Side by side
foobar2000 vs VLC media player
Both stand on media player software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3
Choose foobar2000 if you want a free player with network playback and support for a wide variety of audio files, containers, discs, and radio. Linux users need Wine to use it.
Visit foobar2000 Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2
VLC covers a wide range of playback sources and formats across desktop and mobile systems. Its listed free plan has no spyware, ads or tracking, with no other limits stated.
Visit VLC media playerThe facts
| foobar2000 | VLC media player | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | VLC media player |
| Website | foobar2000.org | videolan.org |
| On media player software | #5 of 76 | #1 of 76 |
foobar2000: what it does well
- Free plan and free license model.
- Supports network playback.
- Available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
- Handles many audio formats, including Audio CD and HLS radio.
What to know first
- Linux support is through Wine.
- The supported-platform list names Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS directly.
VLC media player: what it does well
- Free to use, with no ads or user tracking.
- Plays files, discs, webcams, devices and streams.
- Supports subtitles, hardware acceleration and 4K playback.
- Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
- Supports skins and extensions.
What to know first
- No other free-tier limits are listed.
- Codec packs may still be needed for some codecs.
Alternatives to foobar2000 Alternatives to VLC media player The whole list