The Free Player ThatOpens Every File on Mac
VLC for Mac plays MP4, MKV, AVI, DVDs and network streams with no codec packs. It runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel.
Why Mac Users Pick VLC Media Player
VLC for Mac plays almost every video and audio file you own. It needs no plugins, no account and no payment.
Plays everything
MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WebM, FLAC and MP3 all open on the first try. VLC Mac ships with its own codecs.
Full playback control
Change speed, sync subtitles, tune the equalizer and fix audio delay. Every setting lives in the menu bar.
Streams and converts
Open network streams, play from a NAS or convert video to MP4 with the built-in converter.
Presets and profiles
Save your video effects, audio filters and interface layout. Reload your favorite setup in one click.
Native Mac interface
Use the menu bar, full screen, Picture in Picture style floating video and a clean playlist sidebar.
Safe by design
VideoLAN publishes the source code. VLC for Mac has no ads, no bundled offers and no tracking.
Download and Install VLC for Mac
Grab the DMG from VideoLAN or install in one line with Homebrew.
Terminal installation
Advanced users can install VLC on Mac with a single command.
$ brew install --cask vlcHow to open Terminal on Mac
- Press ⌘ + Space to open Spotlight.
- Type Terminal.
- Press Return.
Installation via Terminal command
- Copy the command above.
- Paste it into Terminal.
- Press Return. VLC lands in Applications.
How VLC for Mac Works
Three moves take you from a fresh Mac to playing your first file.
Open a file
Drag any video onto the VLC icon or press ⌘ + O. Playback starts at once.
Tune the picture
Open the Audio and Video menus to set subtitles, speed and sync. VLC remembers your choices.
Stream or convert
Choose File, then Open Network to stream. Choose Convert / Stream to save a new MP4.
VLC vs QuickTime on Mac
QuickTime opens a short list of formats. VLC for Mac opens nearly everything, including MKV, AVI and FLAC, and it adds subtitle sync, speed control and streaming.
What Mac Users Say About VLC
Short notes from people who use VLC media player on Mac every week.
I dropped an MKV file on VLC for Mac and it just played. No codec packs, no fuss.
Tom H.Runs natively on my M2 MacBook Air and barely touches the battery. Better than QuickTime for my files.
Priya S.The subtitle delay shortcuts saved a movie night. Press H or J and the sync is fixed.
Jonas B.I installed VLC Mac with Homebrew in ten seconds. One command and it sat in Applications.
Elena V.Great player. The interface looks a little dated next to newer Mac apps, but playback is flawless.
Carlos D.I stream my NAS library straight into VLC over the network. It handles 4K files without stutter.
Hannah L.Converted a pile of old AVI clips to MP4 with the built-in converter. No extra app needed.
Omar K.No ads, no account, no tracking. This is how a free Mac video player should work.
Mia T.The download for VLC on my M1 Mac took a minute and the app opened every file I own.
Lukas P.VLC for Mac FAQ
Quick answers before you download.
Is VLC for Mac really free?
Yes. VLC for Mac costs nothing and shows no ads. VideoLAN publishes it as open-source software under the GPL.
What macOS version does VLC for Mac need?
VLC 3.0.24 needs Mac OS X 10.7.5 or later. It runs on any 64-bit Intel Mac and any Apple Silicon Mac.
Does VLC work on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3)?
Yes. The universal build runs natively on both chip types with no Rosetta. Native Apple Silicon support arrived in version 3.0.12.
How do I install VLC on Mac with Terminal?
Install Homebrew from brew.sh, open Terminal and run brew install --cask vlc. The app appears in Applications.
Where can I download VLC for Mac safely?
Use the official VideoLAN page at videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html. The file is about 95 MB.
Can VLC for Mac play DVDs and Blu-ray?
It plays DVDs, audio CDs and VCDs. Blu-ray playback works too, though encrypted discs may need an extra key database.
Which video formats does VLC Mac support?
MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, FLV, WebM, MP3 and FLAC all work without extra codec packs.
Is this the official VLC website?
No. VLCforMac.com is an independent guide. Every download link points to the official VideoLAN site.
Download VLC for Mac Today
Download VLC for Mac Free Release notesv3.0.24 · 95 MB · macOS 10.7.5+ · 4.8 / 5 rating