Is VLC media player better than Infuse?

VLC media player ranks higher in our list of media players (#1 against #4, score 91.5 against 85.5). Infuse is best for: Apple users who play a large personal video library. VLC media player is best for: playing almost any file on any computer.

Which is cheaper, Infuse or VLC media player?

Infuse: Free app; Pro from $1.99 a month or $99.99 lifetime. VLC media player: Free and open source; no ads or spyware, per its download page.

Do Infuse and VLC media player run on the same platforms?

Infuse supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS. VLC media player supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.

Infuse vs VLC media player: Which Is Better? (2026)

85.5
Editorial score
91.5
3
Platforms
5
Yes
Free to use
Yes
No
Open source
Yes

Which should you choose?

Choose Infuse if you want

Apple users who play a large personal video library.

A video player for iPhone, iPad and Mac with subtitle downloads, cloud and network sources, and 4K Dolby Vision playback on Pro. It is Apple-only, and Pro costs $1.99 a month, $16.99 a year or $99.99 for a lifetime license.

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 Windows.
Only VLC media player runs on Android.
VLC media player is open source; Infuse is not.

Side by side

	Infuse	VLC media player
Score	85.5	91.5
Rank in list	#4 of 10	#1 of 10
Price	Free plan, paid upgradesFree app; Pro from $1.99 a month or $99.99 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	macOSiOS, iPadOSmacOS, iOS, iPadOS	WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Made by	Firecore	VideoLAN
Serves a home library	No	No
Best for	Apple users who play a large personal video library	Playing almost any file on any computer
Strengths	Plays many video formats with subtitle downloads Free to download on Apple devices	Plays nearly any audio or video format Free and open source under GPL-2.0 Runs on desktop and mobile systems
Limits	Apple devices only Full feature set needs Pro	Playback-focused, with no server or library features Not built for streaming a home library to other devices
Links	Visit site	Visit site

Questions about Infuse vs VLC media player

Is VLC media player better than Infuse?: VLC media player ranks higher in our list of media players (#1 against #4, score 91.5 against 85.5). Infuse is best for: Apple users who play a large personal video library. VLC media player is best for: playing almost any file on any computer.
Which is cheaper, Infuse or VLC media player?: Infuse: Free app; Pro from $1.99 a month or $99.99 lifetime. VLC media player: Free and open source; no ads or spyware, per its download page.
Do Infuse and VLC media player run on the same platforms?: Infuse supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS. VLC media player supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.