In 2024, Top 8 Lightweight Video Editors for Smooth Performance

In 2024, Top 8 Lightweight Video Editors for Smooth Performance

Amelia Lv12

Top 8 Lightweight Video Editors for Smooth Performance

If you are new to video editing and you simply want to do basic editing to your video, you need a light video editor. There is no need for a heavyweight video editor that is generally used by professionals. Besides, an industry-grade video editor demands high-end computer as they put pressure on your system resources for video processing and rendering.

Therefore, if you do not have a high-end computer for video editing, a lightweight video editor is perfect for you. There are so many lightweight video editing software applications available to choose from for video editing. We have picked the best light video editing software for smooth and satisfying video editing work.

Part 1. The Features for Light Video Editor

Here are the main features of a good lightweight video editor that you should be aware of.

Small File Size – A light video editor comes in a small size file, and you will understand the file size when you download it on your computer. Ideally, a light video editor should not be above a couple of hundred MBs in size.

Wide OS Compatibility – A good light video editor should not only be compatible with the latest version of computer operating system but also with older versions. This is because older operating systems fail to run a heavyweight video editor smoothly.

Low System Requirements – Every video editor lists out their system requirements starting from processor version to RAM capacity and free disk space. A light video editor should have low system requirements such as 4GB RAM, 5GB free disk space, Intel i3 or likewise.

Low CPU Usage – How much CPU resource a video editor uses determines whether the video editor is truly lightweight. You can monitor how much CPU resource an application is using from Task Manager. For a light video editor, it should never be more than 33% of the total CPU usage at any given time.

Faster Processing – A lightweight video editor is generally faster in processing and rendering videos. They use different techniques such as compression, background processing and proxy workflow to boost processing speed without affecting system performance.

Part 2. Best Light Video Editors

Here is the list of the best light video editing software with complete review so that you can pick the best one for your video editing purposes.

1. Filmora

Best for: beginners as well as advanced users.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files from your hard drive.
  • Robust timeline to arrange photos, videos, and audio files.
  • Wide categories of transitions, effects and graphical elements.
  • Take screenshot from videos and instant preview of the changes.
  • Export in different file formats with adjusted video parameters.

Reason to avoid:

  • Video processing slightly on the slower side.

filmora

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.

Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.

2. Studio

Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.

System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
  • Advanced video masking and color grading options.
  • Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
  • Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
  • Advanced audio editing options.

Reason to avoid:

  • Some advanced features are not full-fledged.

pinnacle studio

Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.

You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.

3. OpenShot

Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files of different formats.
  • Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
  • 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
  • Dedicated audio editor and video templates.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.

openshot

OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.

The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.

4. ShotCut

Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
  • Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
  • Video masking, composting and color correction.
  • Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
  • Wide range of video editing options and tools.

Reason to avoid:

  • User interface takes time to understand all features.
  • Limited transitions and no stock media files.

shotcut

Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.

Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.

System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.

Reason to choose:

  • Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
  • Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
  • Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
  • Support for various video and audio formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
  • Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.

adobe premiere pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.

You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.

6. VideoPad Video Editor

Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
  • Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
  • Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
  • Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
  • Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.

Reason to avoid:

  • Limited range of transitions and effects.
  • Limited options for 3D video editing.

videopad video editor

VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.

Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.

7. VSDC Free Video Editor

Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.

System compatibility: Windows XP or above.

Reason to choose:

  • Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
  • Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
  • Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
  • Color correction and very low system requirements.
  • Supports importing and exporting different file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Advanced features are locked for premium users.

vsdc free video editor

VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.

You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.

8. Avidemux

Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Standard video options available.
  • Advanced video filters and effects.
  • Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
  • Super intuitive user interface.
  • Supports multiple file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not suitable for high-resolution videos.

avidemux

Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.

Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.

Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor

1. What is Light Video Editor?

Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.

2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.

3. What is the best free light video editor?

Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.

4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?

While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.

5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?

One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.

Reason to avoid:

  • Video processing slightly on the slower side.

filmora

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.

Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.

2. Studio

Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.

System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
  • Advanced video masking and color grading options.
  • Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
  • Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
  • Advanced audio editing options.

Reason to avoid:

  • Some advanced features are not full-fledged.

pinnacle studio

Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.

You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.

3. OpenShot

Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files of different formats.
  • Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
  • 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
  • Dedicated audio editor and video templates.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.

openshot

OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.

The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.

4. ShotCut

Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
  • Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
  • Video masking, composting and color correction.
  • Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
  • Wide range of video editing options and tools.

Reason to avoid:

  • User interface takes time to understand all features.
  • Limited transitions and no stock media files.

shotcut

Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.

Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.

System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.

Reason to choose:

  • Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
  • Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
  • Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
  • Support for various video and audio formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
  • Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.

adobe premiere pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.

You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.

6. VideoPad Video Editor

Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
  • Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
  • Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
  • Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
  • Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.

Reason to avoid:

  • Limited range of transitions and effects.
  • Limited options for 3D video editing.

videopad video editor

VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.

Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.

7. VSDC Free Video Editor

Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.

System compatibility: Windows XP or above.

Reason to choose:

  • Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
  • Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
  • Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
  • Color correction and very low system requirements.
  • Supports importing and exporting different file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Advanced features are locked for premium users.

vsdc free video editor

VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.

You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.

8. Avidemux

Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Standard video options available.
  • Advanced video filters and effects.
  • Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
  • Super intuitive user interface.
  • Supports multiple file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not suitable for high-resolution videos.

avidemux

Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.

Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.

Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor

1. What is Light Video Editor?

Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.

2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.

3. What is the best free light video editor?

Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.

4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?

While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.

5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?

One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.

Reason to avoid:

  • Video processing slightly on the slower side.

filmora

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.

Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.

2. Studio

Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.

System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
  • Advanced video masking and color grading options.
  • Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
  • Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
  • Advanced audio editing options.

Reason to avoid:

  • Some advanced features are not full-fledged.

pinnacle studio

Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.

You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.

3. OpenShot

Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files of different formats.
  • Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
  • 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
  • Dedicated audio editor and video templates.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.

openshot

OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.

The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.

4. ShotCut

Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
  • Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
  • Video masking, composting and color correction.
  • Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
  • Wide range of video editing options and tools.

Reason to avoid:

  • User interface takes time to understand all features.
  • Limited transitions and no stock media files.

shotcut

Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.

Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.

System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.

Reason to choose:

  • Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
  • Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
  • Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
  • Support for various video and audio formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
  • Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.

adobe premiere pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.

You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.

6. VideoPad Video Editor

Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
  • Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
  • Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
  • Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
  • Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.

Reason to avoid:

  • Limited range of transitions and effects.
  • Limited options for 3D video editing.

videopad video editor

VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.

Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.

7. VSDC Free Video Editor

Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.

System compatibility: Windows XP or above.

Reason to choose:

  • Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
  • Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
  • Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
  • Color correction and very low system requirements.
  • Supports importing and exporting different file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Advanced features are locked for premium users.

vsdc free video editor

VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.

You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.

8. Avidemux

Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Standard video options available.
  • Advanced video filters and effects.
  • Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
  • Super intuitive user interface.
  • Supports multiple file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not suitable for high-resolution videos.

avidemux

Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.

Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.

Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor

1. What is Light Video Editor?

Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.

2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.

3. What is the best free light video editor?

Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.

4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?

While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.

5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?

One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.

Reason to avoid:

  • Video processing slightly on the slower side.

filmora

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor that is tailor-made for both beginners as well as professionals. It is a premium video editor, and you should opt for it if you regularly edit videos. In fact, it is widely used by YouTubers and social media video creators. The software lets you record your screen and webcam video along with system and external mic sound. You can edit various video parameters such as aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate and likewise.

Coming to its editing features, you get a perfect blend of basic and advanced editing tools. You can trim, crop, split, join video clips as well as make videos from photos. You can import various media files of different formats including audio files. There are loads of transitions, effects, elements, texts, and stock media files. You can opt for greenscreen effect, apply stickers, correct colors, and much more.

2. Studio

Best for: Slightly advanced Windows users for advanced video editing.

System compatibility: Windows 11 and 10 (64 bit)

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect blend of standard and advanced video editing tools.
  • Advanced video masking and color grading options.
  • Tons of effects, filters, transitions, and overlays.
  • Edit multi-cam video and 360-degree video.
  • Advanced audio editing options.

Reason to avoid:

  • Some advanced features are not full-fledged.

pinnacle studio

Studio is a premium but light video editor that has some advanced video editing options. You will get all the basic video editing tools as well. You can publish cinema-grade videos with Studio. You can zoom video clips and edit frames accurately so that the video has no glitches and inconsistency in editing. The software allows you to edit multi-cam videos and make split-screen videos.

You can also record your screen and webcam with Studio. Apart from video editing, you can edit your audio files. There are options for color grading, blend modes and video making. Among the advanced features, you get motion and smart object tracking along with keyframing and editing 360-degree videos. The software comes with hardware acceleration to boost its performance.

3. OpenShot

Best for: those looking for a free light video editor.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Drag and drop media files of different formats.
  • Wide range of video filters and transition effects.
  • 3D objects and animations with Blender plugin.
  • Dedicated audio editor and video templates.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not so suitable for 4K resolution videos.

openshot

OpenShot is an open-source and cross-platform video editor that is compatible across all computer operating systems. It is completely free to use, and it has a good mixture of all basic and some advanced video editing options. You can import photos, video clips, and audio files as per your requirements as it supports a wide range of media file formats.

The user interface is simple, and hence, beginners will find it easy to use. The software has one of the lowest CPU resource usages among the lightweight video editors. You can trim, crop, resize, split and do all such video editing. You can adjust the speed of videos as well as correct video parameters. The software allows you to attach custom watermarks and overlays, and there is the option for time-mapping.

4. ShotCut

Best for: open-source video editor with standard and advanced features.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Import and export different file formats in high-resolution.
  • Chroma key, video stabilization, filters and transitions.
  • Video masking, composting and color correction.
  • Complete audio editor with filters and mixing.
  • Wide range of video editing options and tools.

Reason to avoid:

  • User interface takes time to understand all features.
  • Limited transitions and no stock media files.

shotcut

Shotcut is an open-source and cross-platform video editor. It has support for all the different media file formats, and it supports 4K resolution. You can use the software to capture webcam and screen video as well as audio narration. You can also import different file formats for photos. There are various audio features available starting from audio filters to audio mixing.

Shotcut comes with a large set of transitions, effects, and filters. It supports video stabilization and deinterlacing as well as blending modes. You can edit video speed, reserve video clips, correct colors, and imperfections easily. There is a multi-track timeline available for easy video making and editing.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for: premium video editor for advanced Windows users.

System compatibility: Windows 10 and 11.

Reason to choose:

  • Wide range of video effects, transitions, and templates.
  • Edit 3D, VR, and multicam and 360-dgree videos as well as audio.
  • Suitable for collaborative video editing and robust timeline.
  • Support for various video and audio formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Reports of lagging in low-end computers.
  • Steep learning curve to understand the user interface.

adobe premiere pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is undoubtedly the best lightweight video editor Windows 10 for advanced video editors. Even though it is relatively less lightweight, you can do basic video editing on computers which do not have high-end hardware. Apart from basic editing, you can create industry-grade videos with the editing options available on the software.

You may need some training and lessons could be high useful for smooth editing. The software supports teamwork and collaborative video editing. You can edit VR and 3D videos as well as audio. The user interface is complicated, but it is highly customizable and flexible. The timeline is quite advanced and it is a complete video editor with full-fledged features.

6. VideoPad Video Editor

Best for: those who are looking for a video as well as audio editor.

System compatibility: Windows and Mac.

Reason to choose:

  • Perfect combination of standard video and audio editing options.
  • Video templates for intro, outro, and themed videos.
  • Lossless exporting of videos in different formats.
  • Video stabilization, color correction, and plugin support.
  • Supports 4K video and share directly on YouTube.

Reason to avoid:

  • Limited range of transitions and effects.
  • Limited options for 3D video editing.

videopad video editor

VideoPad Video Editor from NCH Software comes with a simple user interface, and hence, it is suitable for beginners. There is a wide category of transitions and effects available. It is the perfect combination video and audio editor. The software can process the videos faster, and it supports so many different types of media file formats.

Even though it is a rather simple video editor, it is quite powerful where you can edit 3D and e60-degree videos. Besides, there are options for 3D texts and tiles, chroma key, custom logos, and animations. Moreover, you can choose from different templates for intro and outro part of your videos. The audio editor is quite useful for mixing tracks, adding effects, and record own narration.

7. VSDC Free Video Editor

Best for: those who have very low end and outdated PCs.

System compatibility: Windows XP or above.

Reason to choose:

  • Zoom and edit option, 360-degree video editing.
  • Large set of video effects, transitions and filters.
  • Chroma key option and PiP and split screen effect.
  • Color correction and very low system requirements.
  • Supports importing and exporting different file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Advanced features are locked for premium users.

vsdc free video editor

VSDC is a free suite where you get video editor and audio editor for free. Coming specifically to VSDC Free Video Editor, all the features are available for free without any watermark. However, there is a Pro version available with more advance video editing features. The software supports a wide range of media file formats.

You can zoom and edit accurately. You can even edit 360-degree videos without any issue. There are options for color correction, greenscreen effects and visualizations. You can choose from a large set of video effects and filters. The best part is that VSDC Free Video Editor is suitable for very low-end systems.

8. Avidemux

Best for: those looking for a free video editor for basic editing.

System compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Reason to choose:

  • Standard video options available.
  • Advanced video filters and effects.
  • Custom scripting and advanced interlacing.
  • Super intuitive user interface.
  • Supports multiple file formats.

Reason to avoid:

  • Not suitable for high-resolution videos.

avidemux

Avidemux from Sourceforge is a light video editing software free. The software is suitable for basic editing only. It is extremely lightweight, and it supports a limited resolution of videos. You can cut crop, trim videos, add filters to them, and perform encoding tasks. The software supports various import and export file formats.

Avidemux also has basic audio editing options, and you can publish compressed videos in rather small file sizes. There is also option for custom scripting, and you can automate common tasks easily. It belongs to the open-source video editor category, and hence, it is completely free to use for all purposes.

Part 3. FAQs about Light Video Editor

1. What is Light Video Editor?

Light Video Editor is a user-friendly video editing software that allows users to edit and create videos quickly and easily. The software includes features such as trimming, merging, cropping, adding music, and more.

2. what is the best lightweight video editor for windows?

Wondershare Filmora is the best lightweight video editor for Windows as well as Mac users. Even though the software is world-class as a video editing software, it does not demand high CPU usage and does not high system requirements.

3. What is the best free light video editor?

Shotcut is the best free light video editor, and it is available for all computer operating systems. If you have a very low-end computer, VSDC Free Video Editor is the best free light video editor for you.

4. Can I use a light video editor for professional projects?

While a light video editor may not have all the features of a professional video editor, it can still be used for professional projects such as short promotional videos, social media content, or simple marketing videos. It can be a great option for those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software.

5. What are the benefits of using a light video editor?

One of the main benefits of using a light video editor is its simplicity and ease of use. It can be a great option for beginners or those who need to quickly edit and produce videos without spending a lot of time learning a complex software. It is also usually more affordable than a full-featured video editor and can still produce high-quality videos for personal or professional use.

Top Mac Video Editing Software Options Beyond Pinnacle Studio

Best Alternatives of Pinnacle Studio on Mac

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Studio is a video editing software for Windows. There is no version of Studio that runs on Macs, but don’t fret! Check our recommendations below to find your best bet in terms of alternative options that will successfully edit videos on macOS as well.

Studio is designed for anyone new to video editing as well as professionals. believes that there is no one-size-fits-all. There are three tiers of Studio that are designed suited to suit each individual’s editing needs. Studio comes in three plans: Studio 25, Studio 25 Plus, and Studio 25 Ultimate.

<!-- Pinnacle --> Studio

The Studio 25 is the basic version of the software and costs $59.95. The other two advanced versions: Studio 25 Plus and Studio 25 Ultimate, cost $99.95, and $129.95, respectively. There are no monthly or yearly subscriptions. You pay once, and you can use the software as long as you want.

The top-tier version, Studio 25 Ultimate, includes all the features of Studio 25 and Studio 25 Plus. These are:

  • Editing across unlimited tracks
  • 8K Import
  • Advanced Color Grading
  • Multi-camera editing for six cameras
  • 100+ MyDVD menu templates
  • Keyframe controls
  • Motion Tracking with Mosaic Blur

Part 1: Best Alternative - Wondershare Filmora for Mac

With Wondershare Filmora for Mac, you can create great-looking movies on your computer. The software supports various media files and gives access to many sample data and multiple video editing options. You will be able to export the final product in various output formats without any loss of quality.

One unique feature of Filmora for Mac is sharing video clips directly to YouTube, Vimeo, or Facebook from the interface. Other notable features include motion tracking, keyframing, creating fun clips with effects, filters, titles, creating custom backgrounds or special effects with green screen, motion elements, cropping videos for different aspect ratios, color matching, auto reframing, audio ducking, and more.

Editing and previewing your video clips in Filmora is a breeze because of exclusive features specially designed for Mac computers. For instance, hardware acceleration makes editing videos faster and smoother on Macs than ever before. Moreover, the Touch Bar has full support so that you can view your footage much easier when scrolling through the timeline.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

Part 2: Top 3 Studio for Mac Alternatives

1. Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is a professional video editing software from Apple for anybody looking for a more powerful video editor for their Macs than the included iMovie. The software is also an excellent alternative for professionals creating content for TV and cinema. The latest version runs natively on M1 chip; you can expect apparent video editing improvements.

New features include transcoding media files automatically when copying or consolidating projects and downloadable user guides. Other highlighted recent features include Smart Conform, stabilization for 360-degree videos, performance improvements with RED and Canon RAW files, Inspector panel improvements, and audio crossfades.

Final Cut Pro

Price: $299 (onetime payment, no subscription)

Pros:

  • Fast and superb performance
  • Works perfectly with Apple computers
  • 360-degree video and HDR Support
  • Multicam support

Cons:

  • Lacks motion tracking and stabilization for 360-degree videos
  • Integration with Adobe software seems problematic

2. Lightworks

Another free video editing software that works as a good replacement for pinnacle studio for Mac is Lightworks. It’s packed with many useful features, and although there is paid version, the free version has all the bells and whistles needed for beginners.

However, if you’re working with 4K videos for YouTube or Vimeo—you need to get the paid version of Lightworks as this feature isn’t available in the free version. The paid version costs $25 a month. The free version includes multi-cam support, high-precision video trimming, video exports at 720p, and support for most video formats.

Lightworks

Price: $25/month

Pros:

  • Has many video tutorials
  • Intuitive interface and easy to use
  • The free version is ideal for beginners

Cons:

  • No 4K video support in the free version
  • Lacks predefined filters and effects

3. OpenShot

With easy-to-use features, a simple interface, and real-time previews for transitions between clips, unlimited layers, and audio mixing capabilities, OpenShot is one of the top free video editing software around. One of the best things about OpenShot is that its interface allows for easy-to-use drag and drop features. If you’re a Mac user and looking for a free, open-source video editor that packs more features than iMovie—OpenShot is a great alternative you can’t miss.

With OpenShot’s special effects engine, users can modify, reverse, slow up or slow down videos, and preview projects in real-time. Furthermore, other standard features of OpenShot include composition, image overlays, clip resizing, trimming, snapping, scaling, watermarks, video transitions, title templates, creating personalized SVG vector titles, desktop integration, adjusting fonts, colors, 3D animated titles, and more.

Lightworks

Price: Free, Open Source

Pros:

  • Ideal for beginners
  • Unlimited layers
  • Professional transitions and effects
  • Runs on entry-levels hardware

Cons

  • Exporting videos isn’t the fastest

Conclusion

Studio is a video editor that works well on Windows or Linux computers but lacks support for Macs. This article lists some great options as Studio alternatives on macOS, including Wondershare Filmora for Mac. We think this would be your best pick, given how easy-to-use this program will be, even if you are new to editing videos. Besides, there isn’t much learning curve here due to the software’s intuitive interface and amazing functionalities. And Wondershare Filmora for Mac is the one that can satisfy amateurs and professionals!

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Studio is a video editing software for Windows. There is no version of Studio that runs on Macs, but don’t fret! Check our recommendations below to find your best bet in terms of alternative options that will successfully edit videos on macOS as well.

Studio is designed for anyone new to video editing as well as professionals. believes that there is no one-size-fits-all. There are three tiers of Studio that are designed suited to suit each individual’s editing needs. Studio comes in three plans: Studio 25, Studio 25 Plus, and Studio 25 Ultimate.

<!-- Pinnacle --> Studio

The Studio 25 is the basic version of the software and costs $59.95. The other two advanced versions: Studio 25 Plus and Studio 25 Ultimate, cost $99.95, and $129.95, respectively. There are no monthly or yearly subscriptions. You pay once, and you can use the software as long as you want.

The top-tier version, Studio 25 Ultimate, includes all the features of Studio 25 and Studio 25 Plus. These are:

  • Editing across unlimited tracks
  • 8K Import
  • Advanced Color Grading
  • Multi-camera editing for six cameras
  • 100+ MyDVD menu templates
  • Keyframe controls
  • Motion Tracking with Mosaic Blur

Part 1: Best Alternative - Wondershare Filmora for Mac

With Wondershare Filmora for Mac, you can create great-looking movies on your computer. The software supports various media files and gives access to many sample data and multiple video editing options. You will be able to export the final product in various output formats without any loss of quality.

One unique feature of Filmora for Mac is sharing video clips directly to YouTube, Vimeo, or Facebook from the interface. Other notable features include motion tracking, keyframing, creating fun clips with effects, filters, titles, creating custom backgrounds or special effects with green screen, motion elements, cropping videos for different aspect ratios, color matching, auto reframing, audio ducking, and more.

Editing and previewing your video clips in Filmora is a breeze because of exclusive features specially designed for Mac computers. For instance, hardware acceleration makes editing videos faster and smoother on Macs than ever before. Moreover, the Touch Bar has full support so that you can view your footage much easier when scrolling through the timeline.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

Part 2: Top 3 Studio for Mac Alternatives

1. Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is a professional video editing software from Apple for anybody looking for a more powerful video editor for their Macs than the included iMovie. The software is also an excellent alternative for professionals creating content for TV and cinema. The latest version runs natively on M1 chip; you can expect apparent video editing improvements.

New features include transcoding media files automatically when copying or consolidating projects and downloadable user guides. Other highlighted recent features include Smart Conform, stabilization for 360-degree videos, performance improvements with RED and Canon RAW files, Inspector panel improvements, and audio crossfades.

Final Cut Pro

Price: $299 (onetime payment, no subscription)

Pros:

  • Fast and superb performance
  • Works perfectly with Apple computers
  • 360-degree video and HDR Support
  • Multicam support

Cons:

  • Lacks motion tracking and stabilization for 360-degree videos
  • Integration with Adobe software seems problematic

2. Lightworks

Another free video editing software that works as a good replacement for pinnacle studio for Mac is Lightworks. It’s packed with many useful features, and although there is paid version, the free version has all the bells and whistles needed for beginners.

However, if you’re working with 4K videos for YouTube or Vimeo—you need to get the paid version of Lightworks as this feature isn’t available in the free version. The paid version costs $25 a month. The free version includes multi-cam support, high-precision video trimming, video exports at 720p, and support for most video formats.

Lightworks

Price: $25/month

Pros:

  • Has many video tutorials
  • Intuitive interface and easy to use
  • The free version is ideal for beginners

Cons:

  • No 4K video support in the free version
  • Lacks predefined filters and effects

3. OpenShot

With easy-to-use features, a simple interface, and real-time previews for transitions between clips, unlimited layers, and audio mixing capabilities, OpenShot is one of the top free video editing software around. One of the best things about OpenShot is that its interface allows for easy-to-use drag and drop features. If you’re a Mac user and looking for a free, open-source video editor that packs more features than iMovie—OpenShot is a great alternative you can’t miss.

With OpenShot’s special effects engine, users can modify, reverse, slow up or slow down videos, and preview projects in real-time. Furthermore, other standard features of OpenShot include composition, image overlays, clip resizing, trimming, snapping, scaling, watermarks, video transitions, title templates, creating personalized SVG vector titles, desktop integration, adjusting fonts, colors, 3D animated titles, and more.

Lightworks

Price: Free, Open Source

Pros:

  • Ideal for beginners
  • Unlimited layers
  • Professional transitions and effects
  • Runs on entry-levels hardware

Cons

  • Exporting videos isn’t the fastest

Conclusion

Studio is a video editor that works well on Windows or Linux computers but lacks support for Macs. This article lists some great options as Studio alternatives on macOS, including Wondershare Filmora for Mac. We think this would be your best pick, given how easy-to-use this program will be, even if you are new to editing videos. Besides, there isn’t much learning curve here due to the software’s intuitive interface and amazing functionalities. And Wondershare Filmora for Mac is the one that can satisfy amateurs and professionals!

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Studio is a video editing software for Windows. There is no version of Studio that runs on Macs, but don’t fret! Check our recommendations below to find your best bet in terms of alternative options that will successfully edit videos on macOS as well.

Studio is designed for anyone new to video editing as well as professionals. believes that there is no one-size-fits-all. There are three tiers of Studio that are designed suited to suit each individual’s editing needs. Studio comes in three plans: Studio 25, Studio 25 Plus, and Studio 25 Ultimate.

<!-- Pinnacle --> Studio

The Studio 25 is the basic version of the software and costs $59.95. The other two advanced versions: Studio 25 Plus and Studio 25 Ultimate, cost $99.95, and $129.95, respectively. There are no monthly or yearly subscriptions. You pay once, and you can use the software as long as you want.

The top-tier version, Studio 25 Ultimate, includes all the features of Studio 25 and Studio 25 Plus. These are:

  • Editing across unlimited tracks
  • 8K Import
  • Advanced Color Grading
  • Multi-camera editing for six cameras
  • 100+ MyDVD menu templates
  • Keyframe controls
  • Motion Tracking with Mosaic Blur

Part 1: Best Alternative - Wondershare Filmora for Mac

With Wondershare Filmora for Mac, you can create great-looking movies on your computer. The software supports various media files and gives access to many sample data and multiple video editing options. You will be able to export the final product in various output formats without any loss of quality.

One unique feature of Filmora for Mac is sharing video clips directly to YouTube, Vimeo, or Facebook from the interface. Other notable features include motion tracking, keyframing, creating fun clips with effects, filters, titles, creating custom backgrounds or special effects with green screen, motion elements, cropping videos for different aspect ratios, color matching, auto reframing, audio ducking, and more.

Editing and previewing your video clips in Filmora is a breeze because of exclusive features specially designed for Mac computers. For instance, hardware acceleration makes editing videos faster and smoother on Macs than ever before. Moreover, the Touch Bar has full support so that you can view your footage much easier when scrolling through the timeline.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

Part 2: Top 3 Studio for Mac Alternatives

1. Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is a professional video editing software from Apple for anybody looking for a more powerful video editor for their Macs than the included iMovie. The software is also an excellent alternative for professionals creating content for TV and cinema. The latest version runs natively on M1 chip; you can expect apparent video editing improvements.

New features include transcoding media files automatically when copying or consolidating projects and downloadable user guides. Other highlighted recent features include Smart Conform, stabilization for 360-degree videos, performance improvements with RED and Canon RAW files, Inspector panel improvements, and audio crossfades.

Final Cut Pro

Price: $299 (onetime payment, no subscription)

Pros:

  • Fast and superb performance
  • Works perfectly with Apple computers
  • 360-degree video and HDR Support
  • Multicam support

Cons:

  • Lacks motion tracking and stabilization for 360-degree videos
  • Integration with Adobe software seems problematic

2. Lightworks

Another free video editing software that works as a good replacement for pinnacle studio for Mac is Lightworks. It’s packed with many useful features, and although there is paid version, the free version has all the bells and whistles needed for beginners.

However, if you’re working with 4K videos for YouTube or Vimeo—you need to get the paid version of Lightworks as this feature isn’t available in the free version. The paid version costs $25 a month. The free version includes multi-cam support, high-precision video trimming, video exports at 720p, and support for most video formats.

Lightworks

Price: $25/month

Pros:

  • Has many video tutorials
  • Intuitive interface and easy to use
  • The free version is ideal for beginners

Cons:

  • No 4K video support in the free version
  • Lacks predefined filters and effects

3. OpenShot

With easy-to-use features, a simple interface, and real-time previews for transitions between clips, unlimited layers, and audio mixing capabilities, OpenShot is one of the top free video editing software around. One of the best things about OpenShot is that its interface allows for easy-to-use drag and drop features. If you’re a Mac user and looking for a free, open-source video editor that packs more features than iMovie—OpenShot is a great alternative you can’t miss.

With OpenShot’s special effects engine, users can modify, reverse, slow up or slow down videos, and preview projects in real-time. Furthermore, other standard features of OpenShot include composition, image overlays, clip resizing, trimming, snapping, scaling, watermarks, video transitions, title templates, creating personalized SVG vector titles, desktop integration, adjusting fonts, colors, 3D animated titles, and more.

Lightworks

Price: Free, Open Source

Pros:

  • Ideal for beginners
  • Unlimited layers
  • Professional transitions and effects
  • Runs on entry-levels hardware

Cons

  • Exporting videos isn’t the fastest

Conclusion

Studio is a video editor that works well on Windows or Linux computers but lacks support for Macs. This article lists some great options as Studio alternatives on macOS, including Wondershare Filmora for Mac. We think this would be your best pick, given how easy-to-use this program will be, even if you are new to editing videos. Besides, there isn’t much learning curve here due to the software’s intuitive interface and amazing functionalities. And Wondershare Filmora for Mac is the one that can satisfy amateurs and professionals!

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Studio is a video editing software for Windows. There is no version of Studio that runs on Macs, but don’t fret! Check our recommendations below to find your best bet in terms of alternative options that will successfully edit videos on macOS as well.

Studio is designed for anyone new to video editing as well as professionals. believes that there is no one-size-fits-all. There are three tiers of Studio that are designed suited to suit each individual’s editing needs. Studio comes in three plans: Studio 25, Studio 25 Plus, and Studio 25 Ultimate.

<!-- Pinnacle --> Studio

The Studio 25 is the basic version of the software and costs $59.95. The other two advanced versions: Studio 25 Plus and Studio 25 Ultimate, cost $99.95, and $129.95, respectively. There are no monthly or yearly subscriptions. You pay once, and you can use the software as long as you want.

The top-tier version, Studio 25 Ultimate, includes all the features of Studio 25 and Studio 25 Plus. These are:

  • Editing across unlimited tracks
  • 8K Import
  • Advanced Color Grading
  • Multi-camera editing for six cameras
  • 100+ MyDVD menu templates
  • Keyframe controls
  • Motion Tracking with Mosaic Blur

Part 1: Best Alternative - Wondershare Filmora for Mac

With Wondershare Filmora for Mac, you can create great-looking movies on your computer. The software supports various media files and gives access to many sample data and multiple video editing options. You will be able to export the final product in various output formats without any loss of quality.

One unique feature of Filmora for Mac is sharing video clips directly to YouTube, Vimeo, or Facebook from the interface. Other notable features include motion tracking, keyframing, creating fun clips with effects, filters, titles, creating custom backgrounds or special effects with green screen, motion elements, cropping videos for different aspect ratios, color matching, auto reframing, audio ducking, and more.

Editing and previewing your video clips in Filmora is a breeze because of exclusive features specially designed for Mac computers. For instance, hardware acceleration makes editing videos faster and smoother on Macs than ever before. Moreover, the Touch Bar has full support so that you can view your footage much easier when scrolling through the timeline.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

Part 2: Top 3 Studio for Mac Alternatives

1. Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro is a professional video editing software from Apple for anybody looking for a more powerful video editor for their Macs than the included iMovie. The software is also an excellent alternative for professionals creating content for TV and cinema. The latest version runs natively on M1 chip; you can expect apparent video editing improvements.

New features include transcoding media files automatically when copying or consolidating projects and downloadable user guides. Other highlighted recent features include Smart Conform, stabilization for 360-degree videos, performance improvements with RED and Canon RAW files, Inspector panel improvements, and audio crossfades.

Final Cut Pro

Price: $299 (onetime payment, no subscription)

Pros:

  • Fast and superb performance
  • Works perfectly with Apple computers
  • 360-degree video and HDR Support
  • Multicam support

Cons:

  • Lacks motion tracking and stabilization for 360-degree videos
  • Integration with Adobe software seems problematic

2. Lightworks

Another free video editing software that works as a good replacement for pinnacle studio for Mac is Lightworks. It’s packed with many useful features, and although there is paid version, the free version has all the bells and whistles needed for beginners.

However, if you’re working with 4K videos for YouTube or Vimeo—you need to get the paid version of Lightworks as this feature isn’t available in the free version. The paid version costs $25 a month. The free version includes multi-cam support, high-precision video trimming, video exports at 720p, and support for most video formats.

Lightworks

Price: $25/month

Pros:

  • Has many video tutorials
  • Intuitive interface and easy to use
  • The free version is ideal for beginners

Cons:

  • No 4K video support in the free version
  • Lacks predefined filters and effects

3. OpenShot

With easy-to-use features, a simple interface, and real-time previews for transitions between clips, unlimited layers, and audio mixing capabilities, OpenShot is one of the top free video editing software around. One of the best things about OpenShot is that its interface allows for easy-to-use drag and drop features. If you’re a Mac user and looking for a free, open-source video editor that packs more features than iMovie—OpenShot is a great alternative you can’t miss.

With OpenShot’s special effects engine, users can modify, reverse, slow up or slow down videos, and preview projects in real-time. Furthermore, other standard features of OpenShot include composition, image overlays, clip resizing, trimming, snapping, scaling, watermarks, video transitions, title templates, creating personalized SVG vector titles, desktop integration, adjusting fonts, colors, 3D animated titles, and more.

Lightworks

Price: Free, Open Source

Pros:

  • Ideal for beginners
  • Unlimited layers
  • Professional transitions and effects
  • Runs on entry-levels hardware

Cons

  • Exporting videos isn’t the fastest

Conclusion

Studio is a video editor that works well on Windows or Linux computers but lacks support for Macs. This article lists some great options as Studio alternatives on macOS, including Wondershare Filmora for Mac. We think this would be your best pick, given how easy-to-use this program will be, even if you are new to editing videos. Besides, there isn’t much learning curve here due to the software’s intuitive interface and amazing functionalities. And Wondershare Filmora for Mac is the one that can satisfy amateurs and professionals!

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Discover the Best Free DVD Player for Windows 10: Top 10 List

10 Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

As it is now the second decade of the 21st century, data carriers like DVDs are slowly becoming obsolete. A growing number of laptop and desktop PCs no longer feature optical disc drives, while the discontinuation of the Windows Media Center marked the end of an era in which Windows OS offered a built-in DVD player.

The Windows 10 doesn’t have a native app that enables you to play movies or music from DVD and Blu-ray discs, and you must install a third-party DVDvideo player if you want to view content from these sources. Luckily there is no shortage of media players that are compatible with Windows 10, so in this article, we are going to take you through some of the best free DVD players on the market and help you choose the one that meets all your needs.

Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

Before you opt for one DVD player or the other you must first check which audio and video file formats they support or find out if you can use them to play Blu-ray discs. You should also check a player’s compatibility with the operating system you have installed on your computer and that you have all the codecs necessary to play ISO and other image, audio and video file format. So let’s take a look at ten best free DVD players for Windows 10.

1. VLC Media Player by VideoLan

Over the course of the last two decades, VLC has established itself as one of the most versatile media players ever created. This cross-platform app can be used on Macs, PCs, Linux computers and Smartphones to play different types of audio, image and video files. In fact, VLC is probably the most reliable DVD player you can find, as it allows you to play DVD and Blu-ray discs effortlessly. However, if you want to watch videos in 4K or 8K resolution, you must install the VLC 3.0 Vetinari update of the media player.

What’s more, playing a DVD or a Blu-ray with VLC is a simple task you can complete in just a few clicks. The Open Disc option that is located in the player’s Media menu enables you to choose if you would like to open a DVD, VCD, Audio CD or Blu-ray disc. Moreover, you won’t need to install additional or MPEG-4 codecs, since VLC can play the vast majority of video files regardless of the codec they are using.

Pros

  • Available to all PC and Mac users for free
  • The most versatile media player on the market
  • Offers basic video editing options
  • Powerful subtitle syncing tools

Cons

  • The playback of 4K or 8K video files can be choppy

2. PotPlayer

If you are looking for a DVD player that is compatible with all versions of Windows that were released since Windows Vista, PotPlayer might be one of your best options. Besides providing support for all commonly used video file formats and allowing you to play DVDs, Blu-rays or audio CDs, PotPlayer also offers support for different types of 3D glasses. This Windows-based media player is equipped with enhanced H/W Acceleration technology that enables the software to assist the CPU and GPU during the playback of demanding video files.

PotPlayer has all the codecs that are required for the playback of various types of multimedia files, so you don’t have to waste time searching for the codec packs that make possible playing video and audio content that is stored on DVDs or Blu-rays. The media player lets you choose a sound card in case you have more just than one and it supports SRT and SMI, VOB and Blu-ray subtitles.

Pros

  • Full OpenCodec support
  • Provides a unique 3D viewing experience
  • Enables users to bookmark chapters
  • Compatible with TV, DVD and HDTV devices

Cons

  • Audio playback options could be better

3. BlazeDVD

This is a powerful multimedia player that enables you to watch even region coded and CSS-encrypted DVDs. However, the free version of BlazeDVD doesn’t allow you to open region coded DVDs and Blu-rays or add subtitles to your files. So if you want to gain access to all the features this DVD player has to offer, you must make a one-time payment of $49.96 and upgrade to its Pro version. Both versions of BlazeDVD let you play DVDs, VCDs or SVCDs and allow you to choose between different playback modes.

The Surround Sound support enhances the audio playback and provides a theater-like experience to the viewers. Moreover, you can choose between ten audio filters you can apply to media files you open with BlazeDVD or use the Parental Control feature if you want to restrict the access to violent content to your children. Creating slideshows from still images or recording videos in an MPEG2 file format are also among the options you are going to have at your disposal if you opt for the paid version of BlazeDVD.

Pros

  • Excellent audio playback capabilities
  • Features a learning mode
  • Equipped with the Smart Stretch technology
  • Multi-core CPU acceleration features enhance the video and audio playback

Cons

  • The free version of BlazeDVD offers only limited DVD and Blu-ray playback options

4. 5KPlayer

In case you are looking for a perfect DVD player for your home theater, 5KPlayer is probably one of the best options you can find on the market. PC and Mac users can install this DVD player on their devices for free and even use it to capture screens in 4K resolution. The AirPlay technology enables mirroring, while you can also use 5KPlayer to download videos from more than 300 websites including platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

This media player offers a smooth playback of 4K, Full HD and 360° videos, and it enables you to stream audio and video via its DLNA and AirPlay features. Its DXVA2 hardware acceleration helps render HDR 4K and 8K videos in MTS, MKV or VR 360° formats. What’s more 5KPlayer can detect and play stereo, Dolby or DTS multichannel surround sound in MP3, WMA or FLAC file formats. This cross-platform multimedia player is equipped with a built-in radio player and it supports all common subtitle file formats.

Pros

  • Offers support for a broad range of audio and video files
  • Excellent screen capturing tools
  • Enables users to download video content from Facebook, Dailymotion, YouTube or Vimeo
  • Amazing streaming capabilities

Cons

  • No Blu-ray support

5. GOM Media Player

Over the years, GOM has emerged as one of the most versatile DVD players for Windows 10 and all other earlier versions of the OS. Its video playback features are nothing short of amazing since GOM enables you to play videos in various resolutions and file formats. However, if you would like to use this media player to open Blu-ray discs you must ensure that you have the necessary codecs. Even so, GOM features a variety of built-in codecs such as Vobris, H263, MP42 or XVID that ensure you can open almost all types of video files.

Besides stunning video playback capabilities that even allow you to view 360° VR videos, GOM also features an extensive subtitle library. The media player searches for subtitles automatically and if it finds a subtitle for a particular video it adds them automatically. Upgrading to the paid version of the GOM media player can be a good idea if you want to get rid of ads or make sure that the playback of 4K UHD video files is smooth.

Pros

  • Quick and easy installation process
  • A rich subtitle library
  • Supports a broad range of audio and video files
  • Low system requirements

Cons

  • Additional codecs are required for the playback of Blu-ray discs

6. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema)

Even though it has been more than two years since the last and probably the final version of MPC-HC has been released, this media player is still one of the best ways to play DVDs and Blu-rays on Windows 10. The video and audio playback tools MPC-HC has to offer cannot be compared to those provided by VLC or even GOM media player as it only features the basic options you need to play a DVD or a Blu-ray disc. Moreover, the process of playing a DVD with MPC-HC is quite technical as you must adjust the media player’s settings in order to play content from that source.

The codecs you will have to install on your PC depends on the type of content you would like to watch. MPC-HC provides support for or codecs, but it is better to install a full codec pack and ensure that you have all the codecs you need to play audio and video files. Furthermore, playing videos in 4K resolution with MPC-HC is not possible, but you can use it as a DVB player if you want to broadcast videos from your PC to other devices.

Pros

  • Ad-free
  • Smooth playback of Blu-ray and DVD discs
  • Supports all common audio and video file formats
  • Different toolbar skins are available

Cons

  • Basic audio and video playback options

7. KMPlayer

This modernly and elegantly designed media player lets you watch 3D, 4K or UHD videos regardless of the format in which they are saved. The KMPlayer features all codecs it needs to play different types of audio and video files, so you don’t have to look for codecs you need to open a particular media file. You can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit PC versions of KMPlayer, or opt to use this media player on an Android or iPhone device.

Adding subtitles to a video in KMPlayer is an effortless process that won’t take more than a couple of clicks. Besides the remarkable video playback options, KMPlayer also allows you to listen to music through its music player and enables you to download videos from Instagram, Daily Motion or YouTube. The media player also lets you capture audio and video files and save them in virtually any format you want.

Pros

  • Displays high-resolution files accurately and without delay
  • Performs well on older PC configurations
  • Easy subtitle setup
  • Offers basic screen capturing options

Cons

  • No stereo sound support

8. PowerDVD 19

PowerDVD is arguably the best DVD player for Windows ever created, and it is no surprise that its latest version offers a wide range of audio and video playback options. PowerDVD 19 is available in Standard, Pro and Ultra versions that are all differently priced and provide different video and audio playback features. The Standard version of PowerDVD 19 can run on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but you can only play 4K videos with this media player if you have Windows 10 installed on your PC.

In addition to playing DVD and Blu-ray discs you can also use PowerDVD 19 to download videos, 360° VR videos, audio or image files and stream videos from PowerDVD to your television set. This iconic media player offers HDR support and it is True Theater technology enhances the colors in videos you play with it. However, if you would like to watch 8K or HDR content with PowerDVD 19 you must purchase its Ultra version.

Pros

  • Full codec support
  • Excellent screencasting capabilities
  • Smooth playback of HDR, 8K and 4K videos
  • Powerful audio playback features

Cons

  • PowerDVD 19 cannot be used for free

9. Leawo Blue-ray player

If you are looking for a media player that can open both Blu-ray and DVD discs, you should look no further, because Leawo Blu-ray player is equipped with a plethora of features that make every home theater experience more enjoyable. The player lets you open DVD files, DVD folders, as well as DVD ISO and IFO files, however, you cannot use it to play videos in resolutions larger than 1080p.

Leawo Blu-ray player enables you to watch or listen to the content from Blu-ray discs on Windows 10 and all other versions of the OS up to Windows Vista. Adding subtitles or selecting the audio track of a video file is easy and optionally you can search through the DVD player’s subtitle library if the original video doesn’t have built-in subtitles. More advanced video playback options like screencasting or screen capturing are not available, which means that you can only watch the videos that are stored on DVDs or Blu-rays from your computer.

Pros

  • Allows users to load multiple files simultaneously
  • Compatible with all versions of Windows OS since Windows Vista
  • Intuitive media control menu
  • Excellent audio decoding options

Cons

  • No advanced video and audio playback options

10. Macgo Windows Blu-ray

Even though this media player is primarily designed for macOS, the manufacturer announced that the Windows version of the app is going to become available soon. The Macgo Windows Blu-ray player is expected to offer support for a broad range of Blu-ray file formats and video files, which should enable its users to watch or listen to content without any restrictions. The media player can also display a variety of photo file formats, including CR2 files, and its users can utilize it to browse through their photo collections and ever view RAW files.

The current Mac-based versions of the software offer support for Dolby TrueHD Audio DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS 5.1 codecs that ensure you can hear every sound in a video accurately. Macgo Windows Blu-ray should also be equipped with a range of subtitle options that allow you to customize the color, size or the font of a video’s subtitles.

Pros

  • Supports nearly all Blu-ray and video file formats
  • Powerful audio playback features
  • Displays image files
  • Offers online video playback options

Cons

  • This Blu-ray and DVD player is still in Beta stage

Conclusion

Even though Windows 10 doesn’t have a native DVD or Blu-ray players, finding a media player that enables you to watch video and audio content from Blu-ray or DVD discs shouldn’t be too difficult. Media players like Pot Player or VLC are powerful enough to provide smooth playback of all audio and video files for free, while DVD players like PowerDVD or KMPlayer are a better option if you are looking for a true home theater experience. Which DVD player for Windows 10 are you going to choose? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

As it is now the second decade of the 21st century, data carriers like DVDs are slowly becoming obsolete. A growing number of laptop and desktop PCs no longer feature optical disc drives, while the discontinuation of the Windows Media Center marked the end of an era in which Windows OS offered a built-in DVD player.

The Windows 10 doesn’t have a native app that enables you to play movies or music from DVD and Blu-ray discs, and you must install a third-party DVDvideo player if you want to view content from these sources. Luckily there is no shortage of media players that are compatible with Windows 10, so in this article, we are going to take you through some of the best free DVD players on the market and help you choose the one that meets all your needs.

Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

Before you opt for one DVD player or the other you must first check which audio and video file formats they support or find out if you can use them to play Blu-ray discs. You should also check a player’s compatibility with the operating system you have installed on your computer and that you have all the codecs necessary to play ISO and other image, audio and video file format. So let’s take a look at ten best free DVD players for Windows 10.

1. VLC Media Player by VideoLan

Over the course of the last two decades, VLC has established itself as one of the most versatile media players ever created. This cross-platform app can be used on Macs, PCs, Linux computers and Smartphones to play different types of audio, image and video files. In fact, VLC is probably the most reliable DVD player you can find, as it allows you to play DVD and Blu-ray discs effortlessly. However, if you want to watch videos in 4K or 8K resolution, you must install the VLC 3.0 Vetinari update of the media player.

What’s more, playing a DVD or a Blu-ray with VLC is a simple task you can complete in just a few clicks. The Open Disc option that is located in the player’s Media menu enables you to choose if you would like to open a DVD, VCD, Audio CD or Blu-ray disc. Moreover, you won’t need to install additional or MPEG-4 codecs, since VLC can play the vast majority of video files regardless of the codec they are using.

Pros

  • Available to all PC and Mac users for free
  • The most versatile media player on the market
  • Offers basic video editing options
  • Powerful subtitle syncing tools

Cons

  • The playback of 4K or 8K video files can be choppy

2. PotPlayer

If you are looking for a DVD player that is compatible with all versions of Windows that were released since Windows Vista, PotPlayer might be one of your best options. Besides providing support for all commonly used video file formats and allowing you to play DVDs, Blu-rays or audio CDs, PotPlayer also offers support for different types of 3D glasses. This Windows-based media player is equipped with enhanced H/W Acceleration technology that enables the software to assist the CPU and GPU during the playback of demanding video files.

PotPlayer has all the codecs that are required for the playback of various types of multimedia files, so you don’t have to waste time searching for the codec packs that make possible playing video and audio content that is stored on DVDs or Blu-rays. The media player lets you choose a sound card in case you have more just than one and it supports SRT and SMI, VOB and Blu-ray subtitles.

Pros

  • Full OpenCodec support
  • Provides a unique 3D viewing experience
  • Enables users to bookmark chapters
  • Compatible with TV, DVD and HDTV devices

Cons

  • Audio playback options could be better

3. BlazeDVD

This is a powerful multimedia player that enables you to watch even region coded and CSS-encrypted DVDs. However, the free version of BlazeDVD doesn’t allow you to open region coded DVDs and Blu-rays or add subtitles to your files. So if you want to gain access to all the features this DVD player has to offer, you must make a one-time payment of $49.96 and upgrade to its Pro version. Both versions of BlazeDVD let you play DVDs, VCDs or SVCDs and allow you to choose between different playback modes.

The Surround Sound support enhances the audio playback and provides a theater-like experience to the viewers. Moreover, you can choose between ten audio filters you can apply to media files you open with BlazeDVD or use the Parental Control feature if you want to restrict the access to violent content to your children. Creating slideshows from still images or recording videos in an MPEG2 file format are also among the options you are going to have at your disposal if you opt for the paid version of BlazeDVD.

Pros

  • Excellent audio playback capabilities
  • Features a learning mode
  • Equipped with the Smart Stretch technology
  • Multi-core CPU acceleration features enhance the video and audio playback

Cons

  • The free version of BlazeDVD offers only limited DVD and Blu-ray playback options

4. 5KPlayer

In case you are looking for a perfect DVD player for your home theater, 5KPlayer is probably one of the best options you can find on the market. PC and Mac users can install this DVD player on their devices for free and even use it to capture screens in 4K resolution. The AirPlay technology enables mirroring, while you can also use 5KPlayer to download videos from more than 300 websites including platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

This media player offers a smooth playback of 4K, Full HD and 360° videos, and it enables you to stream audio and video via its DLNA and AirPlay features. Its DXVA2 hardware acceleration helps render HDR 4K and 8K videos in MTS, MKV or VR 360° formats. What’s more 5KPlayer can detect and play stereo, Dolby or DTS multichannel surround sound in MP3, WMA or FLAC file formats. This cross-platform multimedia player is equipped with a built-in radio player and it supports all common subtitle file formats.

Pros

  • Offers support for a broad range of audio and video files
  • Excellent screen capturing tools
  • Enables users to download video content from Facebook, Dailymotion, YouTube or Vimeo
  • Amazing streaming capabilities

Cons

  • No Blu-ray support

5. GOM Media Player

Over the years, GOM has emerged as one of the most versatile DVD players for Windows 10 and all other earlier versions of the OS. Its video playback features are nothing short of amazing since GOM enables you to play videos in various resolutions and file formats. However, if you would like to use this media player to open Blu-ray discs you must ensure that you have the necessary codecs. Even so, GOM features a variety of built-in codecs such as Vobris, H263, MP42 or XVID that ensure you can open almost all types of video files.

Besides stunning video playback capabilities that even allow you to view 360° VR videos, GOM also features an extensive subtitle library. The media player searches for subtitles automatically and if it finds a subtitle for a particular video it adds them automatically. Upgrading to the paid version of the GOM media player can be a good idea if you want to get rid of ads or make sure that the playback of 4K UHD video files is smooth.

Pros

  • Quick and easy installation process
  • A rich subtitle library
  • Supports a broad range of audio and video files
  • Low system requirements

Cons

  • Additional codecs are required for the playback of Blu-ray discs

6. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema)

Even though it has been more than two years since the last and probably the final version of MPC-HC has been released, this media player is still one of the best ways to play DVDs and Blu-rays on Windows 10. The video and audio playback tools MPC-HC has to offer cannot be compared to those provided by VLC or even GOM media player as it only features the basic options you need to play a DVD or a Blu-ray disc. Moreover, the process of playing a DVD with MPC-HC is quite technical as you must adjust the media player’s settings in order to play content from that source.

The codecs you will have to install on your PC depends on the type of content you would like to watch. MPC-HC provides support for or codecs, but it is better to install a full codec pack and ensure that you have all the codecs you need to play audio and video files. Furthermore, playing videos in 4K resolution with MPC-HC is not possible, but you can use it as a DVB player if you want to broadcast videos from your PC to other devices.

Pros

  • Ad-free
  • Smooth playback of Blu-ray and DVD discs
  • Supports all common audio and video file formats
  • Different toolbar skins are available

Cons

  • Basic audio and video playback options

7. KMPlayer

This modernly and elegantly designed media player lets you watch 3D, 4K or UHD videos regardless of the format in which they are saved. The KMPlayer features all codecs it needs to play different types of audio and video files, so you don’t have to look for codecs you need to open a particular media file. You can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit PC versions of KMPlayer, or opt to use this media player on an Android or iPhone device.

Adding subtitles to a video in KMPlayer is an effortless process that won’t take more than a couple of clicks. Besides the remarkable video playback options, KMPlayer also allows you to listen to music through its music player and enables you to download videos from Instagram, Daily Motion or YouTube. The media player also lets you capture audio and video files and save them in virtually any format you want.

Pros

  • Displays high-resolution files accurately and without delay
  • Performs well on older PC configurations
  • Easy subtitle setup
  • Offers basic screen capturing options

Cons

  • No stereo sound support

8. PowerDVD 19

PowerDVD is arguably the best DVD player for Windows ever created, and it is no surprise that its latest version offers a wide range of audio and video playback options. PowerDVD 19 is available in Standard, Pro and Ultra versions that are all differently priced and provide different video and audio playback features. The Standard version of PowerDVD 19 can run on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but you can only play 4K videos with this media player if you have Windows 10 installed on your PC.

In addition to playing DVD and Blu-ray discs you can also use PowerDVD 19 to download videos, 360° VR videos, audio or image files and stream videos from PowerDVD to your television set. This iconic media player offers HDR support and it is True Theater technology enhances the colors in videos you play with it. However, if you would like to watch 8K or HDR content with PowerDVD 19 you must purchase its Ultra version.

Pros

  • Full codec support
  • Excellent screencasting capabilities
  • Smooth playback of HDR, 8K and 4K videos
  • Powerful audio playback features

Cons

  • PowerDVD 19 cannot be used for free

9. Leawo Blue-ray player

If you are looking for a media player that can open both Blu-ray and DVD discs, you should look no further, because Leawo Blu-ray player is equipped with a plethora of features that make every home theater experience more enjoyable. The player lets you open DVD files, DVD folders, as well as DVD ISO and IFO files, however, you cannot use it to play videos in resolutions larger than 1080p.

Leawo Blu-ray player enables you to watch or listen to the content from Blu-ray discs on Windows 10 and all other versions of the OS up to Windows Vista. Adding subtitles or selecting the audio track of a video file is easy and optionally you can search through the DVD player’s subtitle library if the original video doesn’t have built-in subtitles. More advanced video playback options like screencasting or screen capturing are not available, which means that you can only watch the videos that are stored on DVDs or Blu-rays from your computer.

Pros

  • Allows users to load multiple files simultaneously
  • Compatible with all versions of Windows OS since Windows Vista
  • Intuitive media control menu
  • Excellent audio decoding options

Cons

  • No advanced video and audio playback options

10. Macgo Windows Blu-ray

Even though this media player is primarily designed for macOS, the manufacturer announced that the Windows version of the app is going to become available soon. The Macgo Windows Blu-ray player is expected to offer support for a broad range of Blu-ray file formats and video files, which should enable its users to watch or listen to content without any restrictions. The media player can also display a variety of photo file formats, including CR2 files, and its users can utilize it to browse through their photo collections and ever view RAW files.

The current Mac-based versions of the software offer support for Dolby TrueHD Audio DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS 5.1 codecs that ensure you can hear every sound in a video accurately. Macgo Windows Blu-ray should also be equipped with a range of subtitle options that allow you to customize the color, size or the font of a video’s subtitles.

Pros

  • Supports nearly all Blu-ray and video file formats
  • Powerful audio playback features
  • Displays image files
  • Offers online video playback options

Cons

  • This Blu-ray and DVD player is still in Beta stage

Conclusion

Even though Windows 10 doesn’t have a native DVD or Blu-ray players, finding a media player that enables you to watch video and audio content from Blu-ray or DVD discs shouldn’t be too difficult. Media players like Pot Player or VLC are powerful enough to provide smooth playback of all audio and video files for free, while DVD players like PowerDVD or KMPlayer are a better option if you are looking for a true home theater experience. Which DVD player for Windows 10 are you going to choose? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

As it is now the second decade of the 21st century, data carriers like DVDs are slowly becoming obsolete. A growing number of laptop and desktop PCs no longer feature optical disc drives, while the discontinuation of the Windows Media Center marked the end of an era in which Windows OS offered a built-in DVD player.

The Windows 10 doesn’t have a native app that enables you to play movies or music from DVD and Blu-ray discs, and you must install a third-party DVDvideo player if you want to view content from these sources. Luckily there is no shortage of media players that are compatible with Windows 10, so in this article, we are going to take you through some of the best free DVD players on the market and help you choose the one that meets all your needs.

Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

Before you opt for one DVD player or the other you must first check which audio and video file formats they support or find out if you can use them to play Blu-ray discs. You should also check a player’s compatibility with the operating system you have installed on your computer and that you have all the codecs necessary to play ISO and other image, audio and video file format. So let’s take a look at ten best free DVD players for Windows 10.

1. VLC Media Player by VideoLan

Over the course of the last two decades, VLC has established itself as one of the most versatile media players ever created. This cross-platform app can be used on Macs, PCs, Linux computers and Smartphones to play different types of audio, image and video files. In fact, VLC is probably the most reliable DVD player you can find, as it allows you to play DVD and Blu-ray discs effortlessly. However, if you want to watch videos in 4K or 8K resolution, you must install the VLC 3.0 Vetinari update of the media player.

What’s more, playing a DVD or a Blu-ray with VLC is a simple task you can complete in just a few clicks. The Open Disc option that is located in the player’s Media menu enables you to choose if you would like to open a DVD, VCD, Audio CD or Blu-ray disc. Moreover, you won’t need to install additional or MPEG-4 codecs, since VLC can play the vast majority of video files regardless of the codec they are using.

Pros

  • Available to all PC and Mac users for free
  • The most versatile media player on the market
  • Offers basic video editing options
  • Powerful subtitle syncing tools

Cons

  • The playback of 4K or 8K video files can be choppy

2. PotPlayer

If you are looking for a DVD player that is compatible with all versions of Windows that were released since Windows Vista, PotPlayer might be one of your best options. Besides providing support for all commonly used video file formats and allowing you to play DVDs, Blu-rays or audio CDs, PotPlayer also offers support for different types of 3D glasses. This Windows-based media player is equipped with enhanced H/W Acceleration technology that enables the software to assist the CPU and GPU during the playback of demanding video files.

PotPlayer has all the codecs that are required for the playback of various types of multimedia files, so you don’t have to waste time searching for the codec packs that make possible playing video and audio content that is stored on DVDs or Blu-rays. The media player lets you choose a sound card in case you have more just than one and it supports SRT and SMI, VOB and Blu-ray subtitles.

Pros

  • Full OpenCodec support
  • Provides a unique 3D viewing experience
  • Enables users to bookmark chapters
  • Compatible with TV, DVD and HDTV devices

Cons

  • Audio playback options could be better

3. BlazeDVD

This is a powerful multimedia player that enables you to watch even region coded and CSS-encrypted DVDs. However, the free version of BlazeDVD doesn’t allow you to open region coded DVDs and Blu-rays or add subtitles to your files. So if you want to gain access to all the features this DVD player has to offer, you must make a one-time payment of $49.96 and upgrade to its Pro version. Both versions of BlazeDVD let you play DVDs, VCDs or SVCDs and allow you to choose between different playback modes.

The Surround Sound support enhances the audio playback and provides a theater-like experience to the viewers. Moreover, you can choose between ten audio filters you can apply to media files you open with BlazeDVD or use the Parental Control feature if you want to restrict the access to violent content to your children. Creating slideshows from still images or recording videos in an MPEG2 file format are also among the options you are going to have at your disposal if you opt for the paid version of BlazeDVD.

Pros

  • Excellent audio playback capabilities
  • Features a learning mode
  • Equipped with the Smart Stretch technology
  • Multi-core CPU acceleration features enhance the video and audio playback

Cons

  • The free version of BlazeDVD offers only limited DVD and Blu-ray playback options

4. 5KPlayer

In case you are looking for a perfect DVD player for your home theater, 5KPlayer is probably one of the best options you can find on the market. PC and Mac users can install this DVD player on their devices for free and even use it to capture screens in 4K resolution. The AirPlay technology enables mirroring, while you can also use 5KPlayer to download videos from more than 300 websites including platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

This media player offers a smooth playback of 4K, Full HD and 360° videos, and it enables you to stream audio and video via its DLNA and AirPlay features. Its DXVA2 hardware acceleration helps render HDR 4K and 8K videos in MTS, MKV or VR 360° formats. What’s more 5KPlayer can detect and play stereo, Dolby or DTS multichannel surround sound in MP3, WMA or FLAC file formats. This cross-platform multimedia player is equipped with a built-in radio player and it supports all common subtitle file formats.

Pros

  • Offers support for a broad range of audio and video files
  • Excellent screen capturing tools
  • Enables users to download video content from Facebook, Dailymotion, YouTube or Vimeo
  • Amazing streaming capabilities

Cons

  • No Blu-ray support

5. GOM Media Player

Over the years, GOM has emerged as one of the most versatile DVD players for Windows 10 and all other earlier versions of the OS. Its video playback features are nothing short of amazing since GOM enables you to play videos in various resolutions and file formats. However, if you would like to use this media player to open Blu-ray discs you must ensure that you have the necessary codecs. Even so, GOM features a variety of built-in codecs such as Vobris, H263, MP42 or XVID that ensure you can open almost all types of video files.

Besides stunning video playback capabilities that even allow you to view 360° VR videos, GOM also features an extensive subtitle library. The media player searches for subtitles automatically and if it finds a subtitle for a particular video it adds them automatically. Upgrading to the paid version of the GOM media player can be a good idea if you want to get rid of ads or make sure that the playback of 4K UHD video files is smooth.

Pros

  • Quick and easy installation process
  • A rich subtitle library
  • Supports a broad range of audio and video files
  • Low system requirements

Cons

  • Additional codecs are required for the playback of Blu-ray discs

6. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema)

Even though it has been more than two years since the last and probably the final version of MPC-HC has been released, this media player is still one of the best ways to play DVDs and Blu-rays on Windows 10. The video and audio playback tools MPC-HC has to offer cannot be compared to those provided by VLC or even GOM media player as it only features the basic options you need to play a DVD or a Blu-ray disc. Moreover, the process of playing a DVD with MPC-HC is quite technical as you must adjust the media player’s settings in order to play content from that source.

The codecs you will have to install on your PC depends on the type of content you would like to watch. MPC-HC provides support for or codecs, but it is better to install a full codec pack and ensure that you have all the codecs you need to play audio and video files. Furthermore, playing videos in 4K resolution with MPC-HC is not possible, but you can use it as a DVB player if you want to broadcast videos from your PC to other devices.

Pros

  • Ad-free
  • Smooth playback of Blu-ray and DVD discs
  • Supports all common audio and video file formats
  • Different toolbar skins are available

Cons

  • Basic audio and video playback options

7. KMPlayer

This modernly and elegantly designed media player lets you watch 3D, 4K or UHD videos regardless of the format in which they are saved. The KMPlayer features all codecs it needs to play different types of audio and video files, so you don’t have to look for codecs you need to open a particular media file. You can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit PC versions of KMPlayer, or opt to use this media player on an Android or iPhone device.

Adding subtitles to a video in KMPlayer is an effortless process that won’t take more than a couple of clicks. Besides the remarkable video playback options, KMPlayer also allows you to listen to music through its music player and enables you to download videos from Instagram, Daily Motion or YouTube. The media player also lets you capture audio and video files and save them in virtually any format you want.

Pros

  • Displays high-resolution files accurately and without delay
  • Performs well on older PC configurations
  • Easy subtitle setup
  • Offers basic screen capturing options

Cons

  • No stereo sound support

8. PowerDVD 19

PowerDVD is arguably the best DVD player for Windows ever created, and it is no surprise that its latest version offers a wide range of audio and video playback options. PowerDVD 19 is available in Standard, Pro and Ultra versions that are all differently priced and provide different video and audio playback features. The Standard version of PowerDVD 19 can run on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but you can only play 4K videos with this media player if you have Windows 10 installed on your PC.

In addition to playing DVD and Blu-ray discs you can also use PowerDVD 19 to download videos, 360° VR videos, audio or image files and stream videos from PowerDVD to your television set. This iconic media player offers HDR support and it is True Theater technology enhances the colors in videos you play with it. However, if you would like to watch 8K or HDR content with PowerDVD 19 you must purchase its Ultra version.

Pros

  • Full codec support
  • Excellent screencasting capabilities
  • Smooth playback of HDR, 8K and 4K videos
  • Powerful audio playback features

Cons

  • PowerDVD 19 cannot be used for free

9. Leawo Blue-ray player

If you are looking for a media player that can open both Blu-ray and DVD discs, you should look no further, because Leawo Blu-ray player is equipped with a plethora of features that make every home theater experience more enjoyable. The player lets you open DVD files, DVD folders, as well as DVD ISO and IFO files, however, you cannot use it to play videos in resolutions larger than 1080p.

Leawo Blu-ray player enables you to watch or listen to the content from Blu-ray discs on Windows 10 and all other versions of the OS up to Windows Vista. Adding subtitles or selecting the audio track of a video file is easy and optionally you can search through the DVD player’s subtitle library if the original video doesn’t have built-in subtitles. More advanced video playback options like screencasting or screen capturing are not available, which means that you can only watch the videos that are stored on DVDs or Blu-rays from your computer.

Pros

  • Allows users to load multiple files simultaneously
  • Compatible with all versions of Windows OS since Windows Vista
  • Intuitive media control menu
  • Excellent audio decoding options

Cons

  • No advanced video and audio playback options

10. Macgo Windows Blu-ray

Even though this media player is primarily designed for macOS, the manufacturer announced that the Windows version of the app is going to become available soon. The Macgo Windows Blu-ray player is expected to offer support for a broad range of Blu-ray file formats and video files, which should enable its users to watch or listen to content without any restrictions. The media player can also display a variety of photo file formats, including CR2 files, and its users can utilize it to browse through their photo collections and ever view RAW files.

The current Mac-based versions of the software offer support for Dolby TrueHD Audio DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS 5.1 codecs that ensure you can hear every sound in a video accurately. Macgo Windows Blu-ray should also be equipped with a range of subtitle options that allow you to customize the color, size or the font of a video’s subtitles.

Pros

  • Supports nearly all Blu-ray and video file formats
  • Powerful audio playback features
  • Displays image files
  • Offers online video playback options

Cons

  • This Blu-ray and DVD player is still in Beta stage

Conclusion

Even though Windows 10 doesn’t have a native DVD or Blu-ray players, finding a media player that enables you to watch video and audio content from Blu-ray or DVD discs shouldn’t be too difficult. Media players like Pot Player or VLC are powerful enough to provide smooth playback of all audio and video files for free, while DVD players like PowerDVD or KMPlayer are a better option if you are looking for a true home theater experience. Which DVD player for Windows 10 are you going to choose? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

As it is now the second decade of the 21st century, data carriers like DVDs are slowly becoming obsolete. A growing number of laptop and desktop PCs no longer feature optical disc drives, while the discontinuation of the Windows Media Center marked the end of an era in which Windows OS offered a built-in DVD player.

The Windows 10 doesn’t have a native app that enables you to play movies or music from DVD and Blu-ray discs, and you must install a third-party DVDvideo player if you want to view content from these sources. Luckily there is no shortage of media players that are compatible with Windows 10, so in this article, we are going to take you through some of the best free DVD players on the market and help you choose the one that meets all your needs.

Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

Before you opt for one DVD player or the other you must first check which audio and video file formats they support or find out if you can use them to play Blu-ray discs. You should also check a player’s compatibility with the operating system you have installed on your computer and that you have all the codecs necessary to play ISO and other image, audio and video file format. So let’s take a look at ten best free DVD players for Windows 10.

1. VLC Media Player by VideoLan

Over the course of the last two decades, VLC has established itself as one of the most versatile media players ever created. This cross-platform app can be used on Macs, PCs, Linux computers and Smartphones to play different types of audio, image and video files. In fact, VLC is probably the most reliable DVD player you can find, as it allows you to play DVD and Blu-ray discs effortlessly. However, if you want to watch videos in 4K or 8K resolution, you must install the VLC 3.0 Vetinari update of the media player.

What’s more, playing a DVD or a Blu-ray with VLC is a simple task you can complete in just a few clicks. The Open Disc option that is located in the player’s Media menu enables you to choose if you would like to open a DVD, VCD, Audio CD or Blu-ray disc. Moreover, you won’t need to install additional or MPEG-4 codecs, since VLC can play the vast majority of video files regardless of the codec they are using.

Pros

  • Available to all PC and Mac users for free
  • The most versatile media player on the market
  • Offers basic video editing options
  • Powerful subtitle syncing tools

Cons

  • The playback of 4K or 8K video files can be choppy

2. PotPlayer

If you are looking for a DVD player that is compatible with all versions of Windows that were released since Windows Vista, PotPlayer might be one of your best options. Besides providing support for all commonly used video file formats and allowing you to play DVDs, Blu-rays or audio CDs, PotPlayer also offers support for different types of 3D glasses. This Windows-based media player is equipped with enhanced H/W Acceleration technology that enables the software to assist the CPU and GPU during the playback of demanding video files.

PotPlayer has all the codecs that are required for the playback of various types of multimedia files, so you don’t have to waste time searching for the codec packs that make possible playing video and audio content that is stored on DVDs or Blu-rays. The media player lets you choose a sound card in case you have more just than one and it supports SRT and SMI, VOB and Blu-ray subtitles.

Pros

  • Full OpenCodec support
  • Provides a unique 3D viewing experience
  • Enables users to bookmark chapters
  • Compatible with TV, DVD and HDTV devices

Cons

  • Audio playback options could be better

3. BlazeDVD

This is a powerful multimedia player that enables you to watch even region coded and CSS-encrypted DVDs. However, the free version of BlazeDVD doesn’t allow you to open region coded DVDs and Blu-rays or add subtitles to your files. So if you want to gain access to all the features this DVD player has to offer, you must make a one-time payment of $49.96 and upgrade to its Pro version. Both versions of BlazeDVD let you play DVDs, VCDs or SVCDs and allow you to choose between different playback modes.

The Surround Sound support enhances the audio playback and provides a theater-like experience to the viewers. Moreover, you can choose between ten audio filters you can apply to media files you open with BlazeDVD or use the Parental Control feature if you want to restrict the access to violent content to your children. Creating slideshows from still images or recording videos in an MPEG2 file format are also among the options you are going to have at your disposal if you opt for the paid version of BlazeDVD.

Pros

  • Excellent audio playback capabilities
  • Features a learning mode
  • Equipped with the Smart Stretch technology
  • Multi-core CPU acceleration features enhance the video and audio playback

Cons

  • The free version of BlazeDVD offers only limited DVD and Blu-ray playback options

4. 5KPlayer

In case you are looking for a perfect DVD player for your home theater, 5KPlayer is probably one of the best options you can find on the market. PC and Mac users can install this DVD player on their devices for free and even use it to capture screens in 4K resolution. The AirPlay technology enables mirroring, while you can also use 5KPlayer to download videos from more than 300 websites including platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

This media player offers a smooth playback of 4K, Full HD and 360° videos, and it enables you to stream audio and video via its DLNA and AirPlay features. Its DXVA2 hardware acceleration helps render HDR 4K and 8K videos in MTS, MKV or VR 360° formats. What’s more 5KPlayer can detect and play stereo, Dolby or DTS multichannel surround sound in MP3, WMA or FLAC file formats. This cross-platform multimedia player is equipped with a built-in radio player and it supports all common subtitle file formats.

Pros

  • Offers support for a broad range of audio and video files
  • Excellent screen capturing tools
  • Enables users to download video content from Facebook, Dailymotion, YouTube or Vimeo
  • Amazing streaming capabilities

Cons

  • No Blu-ray support

5. GOM Media Player

Over the years, GOM has emerged as one of the most versatile DVD players for Windows 10 and all other earlier versions of the OS. Its video playback features are nothing short of amazing since GOM enables you to play videos in various resolutions and file formats. However, if you would like to use this media player to open Blu-ray discs you must ensure that you have the necessary codecs. Even so, GOM features a variety of built-in codecs such as Vobris, H263, MP42 or XVID that ensure you can open almost all types of video files.

Besides stunning video playback capabilities that even allow you to view 360° VR videos, GOM also features an extensive subtitle library. The media player searches for subtitles automatically and if it finds a subtitle for a particular video it adds them automatically. Upgrading to the paid version of the GOM media player can be a good idea if you want to get rid of ads or make sure that the playback of 4K UHD video files is smooth.

Pros

  • Quick and easy installation process
  • A rich subtitle library
  • Supports a broad range of audio and video files
  • Low system requirements

Cons

  • Additional codecs are required for the playback of Blu-ray discs

6. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema)

Even though it has been more than two years since the last and probably the final version of MPC-HC has been released, this media player is still one of the best ways to play DVDs and Blu-rays on Windows 10. The video and audio playback tools MPC-HC has to offer cannot be compared to those provided by VLC or even GOM media player as it only features the basic options you need to play a DVD or a Blu-ray disc. Moreover, the process of playing a DVD with MPC-HC is quite technical as you must adjust the media player’s settings in order to play content from that source.

The codecs you will have to install on your PC depends on the type of content you would like to watch. MPC-HC provides support for or codecs, but it is better to install a full codec pack and ensure that you have all the codecs you need to play audio and video files. Furthermore, playing videos in 4K resolution with MPC-HC is not possible, but you can use it as a DVB player if you want to broadcast videos from your PC to other devices.

Pros

  • Ad-free
  • Smooth playback of Blu-ray and DVD discs
  • Supports all common audio and video file formats
  • Different toolbar skins are available

Cons

  • Basic audio and video playback options

7. KMPlayer

This modernly and elegantly designed media player lets you watch 3D, 4K or UHD videos regardless of the format in which they are saved. The KMPlayer features all codecs it needs to play different types of audio and video files, so you don’t have to look for codecs you need to open a particular media file. You can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit PC versions of KMPlayer, or opt to use this media player on an Android or iPhone device.

Adding subtitles to a video in KMPlayer is an effortless process that won’t take more than a couple of clicks. Besides the remarkable video playback options, KMPlayer also allows you to listen to music through its music player and enables you to download videos from Instagram, Daily Motion or YouTube. The media player also lets you capture audio and video files and save them in virtually any format you want.

Pros

  • Displays high-resolution files accurately and without delay
  • Performs well on older PC configurations
  • Easy subtitle setup
  • Offers basic screen capturing options

Cons

  • No stereo sound support

8. PowerDVD 19

PowerDVD is arguably the best DVD player for Windows ever created, and it is no surprise that its latest version offers a wide range of audio and video playback options. PowerDVD 19 is available in Standard, Pro and Ultra versions that are all differently priced and provide different video and audio playback features. The Standard version of PowerDVD 19 can run on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but you can only play 4K videos with this media player if you have Windows 10 installed on your PC.

In addition to playing DVD and Blu-ray discs you can also use PowerDVD 19 to download videos, 360° VR videos, audio or image files and stream videos from PowerDVD to your television set. This iconic media player offers HDR support and it is True Theater technology enhances the colors in videos you play with it. However, if you would like to watch 8K or HDR content with PowerDVD 19 you must purchase its Ultra version.

Pros

  • Full codec support
  • Excellent screencasting capabilities
  • Smooth playback of HDR, 8K and 4K videos
  • Powerful audio playback features

Cons

  • PowerDVD 19 cannot be used for free

9. Leawo Blue-ray player

If you are looking for a media player that can open both Blu-ray and DVD discs, you should look no further, because Leawo Blu-ray player is equipped with a plethora of features that make every home theater experience more enjoyable. The player lets you open DVD files, DVD folders, as well as DVD ISO and IFO files, however, you cannot use it to play videos in resolutions larger than 1080p.

Leawo Blu-ray player enables you to watch or listen to the content from Blu-ray discs on Windows 10 and all other versions of the OS up to Windows Vista. Adding subtitles or selecting the audio track of a video file is easy and optionally you can search through the DVD player’s subtitle library if the original video doesn’t have built-in subtitles. More advanced video playback options like screencasting or screen capturing are not available, which means that you can only watch the videos that are stored on DVDs or Blu-rays from your computer.

Pros

  • Allows users to load multiple files simultaneously
  • Compatible with all versions of Windows OS since Windows Vista
  • Intuitive media control menu
  • Excellent audio decoding options

Cons

  • No advanced video and audio playback options

10. Macgo Windows Blu-ray

Even though this media player is primarily designed for macOS, the manufacturer announced that the Windows version of the app is going to become available soon. The Macgo Windows Blu-ray player is expected to offer support for a broad range of Blu-ray file formats and video files, which should enable its users to watch or listen to content without any restrictions. The media player can also display a variety of photo file formats, including CR2 files, and its users can utilize it to browse through their photo collections and ever view RAW files.

The current Mac-based versions of the software offer support for Dolby TrueHD Audio DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS 5.1 codecs that ensure you can hear every sound in a video accurately. Macgo Windows Blu-ray should also be equipped with a range of subtitle options that allow you to customize the color, size or the font of a video’s subtitles.

Pros

  • Supports nearly all Blu-ray and video file formats
  • Powerful audio playback features
  • Displays image files
  • Offers online video playback options

Cons

  • This Blu-ray and DVD player is still in Beta stage

Conclusion

Even though Windows 10 doesn’t have a native DVD or Blu-ray players, finding a media player that enables you to watch video and audio content from Blu-ray or DVD discs shouldn’t be too difficult. Media players like Pot Player or VLC are powerful enough to provide smooth playback of all audio and video files for free, while DVD players like PowerDVD or KMPlayer are a better option if you are looking for a true home theater experience. Which DVD player for Windows 10 are you going to choose? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Play Videos at a Slower Pace with VLC Media Player

While the files of the most common formats like MP4, WAV, etc. may look identical, they might be compiled using varied codecs which may or may not support any random player that you install on your PC. The reason why VLC media player is used by the majority of users worldwide is the versatility in the codecs that it supports natively.

Furthermore, the app is available for almost every platform, i.e., Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, and is absolutely free to download and use.

With that said, the following sections explain how to manage the playback speed of a video while using VLC media player to add a slow motion effect to video. Here you will learn how to play slow motion on VLC on Windows, Mac, and iOS/Android, and also how to set the default speed for the app so that every time a video is played, the speed remains according to your preference.

In this article

01 How to Play Video in Slow Motion Effects on Windows with VLC?

02 How to Play Slow Motion Effects on Mac with VLC?

03 How to Control Playback Speed in VLC Media Player on Android and iOS?

04 How to Set up the Default Playback Speed on VLC?

Part 1: How to Play Video in Slow Motion Effects on Windows with VLC?

VLC is one of the best media players to play videos in slow motion . You can follow the instructions that are given below to learn how to play a video in slow motion in VLC on a Windows PC:

Step 1: Start Video Playback

Launch VLC on your Windows computer (a Windows 11 PC is used here for illustrations), click Media from the menu bar at the top, click Open File from the menu, and locate and open a video that you want to watch in slow motion. If VLC is your default media player, simply double-clicking the clip automatically opens the file in the app.

open file to play slow motion on vlc

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed (In Decrements of 0.10x)

Once the playback begins, press the Spacebar on the keyboard to pause the video. Next, go to the Playback menu from the top, go to Speed, and click Slower (fine) once. This will reduce the speed to 0.90x. Clicking Slower (fine) again will further slow down the video to 0.80x speed. You can repeat this process until you reduce the speed to your desired level. Press Spacebar again to resume the playback in slow motion.

Note: The lowest speed that you can go to using this process is 0.03x.

vlc playback slower slow motion

Step 3: Reduce the Playback Speed (In Decrements in Percentage)

Pause the playback and go to Playback > Speed as explained in the previous step. From the list that comes up, click Slower (the last option). This will reduce the speed to 0.67x. Click Slower again and the speed will further go down to 0.50x. You can repeat this process until you reach your desired playback speed. Press Spacebar to resume the playback in slow motion. With this method, you can reduce the speed to as low as 0.02x.

Note: You can click Normal from the Speed submenu to play the video at normal speed.

play video slow motion on vlc slower

Step 4: Using the Shortcut Keys (Optional)

You can press the left square bracket ‘[‘ on your keyboard to reduce the speed in decrements of 0.10x. To get back to the normal speed, press the equals to ‘=’ key. Likewise, pressing the right square bracket ‘]’ increases the speed by 0.10x.

Note: As it is with the Slower (fine) and Slower options, you can use Faster (fine) to add 0.10x increments to the speed, and Faster to increase percentage-wise. Also, if Faster (fine) is clicked repeatedly or its shortcut key is used multiple times, the speed can be increased up to 31.25x. On the other hand, by using the Faster option repeatedly, the speed can be increased to more than 100x.

Part 2: How to Play Slow Motion Effects on Mac with VLC?

The process of slowing down the video playback in VLC on a Mac computer is almost identical to that in Windows. You can learn how to get this done by following the steps that are given below:

Step 1: Open and Pause the Video

Locate and right-click the video that you want to play in slow motion, go to Open With from the context menu, and click VLC from the submenu. Once the clip opens, click the Pause button from the bottom as explained in the previous section.

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed

Click Playback from the menu bar at the top, and drag the Playback Speed slider to the left to reduce the speed of the video.

play video slow motion on vlc mac

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Click anywhere on the screen to close the Playback menu, and then click the Play button from the bottom to resume the video playback in slow motion.

Part 3: How to Control Playback Speed in VLC Media Player on Android and iOS?

Although the playback speed of a video on both Android and iOS devices can be controlled with a slider, the location where the controller is placed on the two platforms varies, and so does the process of reaching there. Both the methods are explained below for your convenience:

Play Video in Slow Motion on Android with VLC

Step 1: Pause the Playback

Launch VLC on your Android phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ is used here for illustrations), locate and open the video in VLC, tap anywhere on the screen, and tap the Pause button from the bottom to pause the playback.

Step 2: Set a Slower Playback Speed

Tap the More icon from the bottom-right corner, tap Playback speed from the menu that appears, and drag the slider that is present at the bottom to the left to reduce the speed. Alternatively, you can also repeatedly tap the down arrow that is present at the right of the slider to slow down the speed in the decrements of 0.05x.

play speed slow motion vlc android

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Tap anywhere on the screen, and when the Playback speed slider disappears, tap the screen one more time. Now, tap the Play icon from the bottom to resume the video playback.

Play Video in Slow Motion on iPhone with VLC

Step 1: Pause the Playback

Assuming that you have already added the video to the VLC library by connecting it to iTunes, launch the app on your iOS device (iPhone 13 Pro Max is used here for illustrations). Tap the video that you want to play in slow motion, and then tap the Pause icon from the bottom.

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed

Tap anywhere on the screen, and tap the Clock icon from the lower-left corner. Next, drag the Playback speed slider to the left to reduce the playback speed.

vlc iphone playback speed slow motion effect

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Right after decreasing the speed, tap the Play icon from the bottom to resume the playback. If the controllers disappear, you can tap anywhere on the screen again, and then tap the Play icon.

Part 4: How to Set up the Default Playback Speed on VLC?

The processes of setting up default playback speed on different platforms and devices vary. For your convenience, all of them are explained below:

Set up Default Playback Speed in VLC on Windows

  1. Go to Tools > Preferences in VLC media player, and then click the All button from the Show settings section at the bottom.
  2. Select Input / Codecs from the left pane of the Advanced Preferences box, and then specify your preferred speed in the Playback speed field that is present under the Playback control section on the right window
  3. Click Save to save the changes

set vlc media player default playback speed

Set up Default Playback Speed in VLC on Mac

  • Launch VLC, and go to VLC media player from the menu bar, and then click Preferences; and then click Show All from the bottom of the Preferences box to display all preferences setting options;

vlc media player default preferences interface

  • Click the Input / Codecs from the left pane, and then define your preferred speed in the Playback speed field under the Playback control section in the right window, and then click Save to save the changes.

change vlc media player default speed mac

How to Change VLC Media Player Default Speed on Android

Note: At the time of this writing, the Android version of VLC doesn’t allow you to set a global default playback speed. However, you can set it on a per video basis. This means that every time that video is played, the playback speed will remain what you set for it. You must do this for each video in your VLC library individually.

  • Launch VLC, and then tap More from the bottom-right corner; next, tap SETTINGS from the upper-left area;
  • Tap Video from the Extra settings section, and then check the Save Playback Speed box

change media default playback speed android vlc

How to Change VLC Media Player Default Speed on iOS and iPhone

  • Tap Settings from the Home screen, and then scroll down and tap VLC
  • Tap Default playback speed from the GENERIC section, and then tap to select a playback speed from the available list to set it as the default.

change default playback speed vlc iphone

Conclusion

It is pretty convenient to reduce the playback speed in VLC media player regardless of the platform or device you are using. While the processes of getting the job might be different, the principle behind it remains the same. When on Windows, the playback speed can be decreased to 0.02x and can be increased to more than 100x. This facility is not available on Mac, iOS, or Android platforms. Also, if you want, you can set the default playback speed for the videos so that every time a clip is played, the pace remains what you specified as default.

02 How to Play Slow Motion Effects on Mac with VLC?

03 How to Control Playback Speed in VLC Media Player on Android and iOS?

04 How to Set up the Default Playback Speed on VLC?

Part 1: How to Play Video in Slow Motion Effects on Windows with VLC?

VLC is one of the best media players to play videos in slow motion . You can follow the instructions that are given below to learn how to play a video in slow motion in VLC on a Windows PC:

Step 1: Start Video Playback

Launch VLC on your Windows computer (a Windows 11 PC is used here for illustrations), click Media from the menu bar at the top, click Open File from the menu, and locate and open a video that you want to watch in slow motion. If VLC is your default media player, simply double-clicking the clip automatically opens the file in the app.

open file to play slow motion on vlc

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed (In Decrements of 0.10x)

Once the playback begins, press the Spacebar on the keyboard to pause the video. Next, go to the Playback menu from the top, go to Speed, and click Slower (fine) once. This will reduce the speed to 0.90x. Clicking Slower (fine) again will further slow down the video to 0.80x speed. You can repeat this process until you reduce the speed to your desired level. Press Spacebar again to resume the playback in slow motion.

Note: The lowest speed that you can go to using this process is 0.03x.

vlc playback slower slow motion

Step 3: Reduce the Playback Speed (In Decrements in Percentage)

Pause the playback and go to Playback > Speed as explained in the previous step. From the list that comes up, click Slower (the last option). This will reduce the speed to 0.67x. Click Slower again and the speed will further go down to 0.50x. You can repeat this process until you reach your desired playback speed. Press Spacebar to resume the playback in slow motion. With this method, you can reduce the speed to as low as 0.02x.

Note: You can click Normal from the Speed submenu to play the video at normal speed.

play video slow motion on vlc slower

Step 4: Using the Shortcut Keys (Optional)

You can press the left square bracket ‘[‘ on your keyboard to reduce the speed in decrements of 0.10x. To get back to the normal speed, press the equals to ‘=’ key. Likewise, pressing the right square bracket ‘]’ increases the speed by 0.10x.

Note: As it is with the Slower (fine) and Slower options, you can use Faster (fine) to add 0.10x increments to the speed, and Faster to increase percentage-wise. Also, if Faster (fine) is clicked repeatedly or its shortcut key is used multiple times, the speed can be increased up to 31.25x. On the other hand, by using the Faster option repeatedly, the speed can be increased to more than 100x.

Part 2: How to Play Slow Motion Effects on Mac with VLC?

The process of slowing down the video playback in VLC on a Mac computer is almost identical to that in Windows. You can learn how to get this done by following the steps that are given below:

Step 1: Open and Pause the Video

Locate and right-click the video that you want to play in slow motion, go to Open With from the context menu, and click VLC from the submenu. Once the clip opens, click the Pause button from the bottom as explained in the previous section.

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed

Click Playback from the menu bar at the top, and drag the Playback Speed slider to the left to reduce the speed of the video.

play video slow motion on vlc mac

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Click anywhere on the screen to close the Playback menu, and then click the Play button from the bottom to resume the video playback in slow motion.

Part 3: How to Control Playback Speed in VLC Media Player on Android and iOS?

Although the playback speed of a video on both Android and iOS devices can be controlled with a slider, the location where the controller is placed on the two platforms varies, and so does the process of reaching there. Both the methods are explained below for your convenience:

Play Video in Slow Motion on Android with VLC

Step 1: Pause the Playback

Launch VLC on your Android phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ is used here for illustrations), locate and open the video in VLC, tap anywhere on the screen, and tap the Pause button from the bottom to pause the playback.

Step 2: Set a Slower Playback Speed

Tap the More icon from the bottom-right corner, tap Playback speed from the menu that appears, and drag the slider that is present at the bottom to the left to reduce the speed. Alternatively, you can also repeatedly tap the down arrow that is present at the right of the slider to slow down the speed in the decrements of 0.05x.

play speed slow motion vlc android

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Tap anywhere on the screen, and when the Playback speed slider disappears, tap the screen one more time. Now, tap the Play icon from the bottom to resume the video playback.

Play Video in Slow Motion on iPhone with VLC

Step 1: Pause the Playback

Assuming that you have already added the video to the VLC library by connecting it to iTunes, launch the app on your iOS device (iPhone 13 Pro Max is used here for illustrations). Tap the video that you want to play in slow motion, and then tap the Pause icon from the bottom.

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed

Tap anywhere on the screen, and tap the Clock icon from the lower-left corner. Next, drag the Playback speed slider to the left to reduce the playback speed.

vlc iphone playback speed slow motion effect

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Right after decreasing the speed, tap the Play icon from the bottom to resume the playback. If the controllers disappear, you can tap anywhere on the screen again, and then tap the Play icon.

Part 4: How to Set up the Default Playback Speed on VLC?

The processes of setting up default playback speed on different platforms and devices vary. For your convenience, all of them are explained below:

Set up Default Playback Speed in VLC on Windows

  1. Go to Tools > Preferences in VLC media player, and then click the All button from the Show settings section at the bottom.
  2. Select Input / Codecs from the left pane of the Advanced Preferences box, and then specify your preferred speed in the Playback speed field that is present under the Playback control section on the right window
  3. Click Save to save the changes

set vlc media player default playback speed

Set up Default Playback Speed in VLC on Mac

  • Launch VLC, and go to VLC media player from the menu bar, and then click Preferences; and then click Show All from the bottom of the Preferences box to display all preferences setting options;

vlc media player default preferences interface

  • Click the Input / Codecs from the left pane, and then define your preferred speed in the Playback speed field under the Playback control section in the right window, and then click Save to save the changes.

change vlc media player default speed mac

How to Change VLC Media Player Default Speed on Android

Note: At the time of this writing, the Android version of VLC doesn’t allow you to set a global default playback speed. However, you can set it on a per video basis. This means that every time that video is played, the playback speed will remain what you set for it. You must do this for each video in your VLC library individually.

  • Launch VLC, and then tap More from the bottom-right corner; next, tap SETTINGS from the upper-left area;
  • Tap Video from the Extra settings section, and then check the Save Playback Speed box

change media default playback speed android vlc

How to Change VLC Media Player Default Speed on iOS and iPhone

  • Tap Settings from the Home screen, and then scroll down and tap VLC
  • Tap Default playback speed from the GENERIC section, and then tap to select a playback speed from the available list to set it as the default.

change default playback speed vlc iphone

Conclusion

It is pretty convenient to reduce the playback speed in VLC media player regardless of the platform or device you are using. While the processes of getting the job might be different, the principle behind it remains the same. When on Windows, the playback speed can be decreased to 0.02x and can be increased to more than 100x. This facility is not available on Mac, iOS, or Android platforms. Also, if you want, you can set the default playback speed for the videos so that every time a clip is played, the pace remains what you specified as default.

02 How to Play Slow Motion Effects on Mac with VLC?

03 How to Control Playback Speed in VLC Media Player on Android and iOS?

04 How to Set up the Default Playback Speed on VLC?

Part 1: How to Play Video in Slow Motion Effects on Windows with VLC?

VLC is one of the best media players to play videos in slow motion . You can follow the instructions that are given below to learn how to play a video in slow motion in VLC on a Windows PC:

Step 1: Start Video Playback

Launch VLC on your Windows computer (a Windows 11 PC is used here for illustrations), click Media from the menu bar at the top, click Open File from the menu, and locate and open a video that you want to watch in slow motion. If VLC is your default media player, simply double-clicking the clip automatically opens the file in the app.

open file to play slow motion on vlc

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed (In Decrements of 0.10x)

Once the playback begins, press the Spacebar on the keyboard to pause the video. Next, go to the Playback menu from the top, go to Speed, and click Slower (fine) once. This will reduce the speed to 0.90x. Clicking Slower (fine) again will further slow down the video to 0.80x speed. You can repeat this process until you reduce the speed to your desired level. Press Spacebar again to resume the playback in slow motion.

Note: The lowest speed that you can go to using this process is 0.03x.

vlc playback slower slow motion

Step 3: Reduce the Playback Speed (In Decrements in Percentage)

Pause the playback and go to Playback > Speed as explained in the previous step. From the list that comes up, click Slower (the last option). This will reduce the speed to 0.67x. Click Slower again and the speed will further go down to 0.50x. You can repeat this process until you reach your desired playback speed. Press Spacebar to resume the playback in slow motion. With this method, you can reduce the speed to as low as 0.02x.

Note: You can click Normal from the Speed submenu to play the video at normal speed.

play video slow motion on vlc slower

Step 4: Using the Shortcut Keys (Optional)

You can press the left square bracket ‘[‘ on your keyboard to reduce the speed in decrements of 0.10x. To get back to the normal speed, press the equals to ‘=’ key. Likewise, pressing the right square bracket ‘]’ increases the speed by 0.10x.

Note: As it is with the Slower (fine) and Slower options, you can use Faster (fine) to add 0.10x increments to the speed, and Faster to increase percentage-wise. Also, if Faster (fine) is clicked repeatedly or its shortcut key is used multiple times, the speed can be increased up to 31.25x. On the other hand, by using the Faster option repeatedly, the speed can be increased to more than 100x.

Part 2: How to Play Slow Motion Effects on Mac with VLC?

The process of slowing down the video playback in VLC on a Mac computer is almost identical to that in Windows. You can learn how to get this done by following the steps that are given below:

Step 1: Open and Pause the Video

Locate and right-click the video that you want to play in slow motion, go to Open With from the context menu, and click VLC from the submenu. Once the clip opens, click the Pause button from the bottom as explained in the previous section.

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed

Click Playback from the menu bar at the top, and drag the Playback Speed slider to the left to reduce the speed of the video.

play video slow motion on vlc mac

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Click anywhere on the screen to close the Playback menu, and then click the Play button from the bottom to resume the video playback in slow motion.

Part 3: How to Control Playback Speed in VLC Media Player on Android and iOS?

Although the playback speed of a video on both Android and iOS devices can be controlled with a slider, the location where the controller is placed on the two platforms varies, and so does the process of reaching there. Both the methods are explained below for your convenience:

Play Video in Slow Motion on Android with VLC

Step 1: Pause the Playback

Launch VLC on your Android phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ is used here for illustrations), locate and open the video in VLC, tap anywhere on the screen, and tap the Pause button from the bottom to pause the playback.

Step 2: Set a Slower Playback Speed

Tap the More icon from the bottom-right corner, tap Playback speed from the menu that appears, and drag the slider that is present at the bottom to the left to reduce the speed. Alternatively, you can also repeatedly tap the down arrow that is present at the right of the slider to slow down the speed in the decrements of 0.05x.

play speed slow motion vlc android

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Tap anywhere on the screen, and when the Playback speed slider disappears, tap the screen one more time. Now, tap the Play icon from the bottom to resume the video playback.

Play Video in Slow Motion on iPhone with VLC

Step 1: Pause the Playback

Assuming that you have already added the video to the VLC library by connecting it to iTunes, launch the app on your iOS device (iPhone 13 Pro Max is used here for illustrations). Tap the video that you want to play in slow motion, and then tap the Pause icon from the bottom.

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed

Tap anywhere on the screen, and tap the Clock icon from the lower-left corner. Next, drag the Playback speed slider to the left to reduce the playback speed.

vlc iphone playback speed slow motion effect

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Right after decreasing the speed, tap the Play icon from the bottom to resume the playback. If the controllers disappear, you can tap anywhere on the screen again, and then tap the Play icon.

Part 4: How to Set up the Default Playback Speed on VLC?

The processes of setting up default playback speed on different platforms and devices vary. For your convenience, all of them are explained below:

Set up Default Playback Speed in VLC on Windows

  1. Go to Tools > Preferences in VLC media player, and then click the All button from the Show settings section at the bottom.
  2. Select Input / Codecs from the left pane of the Advanced Preferences box, and then specify your preferred speed in the Playback speed field that is present under the Playback control section on the right window
  3. Click Save to save the changes

set vlc media player default playback speed

Set up Default Playback Speed in VLC on Mac

  • Launch VLC, and go to VLC media player from the menu bar, and then click Preferences; and then click Show All from the bottom of the Preferences box to display all preferences setting options;

vlc media player default preferences interface

  • Click the Input / Codecs from the left pane, and then define your preferred speed in the Playback speed field under the Playback control section in the right window, and then click Save to save the changes.

change vlc media player default speed mac

How to Change VLC Media Player Default Speed on Android

Note: At the time of this writing, the Android version of VLC doesn’t allow you to set a global default playback speed. However, you can set it on a per video basis. This means that every time that video is played, the playback speed will remain what you set for it. You must do this for each video in your VLC library individually.

  • Launch VLC, and then tap More from the bottom-right corner; next, tap SETTINGS from the upper-left area;
  • Tap Video from the Extra settings section, and then check the Save Playback Speed box

change media default playback speed android vlc

How to Change VLC Media Player Default Speed on iOS and iPhone

  • Tap Settings from the Home screen, and then scroll down and tap VLC
  • Tap Default playback speed from the GENERIC section, and then tap to select a playback speed from the available list to set it as the default.

change default playback speed vlc iphone

Conclusion

It is pretty convenient to reduce the playback speed in VLC media player regardless of the platform or device you are using. While the processes of getting the job might be different, the principle behind it remains the same. When on Windows, the playback speed can be decreased to 0.02x and can be increased to more than 100x. This facility is not available on Mac, iOS, or Android platforms. Also, if you want, you can set the default playback speed for the videos so that every time a clip is played, the pace remains what you specified as default.

02 How to Play Slow Motion Effects on Mac with VLC?

03 How to Control Playback Speed in VLC Media Player on Android and iOS?

04 How to Set up the Default Playback Speed on VLC?

Part 1: How to Play Video in Slow Motion Effects on Windows with VLC?

VLC is one of the best media players to play videos in slow motion . You can follow the instructions that are given below to learn how to play a video in slow motion in VLC on a Windows PC:

Step 1: Start Video Playback

Launch VLC on your Windows computer (a Windows 11 PC is used here for illustrations), click Media from the menu bar at the top, click Open File from the menu, and locate and open a video that you want to watch in slow motion. If VLC is your default media player, simply double-clicking the clip automatically opens the file in the app.

open file to play slow motion on vlc

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed (In Decrements of 0.10x)

Once the playback begins, press the Spacebar on the keyboard to pause the video. Next, go to the Playback menu from the top, go to Speed, and click Slower (fine) once. This will reduce the speed to 0.90x. Clicking Slower (fine) again will further slow down the video to 0.80x speed. You can repeat this process until you reduce the speed to your desired level. Press Spacebar again to resume the playback in slow motion.

Note: The lowest speed that you can go to using this process is 0.03x.

vlc playback slower slow motion

Step 3: Reduce the Playback Speed (In Decrements in Percentage)

Pause the playback and go to Playback > Speed as explained in the previous step. From the list that comes up, click Slower (the last option). This will reduce the speed to 0.67x. Click Slower again and the speed will further go down to 0.50x. You can repeat this process until you reach your desired playback speed. Press Spacebar to resume the playback in slow motion. With this method, you can reduce the speed to as low as 0.02x.

Note: You can click Normal from the Speed submenu to play the video at normal speed.

play video slow motion on vlc slower

Step 4: Using the Shortcut Keys (Optional)

You can press the left square bracket ‘[‘ on your keyboard to reduce the speed in decrements of 0.10x. To get back to the normal speed, press the equals to ‘=’ key. Likewise, pressing the right square bracket ‘]’ increases the speed by 0.10x.

Note: As it is with the Slower (fine) and Slower options, you can use Faster (fine) to add 0.10x increments to the speed, and Faster to increase percentage-wise. Also, if Faster (fine) is clicked repeatedly or its shortcut key is used multiple times, the speed can be increased up to 31.25x. On the other hand, by using the Faster option repeatedly, the speed can be increased to more than 100x.

Part 2: How to Play Slow Motion Effects on Mac with VLC?

The process of slowing down the video playback in VLC on a Mac computer is almost identical to that in Windows. You can learn how to get this done by following the steps that are given below:

Step 1: Open and Pause the Video

Locate and right-click the video that you want to play in slow motion, go to Open With from the context menu, and click VLC from the submenu. Once the clip opens, click the Pause button from the bottom as explained in the previous section.

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed

Click Playback from the menu bar at the top, and drag the Playback Speed slider to the left to reduce the speed of the video.

play video slow motion on vlc mac

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Click anywhere on the screen to close the Playback menu, and then click the Play button from the bottom to resume the video playback in slow motion.

Part 3: How to Control Playback Speed in VLC Media Player on Android and iOS?

Although the playback speed of a video on both Android and iOS devices can be controlled with a slider, the location where the controller is placed on the two platforms varies, and so does the process of reaching there. Both the methods are explained below for your convenience:

Play Video in Slow Motion on Android with VLC

Step 1: Pause the Playback

Launch VLC on your Android phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ is used here for illustrations), locate and open the video in VLC, tap anywhere on the screen, and tap the Pause button from the bottom to pause the playback.

Step 2: Set a Slower Playback Speed

Tap the More icon from the bottom-right corner, tap Playback speed from the menu that appears, and drag the slider that is present at the bottom to the left to reduce the speed. Alternatively, you can also repeatedly tap the down arrow that is present at the right of the slider to slow down the speed in the decrements of 0.05x.

play speed slow motion vlc android

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Tap anywhere on the screen, and when the Playback speed slider disappears, tap the screen one more time. Now, tap the Play icon from the bottom to resume the video playback.

Play Video in Slow Motion on iPhone with VLC

Step 1: Pause the Playback

Assuming that you have already added the video to the VLC library by connecting it to iTunes, launch the app on your iOS device (iPhone 13 Pro Max is used here for illustrations). Tap the video that you want to play in slow motion, and then tap the Pause icon from the bottom.

Step 2: Reduce the Playback Speed

Tap anywhere on the screen, and tap the Clock icon from the lower-left corner. Next, drag the Playback speed slider to the left to reduce the playback speed.

vlc iphone playback speed slow motion effect

Step 3: Resume the Playback

Right after decreasing the speed, tap the Play icon from the bottom to resume the playback. If the controllers disappear, you can tap anywhere on the screen again, and then tap the Play icon.

Part 4: How to Set up the Default Playback Speed on VLC?

The processes of setting up default playback speed on different platforms and devices vary. For your convenience, all of them are explained below:

Set up Default Playback Speed in VLC on Windows

  1. Go to Tools > Preferences in VLC media player, and then click the All button from the Show settings section at the bottom.
  2. Select Input / Codecs from the left pane of the Advanced Preferences box, and then specify your preferred speed in the Playback speed field that is present under the Playback control section on the right window
  3. Click Save to save the changes

set vlc media player default playback speed

Set up Default Playback Speed in VLC on Mac

  • Launch VLC, and go to VLC media player from the menu bar, and then click Preferences; and then click Show All from the bottom of the Preferences box to display all preferences setting options;

vlc media player default preferences interface

  • Click the Input / Codecs from the left pane, and then define your preferred speed in the Playback speed field under the Playback control section in the right window, and then click Save to save the changes.

change vlc media player default speed mac

How to Change VLC Media Player Default Speed on Android

Note: At the time of this writing, the Android version of VLC doesn’t allow you to set a global default playback speed. However, you can set it on a per video basis. This means that every time that video is played, the playback speed will remain what you set for it. You must do this for each video in your VLC library individually.

  • Launch VLC, and then tap More from the bottom-right corner; next, tap SETTINGS from the upper-left area;
  • Tap Video from the Extra settings section, and then check the Save Playback Speed box

change media default playback speed android vlc

How to Change VLC Media Player Default Speed on iOS and iPhone

  • Tap Settings from the Home screen, and then scroll down and tap VLC
  • Tap Default playback speed from the GENERIC section, and then tap to select a playback speed from the available list to set it as the default.

change default playback speed vlc iphone

Conclusion

It is pretty convenient to reduce the playback speed in VLC media player regardless of the platform or device you are using. While the processes of getting the job might be different, the principle behind it remains the same. When on Windows, the playback speed can be decreased to 0.02x and can be increased to more than 100x. This facility is not available on Mac, iOS, or Android platforms. Also, if you want, you can set the default playback speed for the videos so that every time a clip is played, the pace remains what you specified as default.

Also read:

  • Title: In 2024, Top 8 Lightweight Video Editors for Smooth Performance
  • Author: Amelia
  • Created at : 2024-05-19 11:47:59
  • Updated at : 2024-05-20 11:47:59
  • Link: https://ai-driven-video-production.techidaily.com/in-2024-top-8-lightweight-video-editors-for-smooth-performance/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
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In 2024, Top 8 Lightweight Video Editors for Smooth Performance