
WebM Project Directshow Filters	2.5MB	Freeware	5%
KMPlayer	46.1MB	Freeware	7%
PotPlayer		Freeware	10%
LAV Filters	7.4MB	Open Source	4%
VLC media player	40.1MB	Freeware	100%
Any Video Converter Free	49MB	Freeware	4%
Nero MediaHome	189.6MB	Freeware	5%
CyberLink PowerDVD	1.3MB	Commercial	9%
XMedia Recode	24.2MB	Freeware	3%

Size

Media Player Codec Pack	44.1MB
MPC-HC	21MB
WebM Project Directshow Filters	2.5MB
KMPlayer	46.1MB
PotPlayer
LAV Filters	7.4MB
VLC media player	40.1MB
Any Video Converter Free	49MB
Nero MediaHome	189.6MB
CyberLink PowerDVD	1.3MB
XMedia Recode	24.2MB

License

Media Player Codec Pack	Freeware
MPC-HC	Open Source
WebM Project Directshow Filters	Freeware
KMPlayer	Freeware
PotPlayer	Freeware
LAV Filters	Open Source
VLC media player	Freeware
Any Video Converter Free	Freeware
Nero MediaHome	Freeware
CyberLink PowerDVD	Commercial
XMedia Recode	Freeware

Rating

Media Player Codec Pack
MPC-HC
WebM Project Directshow Filters
KMPlayer
PotPlayer
LAV Filters
VLC media player
Any Video Converter Free
Nero MediaHome
CyberLink PowerDVD
XMedia Recode

Popularity

Media Player Codec Pack	0%
MPC-HC	6%
WebM Project Directshow Filters	5%
KMPlayer	7%
PotPlayer	10%
LAV Filters	4%
VLC media player	100%
Any Video Converter Free	4%
Nero MediaHome	5%
CyberLink PowerDVD	9%
XMedia Recode	3%