GOM Player vs VLC: Which Media Player Should You Choose?Choosing the right media player affects everyday video and audio playback, subtitle handling, streaming, and customization. GOM Player and VLC are two of the most popular free media players available for Windows (and for other platforms in VLC’s case). This article compares features, performance, format support, usability, customization, subtitles, streaming, privacy, and support to help you decide which one fits your needs.
Quick summary
- GOM Player: user-friendly interface, strong subtitle tools, built-in codec finder, and many playback conveniences. Contains ads and optional bundled software, and is Windows-focused.
- VLC: open-source, ad-free, cross-platform, extremely broad codec support out of the box, and highly extensible via plugins and command-line options. Interface is utilitarian and less flashy.
1. Platform availability and licensing
GOM Player
- Primarily developed for Windows; there is a GOM Player for macOS and a mobile version but the Windows client is the most feature-rich.
- Proprietary freeware with ad-supported elements and optional bundled extras.
VLC
- Open-source (GPL) and available across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and many niche OSes.
- Completely free and without ads.
2. Format and codec support
VLC
- Extensive native codec support — handles most containers and codecs (MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, FLAC, AAC, H.264, H.265/HEVC, VP8/9, AV1, etc.) without additional downloads.
- Good at playing incomplete or corrupted files.
GOM Player
- Supports a wide range of formats and includes a codec finder for missing codecs; however, some rare codecs may require extra downloads.
- Strong playback for common formats; performance depends on bundled codec packs when needed.
3. Performance and resource usage
VLC
- Generally efficient and stable; resource usage is moderate but can rise with high-resolution or heavily filtered playback.
- Hardware acceleration options are available and continually improved.
GOM Player
- Lightweight for typical playback, with smooth performance on many machines.
- Offers hardware acceleration settings; actual resource use can vary based on features enabled and bundled components.
4. User interface & ease of use
GOM Player
- Polished, modern UI with many visible controls and quick-access buttons.
- Easier for non-technical users who want accessible settings and visible features (skins, playlists, A-B repeat, speed control).
- Built-in search for subtitles and codec finder are integrated into the interface.
VLC
- Minimalist, functional interface — less flashy, more utilitarian.
- Powerful settings are available but sometimes hidden behind menus, which can intimidate casual users.
- Strong keyboard shortcut support and media library features for power users.
5. Subtitles and subtitle tools
GOM Player
- Excellent subtitle support and search integration — automatically finds and syncs subtitles from online databases, supports multiple subtitle formats, and provides subtitle timing and styling tools in the UI.
- Robust subtitle positioning, font, and encoding options.
VLC
- Solid subtitle support — supports multiple formats (SRT, ASS, SSA) and allows styling and synchronization.
- Subtitle download requires additional extensions or manual fetching; built-in search is not as seamless as GOM’s.
6. Streaming, casting and network playback
VLC
- Strong network and streaming features — can open network streams, act as a streaming server, transcode streams, and play many internet formats. Supports Chromecast (with some limitations), network shares, and advanced streaming protocols.
- Preferred choice for advanced streaming and network playback tasks.
GOM Player
- Supports network streams and online playback in basic ways; less suited for complex streaming setups or server/transcoding tasks.
- Simpler streaming features better for casual usage.
7. Customization and extensions
VLC
- Highly extensible via plugins, skins, and Lua scripts; many third-party add-ons exist.
- Open architecture allows community contributions and deep customization.
GOM Player
- Offers skins, visualizer options, and built-in features for playback customization.
- Fewer third-party plugins compared to VLC; more feature-complete out of the box for average users but less extensible.
8. Ads, privacy and bundled software
VLC
- No ads, no bundled third-party software — open-source and privacy-friendly.
- Large community and transparent development.
GOM Player
- Free but includes ads in the UI and offers optional bundled software during installation in some versions.
- Check installer options and privacy settings; the presence of ads may bother users concerned about minimal interfaces.
9. Advanced features and unique strengths
VLC unique strengths
- Network streaming and server capabilities.
- Wide platform support and open-source transparency.
- Strong command-line interface for batch processing and automation.
GOM Player unique strengths
- User-friendly subtitle search and sync.
- Easy-to-use playback controls, A-B repeat, and media library tailored for casual users.
- Attractive default UI and skins.
10. Which should you choose?
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Choose GOM Player if you:
- Prefer a polished, user-friendly interface and easy subtitle search/sync.
- Want quick-access playback features and skins.
- Use primarily Windows and value convenience over extensibility.
- Don’t mind occasional ads or carefully deselecting bundled extras during installation.
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Choose VLC if you:
- Want a completely ad-free, open-source player with the widest codec support.
- Need cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile).
- Plan to use network streaming, transcoding, or advanced customization.
- Prefer privacy and transparency (no bundled software).
11. Final verdict
If you want simplicity, excellent built-in subtitle tools, and a modern UI on Windows, GOM Player is a great choice. If you need cross-platform support, maximum codec compatibility, powerful streaming and customization, and an ad-free open-source solution, VLC is the better pick.
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