VLC media player (VideoLAN)
Worth it
Confidence: High
If you watch video on a computer, use VLC . it is free, plays nearly everything, and has no paid tier to upsell you.
Comparison
VLC media player (VideoLAN) vs IINA - The modern media player for macOS
VLC media player (VideoLAN) and IINA - The modern media player for macOS both land on Worth it.
IINA - The modern media player for macOS
Worth it
Confidence: Medium
Any Mac user who plays local video files should install it . it is free, open source, and plays nearly every format.
| Compare | VLC media player (VideoLAN) | IINA - The modern media player for macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Worth it | Worth it |
| Best for | Anyone with odd video formats (.dav, camcorder, dashcam) | Mac users with mixed-format video libraries |
| Who it's not for | Businesses needing vendor SLAs or support contracts | iPhone/iPad users . no iOS or iPadOS app exists |
| Privacy | Actively patched open-source project, but vulnerabilities recur . keep it updated and download only from the official site.³ | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. |
| Support quality | Community forums only; no vendor helpdesk | Community project; no security page found |
| Public sentiment | Forums overwhelmingly treat VLC as the default free fix for unplayable video, while other threads surface fake-download and security worries. | Users widely recommend IINA as the best-looking free macOS player, though some find VLC lighter on old hardware. |
| Biggest gotcha | Download only from . typo-squatted mirror domains exist.10 | App Sandbox not enabled . think twice on managed or security-conscious Macs |
Pick VLC media player (VideoLAN) when
- Anyone with odd video formats (.dav, camcorder, dashcam)
- People avoiding paid codec packs
- Screen recording and streaming on a budget
- 8K/360-degree video playback
When VLC media player (VideoLAN) is not a fit
- Businesses needing vendor SLAs or support contracts
- IT teams wanting centralized, policy-managed deployments
- Security-strict orgs that ban unsigned open-source apps
- Anyone unwilling to keep software updated themselves
Pick IINA - The modern media player for macOS when
- Mac users with mixed-format video libraries
- Open-source fans avoiding Infuse/Movist subscriptions
- mpv power users wanting a GUI
- Picture-in-Picture and browser-extension workflows
When IINA - The modern media player for macOS is not a fit
- iPhone/iPad users . no iOS or iPadOS app exists
- Windows or Linux users . macOS only
- Old low-RAM Macs . VLC ran lighter in one head-to-head test
- Security-hardened environments . App Sandbox not enabled
Sources
- VLC official site and downloadvideolan.orgofficial
- VideoLAN product security pagevideolan.orgofficial
- CVE-2025-51602: VLC DoS Vulnerabilitysentinelone.comsecurity
- VideoLAN Patches Critical Vulnerability in VLCsecurityweek.comsecurity
- VLC 3.0.23 patch status, CVEs & trackinglavawall.comsecurity
- VLC Player 3.0.20 includes security fixestalk.tidbits.comsecurity
- .dav video player . Spiceworks communitycommunity.spiceworks.comreview
- VLC banned after Cicada hacking campaignfacebook.comnews
- VLC creator refused millions to sellreddit.comnews
- What's the official link . r/VLCreddit.comreview
- IINA official siteiina.ioofficial
- IINA download pageiina.ioofficial
- IINA plugin systemiina.ioofficial
- IINA nightly buildsiina.ioofficial
- IINA security pageiina.iosecurity
- IINA vs VLC battery/RAM testreddit.comreview