Why VLC Media Player Remains One of the Best in the World
- circular connection
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
This familiar traffic cone icon is more than just a media player. It represents digital freedom, functionality, and open-source excellence.
There are many media players out there, but only a few have earned the kind of trust, loyalty, and widespread use that VLC Media Player has. Developed by the VideoLAN non-profit organization and spearheaded by French software engineer Jean-Baptiste Kempf, VLC has become the go-to media player for millions globally.
What makes VLC so widely loved is not only its ability to play almost any audio or video file. It is also the project’s lasting commitment to being free, open-source, and completely ad-free.
A Legacy That Began with Students
VLC began as a student project at the École Centrale Paris in the 1990s. The initial goal was to design a tool capable of streaming videos across a campus network. This small academic project eventually evolved into a powerful, standalone media player. In 2001, VLC was officially open-sourced under the GNU General Public License (GPL), allowing developers across the globe to access and modify its code.
VLC Media Player: A Universal Media Player
One of VLC's most defining traits is its ability to handle nearly every audio and video format without requiring users to install external codecs. From high-efficiency formats to older file types, VLC supports them all. It is especially useful for those needing a dependable player that works across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Its consistent performance and wide compatibility make it a top choice not only for everyday media use but also for professional applications, streaming, and advanced functions such as transcoding.
The Man Behind VLC's Integrity
Jean-Baptiste Kempf, current president of VideoLAN and one of the project’s most dedicated contributors, joined the team in the early 2000s. His leadership has been pivotal in ensuring that VLC stays true to its values. Over the years, VLC has attracted the attention of commercial companies looking to buy or monetise the software.
Kempf has publicly stated that multi-million dollar offers were declined to protect the player’s independence. These proposals often included advertising, bundled software, or data tracking, all of which were firmly rejected. His rationale is simple: VLC must remain free from corporate control and true to the open-source mission and public trust.
A Project Driven by Community
Image: Facebook/VLC
VLC is entirely free and maintained through the efforts of volunteers, user donations, and sponsorships. This community-driven model keeps the software active and evolving. Regular updates continue to support new file formats, enhance performance, and ensure smooth functionality across all platforms.
Although VLC is over twenty years old, it remains modern and widely used thanks to this dedicated network. Its transparency and reliability set it apart in today’s crowded app environment.
Why VLC Still Leads
In a saturated market of media players, VLC continues to stand out for its straightforward design, dependable performance, and principled foundation. Users are not burdened by pop-ups, subscriptions, or hidden costs. VLC simply delivers what is needed, smoothly and without interference.
For those looking for a tool that is versatile, secure, and privacy-conscious, VLC is not only a convenient choice. It is an ethical one.
Find out more about VLC here!
