Best Video Players Apps for Android in 2023

With the proliferation of digital video content and formats, mobile devices like phones and tablets need capable video player apps more than ever. The right player can handle anything from legacy AVI files to cutting-edge UHD and 4K video. Advanced players provide smooth playback, rich format support, customization options, and utility features that enhance the viewing experience. This article highlights some of the top options available for the Android platform. Whether you need niche format support or a sleek, lightweight option, there’s a player that will fit your needs. Keep reading to see the capabilities of these versatile video apps.

1. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a feature-packed, open-source video app capable of playing just about any file format you can find. It utilizes libavcodec for decoding support, allowing it to handle codecs like H.264, H.265, DivX, MPEG-4, VP9, and hundreds more. VLC provides extensive customization, allowing you to tweak the interface, playlists, streaming options, subtitles, audio sync, gestures, and more. It can play network streams, DVDs, CDs, VCDs, and other media types. VLC also supports Chromecast for easy streaming to your TV. Overall, VLC brings excellent format support and customization in a completely free app.

Pros:

• Plays virtually every video and audio format

• Free and open source

• Highly customizable interface

• Chromecast support

• Broad subtitle support

• Network file streaming capability

Cons:

• Can be resource intensive

• Interface lacks polish at times

• Limited playback speed controls

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2. MX Player

MX Player is an extremely popular video player, known for its smooth software decoding and hardware acceleration support. It can take advantage of advanced mobile processors and GPUs for smoother, stutter-free playback. Custom codec downloads allow MX Player to handle just about any video file too. It provides pinch-to-zoom, kid lock, multilanguage subtitles, gesture and shake controls, floating and popup playback, and playback speed adjustment from 0.25x to 4x. MX Player also brings audio enhancements like volume boost, bass boost, reverb effects, and equalizer presets. The app is highly customizable with different skins and layout options as well.

Pros:

• Excellent hardware acceleration for smooth playback

• Kids lock and gesture controls

• Advanced subtitle support and tweaking

• Extensive playback speed controls

• Floating and pop-up player options

Cons:

• Contains ads in free version

• Less broad format support than VLC

• Codec finding can be hit or miss

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3. KMPlayer

KMPlayer is a powerful media player equipped with internal codec support, eliminating the need for separate codec downloads. It can play all common formats like AVI, MKV, Ogg, FLV, WMV, MOV, and more. KMPlayer provides customizable gestures, quick access playback tools, audio equalizers, 3D formats, Blu-ray ISO support, and seamless playback with auto-resume. The app interfaces well with mobile device hardware for smooth playback too. If you deal with more obscure Asian video formats like UHD M2TS or HEVC, KMPlayer likely has the codecs built-in to handle them. It's an excellent jack-of-all-trades player.

Pros:

• Built-in codec support for obscure formats

• Audio equalizer and boost

• Network file playback support

• Gesture and touch controls

• Chromecast casting support

Cons:

• Limited subtitle formatting options

• Less customization than VLC

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4. BSPlayer

 

BSPlayer aims to be a quicker, lighter-weight video player option while still supporting a wide range of file formats. It can play AVI, MKV, MP4/H.264, MPEG-1/2, FLV, MOV and other common formats smoothly. Useful playback features include pop-up video for floating player windows, kid lock, gesture controls, subtitle support, and playback speed control. BSPlayer also supports audio-only formats like MP3, FLAC, AAC, OGG and more. An audio equalizer allows you to tweak the sound output as well. While more limited than VLC, BSPlayer provides capable playback in a smaller package.

Pros:

• Fast and lightweight

• Pop-up player for multitasking

• Kids lock and playback speed controls

• Supports subtitles and audio formats

• Chromecast casting support

Cons:

• Limited codec support

• Fewer features than other players

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5. GOM Player

GOM Player focuses heavily on playback quality and subtitle support. It can play all key video formats like AVI, MKV, MP4, FLV, MOV, and more. GOM Player's codec finder service automatically downloads missing codecs when you open unsupported files. Advanced subtitle options allow syncing, font adjustments, overlay tweaking, and more. Other features include video rotation, color controls, playback speed adjustment, video effects like deinterlacing and noise reduction, skinnable interfaces, and more. For the ultimate video tweaking experience, GOM Player has all the enhancement tools you need.

Pros:

• Automatic codec downloading

• Advanced subtitle tweaking tools

• Video enhancement filters and effects

• Skinnable and customizable interface

• DVD playback support

Cons:

• Contains ads

• More resource intensive

• Steep learning curve

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6. FX Player

FX Player keeps things simple while providing playback tools when you need them. It centers around an easy-to-use interface but can still handle all common formats like MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, FLV, 3GP, M4V. Useful controls include aspect ratio adjustment, zooming, playback resume, multi-audio stream selection, Chromecast support, subtitles, auto-rotation etc. FX Player also integrates well with Android TV hardware like the Nvidia Shield TV. While it lacks some of the more advanced functions of VLC and MX Player, FX Player hits a nice balance for casual use.

Pros:

• Resume playback support

• Easy to use with clean interface

• Aspect ratio and zoom controls

• Multiple audio stream selection

• Chromecast casting support

Cons:

• Lacks advanced customization and tweaking

• Limited subtitle options

• No support for more obscure formats

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7. PLAYit

PLAYit is an all-in-one Android video player supporting virtually every format including 4K and UHD. It provides smooth playback leveraging hardware acceleration and multi-core decoding. Useful features include a pop-up player, subtitle downloading, extensive audio controls, Chromecast support, privacy protection, and gesture controls. PLAYit aims to be the one video app you need to be installed to handle any media file thrown your way. It brings robust playback to Android in an easy-to-use package.

Pros:

• Supports a wide range of video formats including 4K and UHD

• Hardware acceleration for smooth playback

• Pop-up and floating player windows

• Casting support to TVs and Chromecast

• Privacy protection with password and private folder

Cons:

• Contains ads if using free version

• Limited customization options

• Smaller user base than VLC and MX Player

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Conclusion

As we've seen, there are many excellent video player options for Android, each with their own strengths. VLC and MX Player are well-rounded picks that will handle virtually anything you throw at them. KMPlayer, GOM Player are great for more obscure Asian codecs and formats. For lighter options, BSPlayer, PLAYit, and FX Player fit the bill. Overall, it's hard to go wrong with any of these players. Each one brings capable playback and useful features to enhance video watching on your mobile device. Try out a few and see which one becomes your go-to for enjoying media on the go.

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