Comparison · Media players
Emby vs VLC media player: which is better in 2026?
VLC media player ranks higher in our list of media players (#1 against #6, score 91.5 against 83.0).
- 83.0Editorial score91.5
- 3Platforms5
- YesFree to useYes
- NoOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
Choose Emby if you want
Households with their own video and music library.
A personal media server that streams your own video, music, photos and live TV to phones, TVs and consoles. Premiere adds mobile downloads and hardware transcoding, and Jellyfin in this list is the open-source option.
Choose VLC media player if you want
Playing almost any file on any computer.
Plays nearly any audio or video format on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, and it is free and open source under GPL-2.0. It does not serve a library to other devices.
The main differences
- Only VLC media player runs on Linux.
- Only VLC media player runs on macOS.
- VLC media player is open source; Emby is not.
Side by side
 Emby |  VLC media player | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 83.0 | 91.5 |
| Rank in list | #6 of 10 | #1 of 10 |
| Price | Free plan, paid upgradesPremiere: $4.99 a month, $54 a year or $119 lifetime | Free and open sourceFree and open source; no ads or spyware, per its download page |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | AndroidiOSWindowsAndroid, iOS, Windows | WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Made by | Emby LLC | VideoLAN |
| Serves a home library | Yes | No |
| Best for | Households with their own video and music library | Playing almost any file on any computer |
| Strengths |
|
|
| Limits |
|
|
| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Emby vs VLC media player
- Is VLC media player better than Emby?
- VLC media player ranks higher in our list of media players (#1 against #6, score 91.5 against 83.0). Emby is best for: households with their own video and music library. VLC media player is best for: playing almost any file on any computer.
- Which is cheaper, Emby or VLC media player?
- Emby: Premiere: $4.99 a month, $54 a year or $119 lifetime. VLC media player: Free and open source; no ads or spyware, per its download page.
- Do Emby and VLC media player run on the same platforms?
- Emby supports Android, iOS, Windows. VLC media player supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
