VLC

VLC, originally the VideoLAN Client, is a free and open-source cross-platform multimedia player and streaming media server produced by the VideoLAN project. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and other Unix-like systems, as well as iOS and Android, and is available in desktop and portable variants. The project emphasizes broad format support, light installation, and a small footprint.

The software is designed to play a wide range of audio and video formats and containers, often with built-in codecs so users do not need external codec packs. In addition to local files, VLC can play network streams, webcams, and capture devices. It supports playing DVDs and audio CDs, and can handle various streaming protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, RTSP and RTP. VLC can also transcode and convert media for different devices and needs.

Under the hood, VLC is powered by the libVLC engine, providing a modular architecture for playback, streaming, and media processing. The program can be extended with plugins, skins, and extensions and offers features such as subtitles, video filters, playback speed control, and an equalizer. It emphasizes accessibility and portability, with options for command-line use and a wide range of platform-specific builds.

VLC is distributed as free and open-source software under the GNU General Public License, with ongoing development contributed by a global community of volunteers and organizations. It is widely used for everyday media playback and for network streaming tasks, and remains a core component of the VideoLAN multimedia project, which also develops related tools and services.