Fixed: Frequent Crashes in Final Cut Pro X (Updated )

Solved: Final Cut Pro X Keeps Crashing

Benjamin Arango

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

Apple launched an advanced video editing tool, Final Cut Pro, back in 1999 and it didn’t take very long to get popular and gain recognition among the photographers and videographers. Later in 2003, Final cut pro beats Final Cut Express, click to learn why . One of the best features that help it stand out from the rest of the video editors is that it is supported by all Mac systems and has permitted Apple to make it fully enhanced in terms of efficiency and speed, enabling it to edit even 4K UND footage without any rendering issues.

Along with such exciting advantages, the video editing tool comes with several disadvantages too. It is complex to understand especially for beginners and most importantly it keeps crashing, corrupting the file even if it is saved properly on your Mac system, which can lead to your entire work being lost. Several Final Cut Pro X users complain that their work gets corrupted as the video editing tool keeps crashing after intervals.

If you can relate to this scenario, you will find this blog post helpful as we have listed some methods that can possibly fix the crashing problem and save your hours of video editing efforts. Keep reading to know the steps that can prevent your video editor from crashing.

Why Does Final Cut Pro X Keep Crashing?

According to Final Cut Pro X users, the video editor is a reliable and solid program, but it can be really frustrating for them when it keeps crashing. If your Final Cut Pro X video editor and program tool also keep acting up, it can probably be because of the corrupted preferences file.

A corrupted preferences file occurs when you do not reset your preferences and settings in the first place. Not resetting the preferences can corrupt the file and end up crashing the video editing tool, damaging the whole video. All those who want to troubleshoot and require methods to fix the crashing issue should take a few steps to resolve the problem which leads us to our second section.

What to Do if Final Cut Pro X Keeps Crashing on Your Mac System?

One of the major issues in Final Cut Pro X is the crashing problem on the Mac system. If you encounter this problem and learn to isolate, troubleshoot, and fix this issue following the below methods, you will likely resolve the crashing problem on your own. However, you should always ensure keeping a back-up of your Final Cut Pro X media, libraries, and applications as a whole in order to keep the data before following the below steps.

Method 1: Resetting Final Cut Pro X Preferences and Settings

As mentioned above, resetting the preferences and settings can help in resolving the crashing issue. Resetting preferences will not affect your projects, libraries, or media. With resetting, we mean that you should change the custom preference settings to the default settings. Before you take the plunge to reset your preferences, you should choose Final Cut Pro over Preferences and note all the specific settings that you have to make.

Follow the below steps to reset the preferences in Final Cut Pro X:

Step 1: Quit working on Final Cut Pro.

Step 2: Hold down the option and command keys, then open the Final Cut Pro.

Step 3: Click on the delete preferences option.

Step 4: In the last step, recreate the issue that you were having during video editing. If the problem is resolved, you should open Final Cut Pro preferences and apply the custom settings again.

Step 5: And, it’s done!

This method will reset all your preferences to default settings and this way it will empty the list of the recent libraries and media. Though the entire libraries are not erased, you will be able to find them in the specified location when you first created them. But they will only be there if you have created a back-up of your data. That is why we mentioned in the beginning to create a back-up of your Final Cut Pro data in the first place.

With the help of fixing the Final Cut Pro X preferences, you will be able to fix a lot of your problems especially the crashing one. The preferences are deeply embedded into the program operation even if we cannot directly amend most of them.

Method 2: Restart Your Mac

If you find that there is a major crashing problem, another way to fix the problem is to restart the computer and by resetting the Final Cut Pro-related system resources. Here are the steps that you should follow to restart your Mac system:

Step 1: Choose the Apple menu.

Step 2: Reopen the Final Cut Pro.

Step 3: Reproduce the issue and see if the problem still exists.

If your Final Cut Pro X acts up on your Mac system, you should try restarting the system following the aforementioned steps. In case, restarting doesn’t fix the issue, you should apply the first method.

Always remember to leave some extra space for software like FCPX to run freely. Click to see more tips on free up space in FCPX and Mac.

The Best Easy-to-use Alternative to Final Cut Pro X for Beginners

If you often face crashing issues on your Final Cut Pro X video editing program, you should consider downloading one of the best and easy-to-use alternatives to it, i.e. Wondershare Filmora. It is a professional video editing and very simple professional tool that can assist you in editing the desired video flawlessly.

In addition to basic video editing, users can use this application on the Mac system utilizing its modern editing features including audio compressor, automatic audio sync, ranger markers, audio noise reduction, and color correction with plentiful presents, auto-corrections, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It has a very simple and easy-to-use interface and low system requirements which can be helpful for both beginners and experienced video editors.

Final Thoughts

If you usually experience crashing issues in Final Cut Pro X, you should follow the aforementioned methods which would likely fix the problem. But if that doesn’t help, you can download Wondershare Filmora today. Best for beginners and experienced users, this video editing tool is free of cost and has a user-friendly interface, letting you effortlessly edit your videos incorporating the advanced features and effects in no time.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

Apple launched an advanced video editing tool, Final Cut Pro, back in 1999 and it didn’t take very long to get popular and gain recognition among the photographers and videographers. Later in 2003, Final cut pro beats Final Cut Express, click to learn why . One of the best features that help it stand out from the rest of the video editors is that it is supported by all Mac systems and has permitted Apple to make it fully enhanced in terms of efficiency and speed, enabling it to edit even 4K UND footage without any rendering issues.

Along with such exciting advantages, the video editing tool comes with several disadvantages too. It is complex to understand especially for beginners and most importantly it keeps crashing, corrupting the file even if it is saved properly on your Mac system, which can lead to your entire work being lost. Several Final Cut Pro X users complain that their work gets corrupted as the video editing tool keeps crashing after intervals.

If you can relate to this scenario, you will find this blog post helpful as we have listed some methods that can possibly fix the crashing problem and save your hours of video editing efforts. Keep reading to know the steps that can prevent your video editor from crashing.

Why Does Final Cut Pro X Keep Crashing?

According to Final Cut Pro X users, the video editor is a reliable and solid program, but it can be really frustrating for them when it keeps crashing. If your Final Cut Pro X video editor and program tool also keep acting up, it can probably be because of the corrupted preferences file.

A corrupted preferences file occurs when you do not reset your preferences and settings in the first place. Not resetting the preferences can corrupt the file and end up crashing the video editing tool, damaging the whole video. All those who want to troubleshoot and require methods to fix the crashing issue should take a few steps to resolve the problem which leads us to our second section.

What to Do if Final Cut Pro X Keeps Crashing on Your Mac System?

One of the major issues in Final Cut Pro X is the crashing problem on the Mac system. If you encounter this problem and learn to isolate, troubleshoot, and fix this issue following the below methods, you will likely resolve the crashing problem on your own. However, you should always ensure keeping a back-up of your Final Cut Pro X media, libraries, and applications as a whole in order to keep the data before following the below steps.

Method 1: Resetting Final Cut Pro X Preferences and Settings

As mentioned above, resetting the preferences and settings can help in resolving the crashing issue. Resetting preferences will not affect your projects, libraries, or media. With resetting, we mean that you should change the custom preference settings to the default settings. Before you take the plunge to reset your preferences, you should choose Final Cut Pro over Preferences and note all the specific settings that you have to make.

Follow the below steps to reset the preferences in Final Cut Pro X:

Step 1: Quit working on Final Cut Pro.

Step 2: Hold down the option and command keys, then open the Final Cut Pro.

Step 3: Click on the delete preferences option.

Step 4: In the last step, recreate the issue that you were having during video editing. If the problem is resolved, you should open Final Cut Pro preferences and apply the custom settings again.

Step 5: And, it’s done!

This method will reset all your preferences to default settings and this way it will empty the list of the recent libraries and media. Though the entire libraries are not erased, you will be able to find them in the specified location when you first created them. But they will only be there if you have created a back-up of your data. That is why we mentioned in the beginning to create a back-up of your Final Cut Pro data in the first place.

With the help of fixing the Final Cut Pro X preferences, you will be able to fix a lot of your problems especially the crashing one. The preferences are deeply embedded into the program operation even if we cannot directly amend most of them.

Method 2: Restart Your Mac

If you find that there is a major crashing problem, another way to fix the problem is to restart the computer and by resetting the Final Cut Pro-related system resources. Here are the steps that you should follow to restart your Mac system:

Step 1: Choose the Apple menu.

Step 2: Reopen the Final Cut Pro.

Step 3: Reproduce the issue and see if the problem still exists.

If your Final Cut Pro X acts up on your Mac system, you should try restarting the system following the aforementioned steps. In case, restarting doesn’t fix the issue, you should apply the first method.

Always remember to leave some extra space for software like FCPX to run freely. Click to see more tips on free up space in FCPX and Mac.

The Best Easy-to-use Alternative to Final Cut Pro X for Beginners

If you often face crashing issues on your Final Cut Pro X video editing program, you should consider downloading one of the best and easy-to-use alternatives to it, i.e. Wondershare Filmora. It is a professional video editing and very simple professional tool that can assist you in editing the desired video flawlessly.

In addition to basic video editing, users can use this application on the Mac system utilizing its modern editing features including audio compressor, automatic audio sync, ranger markers, audio noise reduction, and color correction with plentiful presents, auto-corrections, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It has a very simple and easy-to-use interface and low system requirements which can be helpful for both beginners and experienced video editors.

Final Thoughts

If you usually experience crashing issues in Final Cut Pro X, you should follow the aforementioned methods which would likely fix the problem. But if that doesn’t help, you can download Wondershare Filmora today. Best for beginners and experienced users, this video editing tool is free of cost and has a user-friendly interface, letting you effortlessly edit your videos incorporating the advanced features and effects in no time.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

Apple launched an advanced video editing tool, Final Cut Pro, back in 1999 and it didn’t take very long to get popular and gain recognition among the photographers and videographers. Later in 2003, Final cut pro beats Final Cut Express, click to learn why . One of the best features that help it stand out from the rest of the video editors is that it is supported by all Mac systems and has permitted Apple to make it fully enhanced in terms of efficiency and speed, enabling it to edit even 4K UND footage without any rendering issues.

Along with such exciting advantages, the video editing tool comes with several disadvantages too. It is complex to understand especially for beginners and most importantly it keeps crashing, corrupting the file even if it is saved properly on your Mac system, which can lead to your entire work being lost. Several Final Cut Pro X users complain that their work gets corrupted as the video editing tool keeps crashing after intervals.

If you can relate to this scenario, you will find this blog post helpful as we have listed some methods that can possibly fix the crashing problem and save your hours of video editing efforts. Keep reading to know the steps that can prevent your video editor from crashing.

Why Does Final Cut Pro X Keep Crashing?

According to Final Cut Pro X users, the video editor is a reliable and solid program, but it can be really frustrating for them when it keeps crashing. If your Final Cut Pro X video editor and program tool also keep acting up, it can probably be because of the corrupted preferences file.

A corrupted preferences file occurs when you do not reset your preferences and settings in the first place. Not resetting the preferences can corrupt the file and end up crashing the video editing tool, damaging the whole video. All those who want to troubleshoot and require methods to fix the crashing issue should take a few steps to resolve the problem which leads us to our second section.

What to Do if Final Cut Pro X Keeps Crashing on Your Mac System?

One of the major issues in Final Cut Pro X is the crashing problem on the Mac system. If you encounter this problem and learn to isolate, troubleshoot, and fix this issue following the below methods, you will likely resolve the crashing problem on your own. However, you should always ensure keeping a back-up of your Final Cut Pro X media, libraries, and applications as a whole in order to keep the data before following the below steps.

Method 1: Resetting Final Cut Pro X Preferences and Settings

As mentioned above, resetting the preferences and settings can help in resolving the crashing issue. Resetting preferences will not affect your projects, libraries, or media. With resetting, we mean that you should change the custom preference settings to the default settings. Before you take the plunge to reset your preferences, you should choose Final Cut Pro over Preferences and note all the specific settings that you have to make.

Follow the below steps to reset the preferences in Final Cut Pro X:

Step 1: Quit working on Final Cut Pro.

Step 2: Hold down the option and command keys, then open the Final Cut Pro.

Step 3: Click on the delete preferences option.

Step 4: In the last step, recreate the issue that you were having during video editing. If the problem is resolved, you should open Final Cut Pro preferences and apply the custom settings again.

Step 5: And, it’s done!

This method will reset all your preferences to default settings and this way it will empty the list of the recent libraries and media. Though the entire libraries are not erased, you will be able to find them in the specified location when you first created them. But they will only be there if you have created a back-up of your data. That is why we mentioned in the beginning to create a back-up of your Final Cut Pro data in the first place.

With the help of fixing the Final Cut Pro X preferences, you will be able to fix a lot of your problems especially the crashing one. The preferences are deeply embedded into the program operation even if we cannot directly amend most of them.

Method 2: Restart Your Mac

If you find that there is a major crashing problem, another way to fix the problem is to restart the computer and by resetting the Final Cut Pro-related system resources. Here are the steps that you should follow to restart your Mac system:

Step 1: Choose the Apple menu.

Step 2: Reopen the Final Cut Pro.

Step 3: Reproduce the issue and see if the problem still exists.

If your Final Cut Pro X acts up on your Mac system, you should try restarting the system following the aforementioned steps. In case, restarting doesn’t fix the issue, you should apply the first method.

Always remember to leave some extra space for software like FCPX to run freely. Click to see more tips on free up space in FCPX and Mac.

The Best Easy-to-use Alternative to Final Cut Pro X for Beginners

If you often face crashing issues on your Final Cut Pro X video editing program, you should consider downloading one of the best and easy-to-use alternatives to it, i.e. Wondershare Filmora. It is a professional video editing and very simple professional tool that can assist you in editing the desired video flawlessly.

In addition to basic video editing, users can use this application on the Mac system utilizing its modern editing features including audio compressor, automatic audio sync, ranger markers, audio noise reduction, and color correction with plentiful presents, auto-corrections, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It has a very simple and easy-to-use interface and low system requirements which can be helpful for both beginners and experienced video editors.

Final Thoughts

If you usually experience crashing issues in Final Cut Pro X, you should follow the aforementioned methods which would likely fix the problem. But if that doesn’t help, you can download Wondershare Filmora today. Best for beginners and experienced users, this video editing tool is free of cost and has a user-friendly interface, letting you effortlessly edit your videos incorporating the advanced features and effects in no time.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

Apple launched an advanced video editing tool, Final Cut Pro, back in 1999 and it didn’t take very long to get popular and gain recognition among the photographers and videographers. Later in 2003, Final cut pro beats Final Cut Express, click to learn why . One of the best features that help it stand out from the rest of the video editors is that it is supported by all Mac systems and has permitted Apple to make it fully enhanced in terms of efficiency and speed, enabling it to edit even 4K UND footage without any rendering issues.

Along with such exciting advantages, the video editing tool comes with several disadvantages too. It is complex to understand especially for beginners and most importantly it keeps crashing, corrupting the file even if it is saved properly on your Mac system, which can lead to your entire work being lost. Several Final Cut Pro X users complain that their work gets corrupted as the video editing tool keeps crashing after intervals.

If you can relate to this scenario, you will find this blog post helpful as we have listed some methods that can possibly fix the crashing problem and save your hours of video editing efforts. Keep reading to know the steps that can prevent your video editor from crashing.

Why Does Final Cut Pro X Keep Crashing?

According to Final Cut Pro X users, the video editor is a reliable and solid program, but it can be really frustrating for them when it keeps crashing. If your Final Cut Pro X video editor and program tool also keep acting up, it can probably be because of the corrupted preferences file.

A corrupted preferences file occurs when you do not reset your preferences and settings in the first place. Not resetting the preferences can corrupt the file and end up crashing the video editing tool, damaging the whole video. All those who want to troubleshoot and require methods to fix the crashing issue should take a few steps to resolve the problem which leads us to our second section.

What to Do if Final Cut Pro X Keeps Crashing on Your Mac System?

One of the major issues in Final Cut Pro X is the crashing problem on the Mac system. If you encounter this problem and learn to isolate, troubleshoot, and fix this issue following the below methods, you will likely resolve the crashing problem on your own. However, you should always ensure keeping a back-up of your Final Cut Pro X media, libraries, and applications as a whole in order to keep the data before following the below steps.

Method 1: Resetting Final Cut Pro X Preferences and Settings

As mentioned above, resetting the preferences and settings can help in resolving the crashing issue. Resetting preferences will not affect your projects, libraries, or media. With resetting, we mean that you should change the custom preference settings to the default settings. Before you take the plunge to reset your preferences, you should choose Final Cut Pro over Preferences and note all the specific settings that you have to make.

Follow the below steps to reset the preferences in Final Cut Pro X:

Step 1: Quit working on Final Cut Pro.

Step 2: Hold down the option and command keys, then open the Final Cut Pro.

Step 3: Click on the delete preferences option.

Step 4: In the last step, recreate the issue that you were having during video editing. If the problem is resolved, you should open Final Cut Pro preferences and apply the custom settings again.

Step 5: And, it’s done!

This method will reset all your preferences to default settings and this way it will empty the list of the recent libraries and media. Though the entire libraries are not erased, you will be able to find them in the specified location when you first created them. But they will only be there if you have created a back-up of your data. That is why we mentioned in the beginning to create a back-up of your Final Cut Pro data in the first place.

With the help of fixing the Final Cut Pro X preferences, you will be able to fix a lot of your problems especially the crashing one. The preferences are deeply embedded into the program operation even if we cannot directly amend most of them.

Method 2: Restart Your Mac

If you find that there is a major crashing problem, another way to fix the problem is to restart the computer and by resetting the Final Cut Pro-related system resources. Here are the steps that you should follow to restart your Mac system:

Step 1: Choose the Apple menu.

Step 2: Reopen the Final Cut Pro.

Step 3: Reproduce the issue and see if the problem still exists.

If your Final Cut Pro X acts up on your Mac system, you should try restarting the system following the aforementioned steps. In case, restarting doesn’t fix the issue, you should apply the first method.

Always remember to leave some extra space for software like FCPX to run freely. Click to see more tips on free up space in FCPX and Mac.

The Best Easy-to-use Alternative to Final Cut Pro X for Beginners

If you often face crashing issues on your Final Cut Pro X video editing program, you should consider downloading one of the best and easy-to-use alternatives to it, i.e. Wondershare Filmora. It is a professional video editing and very simple professional tool that can assist you in editing the desired video flawlessly.

In addition to basic video editing, users can use this application on the Mac system utilizing its modern editing features including audio compressor, automatic audio sync, ranger markers, audio noise reduction, and color correction with plentiful presents, auto-corrections, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It has a very simple and easy-to-use interface and low system requirements which can be helpful for both beginners and experienced video editors.

Final Thoughts

If you usually experience crashing issues in Final Cut Pro X, you should follow the aforementioned methods which would likely fix the problem. But if that doesn’t help, you can download Wondershare Filmora today. Best for beginners and experienced users, this video editing tool is free of cost and has a user-friendly interface, letting you effortlessly edit your videos incorporating the advanced features and effects in no time.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Top Time-Lapse Video Editors : Free and Paid Options

Best Time-Lapse Video Editing Software in 2024

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

All types of vistas change as time passes. Consequently, an outdoor scene looks differently throughout different parts of the day, which makes it impossible to capture the full extent of its beauty by snapping a single photo or recording a short video of it.

That is why you must utilize the time-lapse technique to depict the passage of time at a particular shooting location and create a sequence in your video that suggests that a certain amount of time has passed by. So in this article, we will take you through some of the best time-lapse video editing software you can find on the market in 2024.

Best Time-Lapse Video Post-Production Software in 2024

There are two different recording methods you can use to create time-lapse videos. You can either record videos or take photos at a precisely set interval, but regardless of the approach you choose, you must have the right equipment for the job.

This means that you must have a time-lapse tripod that ensures the smooth movement of your camera, an intervalometer, and a camera setup capable of taking pictures or recording videos over an extended period of time.

Most importantly, you must have access to a video editor that enables you to process the footage and control its playback rate. Let’s take a look at the best post-production software products that allow its users to create stunning time-lapses video.

1. Filmora : Best Time-lapse Software for Beginners [Windows & Mac]

Price: Freemium

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Mac and PC users can create time-lapse videos with Filmora effortlessly, even though the actual steps you will need to take throughout the process depend on the type of footage you’re using to create a time-lapse. If you decide to make a time-lapse out of still images, you must ensure that you have enough footage since the video you’re producing must have 24 or 30 frames per second. That’s why you need 30 or 24 photos for each second of your time-lapse video, and you must arrange all of these images on the editor’s timeline before you begin adjusting their duration.

Select all timeline photos placed in the timeline panel, right-click to access the Duration setting, and then set the input duration of each picture to 0.01 seconds.

Click OK to continue, and you’ll find that the duration of all timelapse photos has changed to a brief second. Click the playback button in the Preview window, and you’ll see the time-lapse video is made already.

If you are working with video files, you should double the playback rate to create the time-lapse effect. The results you will get largely depend on the quality of the footage you’ve recorded. You must do everything in your power to capture the photos or videos properly before you start the video editing process.

You can check the details about two ways of making a time-lapse video in Filmora here.

2. iMovie : Best Free Time-lapse Software for Mac

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS and iOS

iMovie may not be the most advanced video editing software for Mac computers, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use iMovie to create time-lapse videos. In fact, all you have to do to make a time-lapse video with this software is to arrange the photos on the editor’s timeline and change their duration to 0.1 seconds from the Clip Information panel.

However, if you do this, your time-lapse video will play only 10 frames per second, so to speed it up , you first have to export the video you’ve created in this manner and then import it back into iMovie.

Afterward, you can select the Custom option from the Speed menu that lets you select the playback speed of a video clip. Making a time-lapse video in iMovie is a slow process that requires a lot of patience, especially if you are working with a large number of photos or video clips.

If you want to edit videos further with iMovie, here is a brief tutorial about How to Use iMovie to Edit Videos .

3. VirtualDub : Free Time-lapse Video Editor for Windows

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows

This open-source video editor is commonly used for batch-processing of AVI video files and sets of BMP image files. Even though VirtualDub doesn’t offer a lot of video editing tools, its batch-processing capabilities make it a perfect choice for all PC users who want to create time-lapse videos.

Nonetheless, the process of making a time-lapse in VirtualDub is highly technical as you’ll need to make sure that all the images you want to use in the video are the same size. Besides, you’ll have to set up the video’s frame rate , aspect ratio , and compression manually, before you can apply it to all files you imported into the video editor. That’s why you first need to familiarize yourself with VirtualDub and then start using it to make time-lapse videos.

4. GoPro Quik : Best Video Editor for Creating Time-Lapse Photos Shot With GoPro

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

GoPro cameras offer a plethora of ways to capture the footage you can later turn into time-lapse videos. Besides a GoPro camera, you will also need additional equipment like rotating camera mounts, extra batteries, or several memory cards to record the time-lapse footage properly.

GoPro’s Quik video editor features all the tools you’re going to need to organize large quantities of video and photo files and create time-lapse videos. The software also enables you to add panning effects to your time-lapses that simulate the camera movement. However, GoPro Quik is a good choice only for filmmakers and video content creators who record most of their footage with different models of GoPro cameras.

5. Final Cut Pro X : Best Professional Video Editing Software for Time-lapse Video on Mac

Price: $299.99

Compatibility: macOS

Controlling the playback speed of the files you import into a project in FCPX is simple, since you just have to place the photos or videos on the timeline and select them. Afterward, you should head over to the Retime submenu that is located in the Modify drop-down menu and select one of the Custom Speed, Blade Speed or Fast options.

You will have to tweak the particular settings depending on the option you select, but your main goal should be to speed up the footage just enough to suggest the rapid passage of time. Try out different values to find the playback speed that is best suited for the time-lapse video you’re working on.

Learn more details about Making a Time Lapse Video in Final Cut Pro .

6. Adobe Premiere Pro : Best Professional Video Editing Software for Time-lapse Video on Windows

Price: $20.99 per month as a single app

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

The way you capture your photos and organize them is crucial in creating a time-lapse video in Adobe Premiere Pro. You must arrange all the photos numerically, and once you’re ready to import them into the software, you must make sure that the Image Sequence checkbox is selected. Adobe Premiere Pro will automatically generate a video from the photos so you can add a video file to the timeline instead of hundreds of still images. This professional video editing software provides with a broad range of video editing tools you can use to simulate camera movement, perform color correction or control the video’s playback speed. The process of creating a time-lapse video with Adobe Premiere Pro isn’t complicated, but you must be prepared for each step of this process if you want to go through it smoothly.

7. LRTimelapse

Price: Free trial available, subscription plans start at $99.00

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

The time-lapse photos you take with your camera must be edited before you can turn them into a video. LRTimelapse software is designed to reduce the amount of time you have to spend editing the footage. It allows you to process each image in Adobe Lightroom and then import those edits into the project you created in LRTimelapse. Furthermore, this app for PC and Mac computers lets you fade in and fade out time lapses, adjust the white balance throughout the sequence you’re creating, or get rid of the unwanted flickering effect. LRTimelapse allows you to export videos in resolutions up to 8K, making it a perfect choice for all filmmakers and photographers in need of powerful time-lapse post-production software.

Conclusion

Preparation is the most important segment of the time-lapse video production process. The photos or video clips you want to include in the video must be captured perfectly to depict the passage of time seamlessly. Moreover, the video editing software you choose must provide you with all the tools you’re going to need to create a professionally-looking time-lapse video. Each of the time-lapse post-production software products we featured in this article enables you to create a time-lapse video with ease. Which video editing software are you using to create time-lapse videos? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

All types of vistas change as time passes. Consequently, an outdoor scene looks differently throughout different parts of the day, which makes it impossible to capture the full extent of its beauty by snapping a single photo or recording a short video of it.

That is why you must utilize the time-lapse technique to depict the passage of time at a particular shooting location and create a sequence in your video that suggests that a certain amount of time has passed by. So in this article, we will take you through some of the best time-lapse video editing software you can find on the market in 2024.

Best Time-Lapse Video Post-Production Software in 2024

There are two different recording methods you can use to create time-lapse videos. You can either record videos or take photos at a precisely set interval, but regardless of the approach you choose, you must have the right equipment for the job.

This means that you must have a time-lapse tripod that ensures the smooth movement of your camera, an intervalometer, and a camera setup capable of taking pictures or recording videos over an extended period of time.

Most importantly, you must have access to a video editor that enables you to process the footage and control its playback rate. Let’s take a look at the best post-production software products that allow its users to create stunning time-lapses video.

1. Filmora : Best Time-lapse Software for Beginners [Windows & Mac]

Price: Freemium

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Mac and PC users can create time-lapse videos with Filmora effortlessly, even though the actual steps you will need to take throughout the process depend on the type of footage you’re using to create a time-lapse. If you decide to make a time-lapse out of still images, you must ensure that you have enough footage since the video you’re producing must have 24 or 30 frames per second. That’s why you need 30 or 24 photos for each second of your time-lapse video, and you must arrange all of these images on the editor’s timeline before you begin adjusting their duration.

Select all timeline photos placed in the timeline panel, right-click to access the Duration setting, and then set the input duration of each picture to 0.01 seconds.

Click OK to continue, and you’ll find that the duration of all timelapse photos has changed to a brief second. Click the playback button in the Preview window, and you’ll see the time-lapse video is made already.

If you are working with video files, you should double the playback rate to create the time-lapse effect. The results you will get largely depend on the quality of the footage you’ve recorded. You must do everything in your power to capture the photos or videos properly before you start the video editing process.

You can check the details about two ways of making a time-lapse video in Filmora here.

2. iMovie : Best Free Time-lapse Software for Mac

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS and iOS

iMovie may not be the most advanced video editing software for Mac computers, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use iMovie to create time-lapse videos. In fact, all you have to do to make a time-lapse video with this software is to arrange the photos on the editor’s timeline and change their duration to 0.1 seconds from the Clip Information panel.

However, if you do this, your time-lapse video will play only 10 frames per second, so to speed it up , you first have to export the video you’ve created in this manner and then import it back into iMovie.

Afterward, you can select the Custom option from the Speed menu that lets you select the playback speed of a video clip. Making a time-lapse video in iMovie is a slow process that requires a lot of patience, especially if you are working with a large number of photos or video clips.

If you want to edit videos further with iMovie, here is a brief tutorial about How to Use iMovie to Edit Videos .

3. VirtualDub : Free Time-lapse Video Editor for Windows

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows

This open-source video editor is commonly used for batch-processing of AVI video files and sets of BMP image files. Even though VirtualDub doesn’t offer a lot of video editing tools, its batch-processing capabilities make it a perfect choice for all PC users who want to create time-lapse videos.

Nonetheless, the process of making a time-lapse in VirtualDub is highly technical as you’ll need to make sure that all the images you want to use in the video are the same size. Besides, you’ll have to set up the video’s frame rate , aspect ratio , and compression manually, before you can apply it to all files you imported into the video editor. That’s why you first need to familiarize yourself with VirtualDub and then start using it to make time-lapse videos.

4. GoPro Quik : Best Video Editor for Creating Time-Lapse Photos Shot With GoPro

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

GoPro cameras offer a plethora of ways to capture the footage you can later turn into time-lapse videos. Besides a GoPro camera, you will also need additional equipment like rotating camera mounts, extra batteries, or several memory cards to record the time-lapse footage properly.

GoPro’s Quik video editor features all the tools you’re going to need to organize large quantities of video and photo files and create time-lapse videos. The software also enables you to add panning effects to your time-lapses that simulate the camera movement. However, GoPro Quik is a good choice only for filmmakers and video content creators who record most of their footage with different models of GoPro cameras.

5. Final Cut Pro X : Best Professional Video Editing Software for Time-lapse Video on Mac

Price: $299.99

Compatibility: macOS

Controlling the playback speed of the files you import into a project in FCPX is simple, since you just have to place the photos or videos on the timeline and select them. Afterward, you should head over to the Retime submenu that is located in the Modify drop-down menu and select one of the Custom Speed, Blade Speed or Fast options.

You will have to tweak the particular settings depending on the option you select, but your main goal should be to speed up the footage just enough to suggest the rapid passage of time. Try out different values to find the playback speed that is best suited for the time-lapse video you’re working on.

Learn more details about Making a Time Lapse Video in Final Cut Pro .

6. Adobe Premiere Pro : Best Professional Video Editing Software for Time-lapse Video on Windows

Price: $20.99 per month as a single app

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

The way you capture your photos and organize them is crucial in creating a time-lapse video in Adobe Premiere Pro. You must arrange all the photos numerically, and once you’re ready to import them into the software, you must make sure that the Image Sequence checkbox is selected. Adobe Premiere Pro will automatically generate a video from the photos so you can add a video file to the timeline instead of hundreds of still images. This professional video editing software provides with a broad range of video editing tools you can use to simulate camera movement, perform color correction or control the video’s playback speed. The process of creating a time-lapse video with Adobe Premiere Pro isn’t complicated, but you must be prepared for each step of this process if you want to go through it smoothly.

7. LRTimelapse

Price: Free trial available, subscription plans start at $99.00

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

The time-lapse photos you take with your camera must be edited before you can turn them into a video. LRTimelapse software is designed to reduce the amount of time you have to spend editing the footage. It allows you to process each image in Adobe Lightroom and then import those edits into the project you created in LRTimelapse. Furthermore, this app for PC and Mac computers lets you fade in and fade out time lapses, adjust the white balance throughout the sequence you’re creating, or get rid of the unwanted flickering effect. LRTimelapse allows you to export videos in resolutions up to 8K, making it a perfect choice for all filmmakers and photographers in need of powerful time-lapse post-production software.

Conclusion

Preparation is the most important segment of the time-lapse video production process. The photos or video clips you want to include in the video must be captured perfectly to depict the passage of time seamlessly. Moreover, the video editing software you choose must provide you with all the tools you’re going to need to create a professionally-looking time-lapse video. Each of the time-lapse post-production software products we featured in this article enables you to create a time-lapse video with ease. Which video editing software are you using to create time-lapse videos? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

All types of vistas change as time passes. Consequently, an outdoor scene looks differently throughout different parts of the day, which makes it impossible to capture the full extent of its beauty by snapping a single photo or recording a short video of it.

That is why you must utilize the time-lapse technique to depict the passage of time at a particular shooting location and create a sequence in your video that suggests that a certain amount of time has passed by. So in this article, we will take you through some of the best time-lapse video editing software you can find on the market in 2024.

Best Time-Lapse Video Post-Production Software in 2024

There are two different recording methods you can use to create time-lapse videos. You can either record videos or take photos at a precisely set interval, but regardless of the approach you choose, you must have the right equipment for the job.

This means that you must have a time-lapse tripod that ensures the smooth movement of your camera, an intervalometer, and a camera setup capable of taking pictures or recording videos over an extended period of time.

Most importantly, you must have access to a video editor that enables you to process the footage and control its playback rate. Let’s take a look at the best post-production software products that allow its users to create stunning time-lapses video.

1. Filmora : Best Time-lapse Software for Beginners [Windows & Mac]

Price: Freemium

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Mac and PC users can create time-lapse videos with Filmora effortlessly, even though the actual steps you will need to take throughout the process depend on the type of footage you’re using to create a time-lapse. If you decide to make a time-lapse out of still images, you must ensure that you have enough footage since the video you’re producing must have 24 or 30 frames per second. That’s why you need 30 or 24 photos for each second of your time-lapse video, and you must arrange all of these images on the editor’s timeline before you begin adjusting their duration.

Select all timeline photos placed in the timeline panel, right-click to access the Duration setting, and then set the input duration of each picture to 0.01 seconds.

Click OK to continue, and you’ll find that the duration of all timelapse photos has changed to a brief second. Click the playback button in the Preview window, and you’ll see the time-lapse video is made already.

If you are working with video files, you should double the playback rate to create the time-lapse effect. The results you will get largely depend on the quality of the footage you’ve recorded. You must do everything in your power to capture the photos or videos properly before you start the video editing process.

You can check the details about two ways of making a time-lapse video in Filmora here.

2. iMovie : Best Free Time-lapse Software for Mac

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS and iOS

iMovie may not be the most advanced video editing software for Mac computers, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use iMovie to create time-lapse videos. In fact, all you have to do to make a time-lapse video with this software is to arrange the photos on the editor’s timeline and change their duration to 0.1 seconds from the Clip Information panel.

However, if you do this, your time-lapse video will play only 10 frames per second, so to speed it up , you first have to export the video you’ve created in this manner and then import it back into iMovie.

Afterward, you can select the Custom option from the Speed menu that lets you select the playback speed of a video clip. Making a time-lapse video in iMovie is a slow process that requires a lot of patience, especially if you are working with a large number of photos or video clips.

If you want to edit videos further with iMovie, here is a brief tutorial about How to Use iMovie to Edit Videos .

3. VirtualDub : Free Time-lapse Video Editor for Windows

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows

This open-source video editor is commonly used for batch-processing of AVI video files and sets of BMP image files. Even though VirtualDub doesn’t offer a lot of video editing tools, its batch-processing capabilities make it a perfect choice for all PC users who want to create time-lapse videos.

Nonetheless, the process of making a time-lapse in VirtualDub is highly technical as you’ll need to make sure that all the images you want to use in the video are the same size. Besides, you’ll have to set up the video’s frame rate , aspect ratio , and compression manually, before you can apply it to all files you imported into the video editor. That’s why you first need to familiarize yourself with VirtualDub and then start using it to make time-lapse videos.

4. GoPro Quik : Best Video Editor for Creating Time-Lapse Photos Shot With GoPro

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

GoPro cameras offer a plethora of ways to capture the footage you can later turn into time-lapse videos. Besides a GoPro camera, you will also need additional equipment like rotating camera mounts, extra batteries, or several memory cards to record the time-lapse footage properly.

GoPro’s Quik video editor features all the tools you’re going to need to organize large quantities of video and photo files and create time-lapse videos. The software also enables you to add panning effects to your time-lapses that simulate the camera movement. However, GoPro Quik is a good choice only for filmmakers and video content creators who record most of their footage with different models of GoPro cameras.

5. Final Cut Pro X : Best Professional Video Editing Software for Time-lapse Video on Mac

Price: $299.99

Compatibility: macOS

Controlling the playback speed of the files you import into a project in FCPX is simple, since you just have to place the photos or videos on the timeline and select them. Afterward, you should head over to the Retime submenu that is located in the Modify drop-down menu and select one of the Custom Speed, Blade Speed or Fast options.

You will have to tweak the particular settings depending on the option you select, but your main goal should be to speed up the footage just enough to suggest the rapid passage of time. Try out different values to find the playback speed that is best suited for the time-lapse video you’re working on.

Learn more details about Making a Time Lapse Video in Final Cut Pro .

6. Adobe Premiere Pro : Best Professional Video Editing Software for Time-lapse Video on Windows

Price: $20.99 per month as a single app

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

The way you capture your photos and organize them is crucial in creating a time-lapse video in Adobe Premiere Pro. You must arrange all the photos numerically, and once you’re ready to import them into the software, you must make sure that the Image Sequence checkbox is selected. Adobe Premiere Pro will automatically generate a video from the photos so you can add a video file to the timeline instead of hundreds of still images. This professional video editing software provides with a broad range of video editing tools you can use to simulate camera movement, perform color correction or control the video’s playback speed. The process of creating a time-lapse video with Adobe Premiere Pro isn’t complicated, but you must be prepared for each step of this process if you want to go through it smoothly.

7. LRTimelapse

Price: Free trial available, subscription plans start at $99.00

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

The time-lapse photos you take with your camera must be edited before you can turn them into a video. LRTimelapse software is designed to reduce the amount of time you have to spend editing the footage. It allows you to process each image in Adobe Lightroom and then import those edits into the project you created in LRTimelapse. Furthermore, this app for PC and Mac computers lets you fade in and fade out time lapses, adjust the white balance throughout the sequence you’re creating, or get rid of the unwanted flickering effect. LRTimelapse allows you to export videos in resolutions up to 8K, making it a perfect choice for all filmmakers and photographers in need of powerful time-lapse post-production software.

Conclusion

Preparation is the most important segment of the time-lapse video production process. The photos or video clips you want to include in the video must be captured perfectly to depict the passage of time seamlessly. Moreover, the video editing software you choose must provide you with all the tools you’re going to need to create a professionally-looking time-lapse video. Each of the time-lapse post-production software products we featured in this article enables you to create a time-lapse video with ease. Which video editing software are you using to create time-lapse videos? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

All types of vistas change as time passes. Consequently, an outdoor scene looks differently throughout different parts of the day, which makes it impossible to capture the full extent of its beauty by snapping a single photo or recording a short video of it.

That is why you must utilize the time-lapse technique to depict the passage of time at a particular shooting location and create a sequence in your video that suggests that a certain amount of time has passed by. So in this article, we will take you through some of the best time-lapse video editing software you can find on the market in 2024.

Best Time-Lapse Video Post-Production Software in 2024

There are two different recording methods you can use to create time-lapse videos. You can either record videos or take photos at a precisely set interval, but regardless of the approach you choose, you must have the right equipment for the job.

This means that you must have a time-lapse tripod that ensures the smooth movement of your camera, an intervalometer, and a camera setup capable of taking pictures or recording videos over an extended period of time.

Most importantly, you must have access to a video editor that enables you to process the footage and control its playback rate. Let’s take a look at the best post-production software products that allow its users to create stunning time-lapses video.

1. Filmora : Best Time-lapse Software for Beginners [Windows & Mac]

Price: Freemium

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

Mac and PC users can create time-lapse videos with Filmora effortlessly, even though the actual steps you will need to take throughout the process depend on the type of footage you’re using to create a time-lapse. If you decide to make a time-lapse out of still images, you must ensure that you have enough footage since the video you’re producing must have 24 or 30 frames per second. That’s why you need 30 or 24 photos for each second of your time-lapse video, and you must arrange all of these images on the editor’s timeline before you begin adjusting their duration.

Select all timeline photos placed in the timeline panel, right-click to access the Duration setting, and then set the input duration of each picture to 0.01 seconds.

Click OK to continue, and you’ll find that the duration of all timelapse photos has changed to a brief second. Click the playback button in the Preview window, and you’ll see the time-lapse video is made already.

If you are working with video files, you should double the playback rate to create the time-lapse effect. The results you will get largely depend on the quality of the footage you’ve recorded. You must do everything in your power to capture the photos or videos properly before you start the video editing process.

You can check the details about two ways of making a time-lapse video in Filmora here.

2. iMovie : Best Free Time-lapse Software for Mac

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS and iOS

iMovie may not be the most advanced video editing software for Mac computers, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use iMovie to create time-lapse videos. In fact, all you have to do to make a time-lapse video with this software is to arrange the photos on the editor’s timeline and change their duration to 0.1 seconds from the Clip Information panel.

However, if you do this, your time-lapse video will play only 10 frames per second, so to speed it up , you first have to export the video you’ve created in this manner and then import it back into iMovie.

Afterward, you can select the Custom option from the Speed menu that lets you select the playback speed of a video clip. Making a time-lapse video in iMovie is a slow process that requires a lot of patience, especially if you are working with a large number of photos or video clips.

If you want to edit videos further with iMovie, here is a brief tutorial about How to Use iMovie to Edit Videos .

3. VirtualDub : Free Time-lapse Video Editor for Windows

Price: Free

Compatibility: Windows

This open-source video editor is commonly used for batch-processing of AVI video files and sets of BMP image files. Even though VirtualDub doesn’t offer a lot of video editing tools, its batch-processing capabilities make it a perfect choice for all PC users who want to create time-lapse videos.

Nonetheless, the process of making a time-lapse in VirtualDub is highly technical as you’ll need to make sure that all the images you want to use in the video are the same size. Besides, you’ll have to set up the video’s frame rate , aspect ratio , and compression manually, before you can apply it to all files you imported into the video editor. That’s why you first need to familiarize yourself with VirtualDub and then start using it to make time-lapse videos.

4. GoPro Quik : Best Video Editor for Creating Time-Lapse Photos Shot With GoPro

Price: Free

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

GoPro cameras offer a plethora of ways to capture the footage you can later turn into time-lapse videos. Besides a GoPro camera, you will also need additional equipment like rotating camera mounts, extra batteries, or several memory cards to record the time-lapse footage properly.

GoPro’s Quik video editor features all the tools you’re going to need to organize large quantities of video and photo files and create time-lapse videos. The software also enables you to add panning effects to your time-lapses that simulate the camera movement. However, GoPro Quik is a good choice only for filmmakers and video content creators who record most of their footage with different models of GoPro cameras.

5. Final Cut Pro X : Best Professional Video Editing Software for Time-lapse Video on Mac

Price: $299.99

Compatibility: macOS

Controlling the playback speed of the files you import into a project in FCPX is simple, since you just have to place the photos or videos on the timeline and select them. Afterward, you should head over to the Retime submenu that is located in the Modify drop-down menu and select one of the Custom Speed, Blade Speed or Fast options.

You will have to tweak the particular settings depending on the option you select, but your main goal should be to speed up the footage just enough to suggest the rapid passage of time. Try out different values to find the playback speed that is best suited for the time-lapse video you’re working on.

Learn more details about Making a Time Lapse Video in Final Cut Pro .

6. Adobe Premiere Pro : Best Professional Video Editing Software for Time-lapse Video on Windows

Price: $20.99 per month as a single app

Compatibility: Windows, macOS

The way you capture your photos and organize them is crucial in creating a time-lapse video in Adobe Premiere Pro. You must arrange all the photos numerically, and once you’re ready to import them into the software, you must make sure that the Image Sequence checkbox is selected. Adobe Premiere Pro will automatically generate a video from the photos so you can add a video file to the timeline instead of hundreds of still images. This professional video editing software provides with a broad range of video editing tools you can use to simulate camera movement, perform color correction or control the video’s playback speed. The process of creating a time-lapse video with Adobe Premiere Pro isn’t complicated, but you must be prepared for each step of this process if you want to go through it smoothly.

7. LRTimelapse

Price: Free trial available, subscription plans start at $99.00

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

The time-lapse photos you take with your camera must be edited before you can turn them into a video. LRTimelapse software is designed to reduce the amount of time you have to spend editing the footage. It allows you to process each image in Adobe Lightroom and then import those edits into the project you created in LRTimelapse. Furthermore, this app for PC and Mac computers lets you fade in and fade out time lapses, adjust the white balance throughout the sequence you’re creating, or get rid of the unwanted flickering effect. LRTimelapse allows you to export videos in resolutions up to 8K, making it a perfect choice for all filmmakers and photographers in need of powerful time-lapse post-production software.

Conclusion

Preparation is the most important segment of the time-lapse video production process. The photos or video clips you want to include in the video must be captured perfectly to depict the passage of time seamlessly. Moreover, the video editing software you choose must provide you with all the tools you’re going to need to create a professionally-looking time-lapse video. Each of the time-lapse post-production software products we featured in this article enables you to create a time-lapse video with ease. Which video editing software are you using to create time-lapse videos? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Beyond FCPX: 10 Top Video Editing Software Solutions for Every Budget

Top Best Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows & Mac & Linux [Free & Paid]

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Back in 1999, Apple launched Final Cut Pro, and the software didn’t take so long to become the first choice for video editors and post-production agencies.

The main feature it has that makes it stands out from any other video-editing software out there is that it is made exclusively to operate on Mac only, and that allowed Apple to make it fully enhanced for speed and efficiency enabling it toedit 4K UHD footage with no rendering issues.

This video editing software will cost you $300 to buy, and as mentioned above it will require you to have a Mac OS, so if you don’t have both or if you are abeginner in video editing we are suggesting a few alternatives for you that you might choose one from to start your video editing journey.

Best Free & Paid Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows/ Mac/ Linux

1. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora made professional video editing easy with its easy professional tools. Besides basic video editing tools, you can now group timeline clips, range markers, or add audio and video to unlimited video tracks. You can perfect your audio with the automatic audio sync, audio compressor, or audio noise reduction, and perform detailed color correction with plentiful presets auto-correction, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It is easy to use and has low system requirements. Download it now to have a try!

2. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free open-source and cross-platform (Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) video editor designed for quick video joining, trimming, and filtering tasks. It supports different video formats such as MP44, MPG, AVI, OGM, MKV, FLV, and more. Here is also a getting-started tutorial for Avidemux you can refer to.

Pros as an alternative to FCPX for Windows:

• Open-source video editing software and free
• A simple interface and easy to use

Cons:

May have problems dealing with some types of formats.

3. VirtualDub

VirtualDub is a strong video editing tool on Windows with many useful features that can help you make different kinds of changes to the video but keeping the video’s quality the same as before. It also has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files and can be extended with third-party video filters.

Pros:

• Has video capturing option;
• Can be extended with third-party video filters;
• Has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files.

Cons:

Outdated UI design.

4. Video Toolbox

Video Toolbox is afree online video editing tool that has a rich set of video functions. But like many online apps, it imposes a size restriction of 300 MB for your video files. To use it, you have to register first and upload the target files either from the hard disk or online video sites. Then fish the merging task use the command from a drop-down.

Pros:

• Supports many video formats;
• Different video editing options.

Cons:

Has the size limitation of video (600 MB).

5. Format Factory

Format Factory is a full-featured video and audio converter. It can convert video, audio, picture, and rip CDs, DVDs to other file formats, as well as create ISO image files. On top of that, it provides a subset of tools that handle file splitting and merging. You can also change the format and size of the output file.

Pros:

• Supports many video formats;
• Basic video editing options.

Cons:

Can’t convert audio files.

6. Movica

This software is, in essence, a user interface for other open-source tools that are somewhat user-unfriendly, enabling an understandable user interface for the best free tools out there. As a software package though, there is nothing wrong with this approach, and the tools available for joining and merging are first-rate, and the software works very fast, whilst offering a wide range of compatible video formats.

The interface is a little clunky, but it does the job and the software has additional tools for other editing work such as cutting and trimming as well, the added functionality in combination with a more basic interface can make some operations a touch confusing though.

Ultimately a little more complicated to use, but very good.

7. Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 is a professional video editor in the Cyberlink family. It is a great Final Cut Pro alternative on Windows . Users can use multiple cameras to make various green-screen effects and make split-screen effects. What’s more, you can control frame-by-frame with its motion tracking. It also supports using plug-ins ranging from animated titles to travel packs. The official recommendation of the operating system is Windows 10/8/7. It works best on 64 bit.

Pros:

• 10 UI languages are supported including French, Dutch, and Korean.
• It supports cloud storage for co-working.

Cons:

It only offers a limited learning course.

8. VEGAS PRO 17

Vegas Pro is a long-standing professional video editing software on Windows. Now, it just released Pro 17 to give it more features, so it is also an excellent Final Cut Pro alternative. At this time, VEGAS PRO 17 features a high-speed video editing experience with GPU acceleration and intuitive design. Those features were not specifically mentioned before. With the new color grading features, VEGAS PRO 17 can compete with Final Cut Pro.

Very fast video editing with the newly released version.

9. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro needs to be mentioned whether you like this software or not. We can’t deny it is a great video editor on Windows. In fact, it has the largest number of users on Windows. With Premiere Rush, Adobe Premiere Pro has had a big update recently. It is the leading product for editing 8K videos. You can also use Rush to edit video on your phone and import it to your PC to have further advanced editing if needed.

After checking so many video editing software, I’ve summarized the main features of each video editor listed above. Hope that will help you pick up the best Final Cut Pro for Windows alternatives.

Supported OS	Supported Format	Video Effects	Share to YouTube	Easy to Use
Filmora	Win/Mac	MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4…	Y	Y	Y
Avidemux	Win/Mac/Linux/PC-BSD	AVI,DVD,MP4,ASF…	N	N	Y
VirtualDub	Win	MPEG-1,AVI…	N	N	Y
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365	Win	AVI,WMV,MOV…	Y	N	N
Video Toolbox	Win	3GP,AMV,ASF,AVI…	N	N	Y
Format Factory	Win	wmv,asf…	N	N	Y
Movica	Win	wmv,MPEG…	N	N	Y
VEGAS PRO 17	Win	WMV,FLV…	Y	N	Y
Adobe Premiere Pro	Win/Mac	AVI,3GP,SWF…	Y	N	N

Final Thoughts

After listing the above alternatives to Final Cut Pro X, and factors to help you make your decision, you can come up with the best common features and benefits you need the most for your video editing projects.

If you are a beginner and looking to use free video editing software, we highly recommend using ShotCut. This tool is very easy to use, and at the same time has been used widely by professionals, you can definitely start with this software.

If you already have experience in video editing and looking for free or low-budget software to finish your projects, then you can get Lightworks or the Pro version. This software is amazing and was used widely in the professional video editing market that is considered one of the most important alternatives to Final Cut Pro X.

Maybe you are a beginner and don’t mind paying a reasonable price to buy video editing software, in this case, Filmora just fits your needs. It won’t cost you much as a beginner and its friendly user interface will let you edit your videos smoothly with no complicated features like those found in other video editing software. Click the links below to have a try!

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Back in 1999, Apple launched Final Cut Pro, and the software didn’t take so long to become the first choice for video editors and post-production agencies.

The main feature it has that makes it stands out from any other video-editing software out there is that it is made exclusively to operate on Mac only, and that allowed Apple to make it fully enhanced for speed and efficiency enabling it toedit 4K UHD footage with no rendering issues.

This video editing software will cost you $300 to buy, and as mentioned above it will require you to have a Mac OS, so if you don’t have both or if you are abeginner in video editing we are suggesting a few alternatives for you that you might choose one from to start your video editing journey.

Best Free & Paid Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows/ Mac/ Linux

1. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora made professional video editing easy with its easy professional tools. Besides basic video editing tools, you can now group timeline clips, range markers, or add audio and video to unlimited video tracks. You can perfect your audio with the automatic audio sync, audio compressor, or audio noise reduction, and perform detailed color correction with plentiful presets auto-correction, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It is easy to use and has low system requirements. Download it now to have a try!

2. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free open-source and cross-platform (Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) video editor designed for quick video joining, trimming, and filtering tasks. It supports different video formats such as MP44, MPG, AVI, OGM, MKV, FLV, and more. Here is also a getting-started tutorial for Avidemux you can refer to.

Pros as an alternative to FCPX for Windows:

• Open-source video editing software and free
• A simple interface and easy to use

Cons:

May have problems dealing with some types of formats.

3. VirtualDub

VirtualDub is a strong video editing tool on Windows with many useful features that can help you make different kinds of changes to the video but keeping the video’s quality the same as before. It also has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files and can be extended with third-party video filters.

Pros:

• Has video capturing option;
• Can be extended with third-party video filters;
• Has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files.

Cons:

Outdated UI design.

4. Video Toolbox

Video Toolbox is afree online video editing tool that has a rich set of video functions. But like many online apps, it imposes a size restriction of 300 MB for your video files. To use it, you have to register first and upload the target files either from the hard disk or online video sites. Then fish the merging task use the command from a drop-down.

Pros:

• Supports many video formats;
• Different video editing options.

Cons:

Has the size limitation of video (600 MB).

5. Format Factory

Format Factory is a full-featured video and audio converter. It can convert video, audio, picture, and rip CDs, DVDs to other file formats, as well as create ISO image files. On top of that, it provides a subset of tools that handle file splitting and merging. You can also change the format and size of the output file.

Pros:

• Supports many video formats;
• Basic video editing options.

Cons:

Can’t convert audio files.

6. Movica

This software is, in essence, a user interface for other open-source tools that are somewhat user-unfriendly, enabling an understandable user interface for the best free tools out there. As a software package though, there is nothing wrong with this approach, and the tools available for joining and merging are first-rate, and the software works very fast, whilst offering a wide range of compatible video formats.

The interface is a little clunky, but it does the job and the software has additional tools for other editing work such as cutting and trimming as well, the added functionality in combination with a more basic interface can make some operations a touch confusing though.

Ultimately a little more complicated to use, but very good.

7. Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 is a professional video editor in the Cyberlink family. It is a great Final Cut Pro alternative on Windows . Users can use multiple cameras to make various green-screen effects and make split-screen effects. What’s more, you can control frame-by-frame with its motion tracking. It also supports using plug-ins ranging from animated titles to travel packs. The official recommendation of the operating system is Windows 10/8/7. It works best on 64 bit.

Pros:

• 10 UI languages are supported including French, Dutch, and Korean.
• It supports cloud storage for co-working.

Cons:

It only offers a limited learning course.

8. VEGAS PRO 17

Vegas Pro is a long-standing professional video editing software on Windows. Now, it just released Pro 17 to give it more features, so it is also an excellent Final Cut Pro alternative. At this time, VEGAS PRO 17 features a high-speed video editing experience with GPU acceleration and intuitive design. Those features were not specifically mentioned before. With the new color grading features, VEGAS PRO 17 can compete with Final Cut Pro.

Very fast video editing with the newly released version.

9. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro needs to be mentioned whether you like this software or not. We can’t deny it is a great video editor on Windows. In fact, it has the largest number of users on Windows. With Premiere Rush, Adobe Premiere Pro has had a big update recently. It is the leading product for editing 8K videos. You can also use Rush to edit video on your phone and import it to your PC to have further advanced editing if needed.

After checking so many video editing software, I’ve summarized the main features of each video editor listed above. Hope that will help you pick up the best Final Cut Pro for Windows alternatives.

Supported OS	Supported Format	Video Effects	Share to YouTube	Easy to Use
Filmora	Win/Mac	MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4…	Y	Y	Y
Avidemux	Win/Mac/Linux/PC-BSD	AVI,DVD,MP4,ASF…	N	N	Y
VirtualDub	Win	MPEG-1,AVI…	N	N	Y
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365	Win	AVI,WMV,MOV…	Y	N	N
Video Toolbox	Win	3GP,AMV,ASF,AVI…	N	N	Y
Format Factory	Win	wmv,asf…	N	N	Y
Movica	Win	wmv,MPEG…	N	N	Y
VEGAS PRO 17	Win	WMV,FLV…	Y	N	Y
Adobe Premiere Pro	Win/Mac	AVI,3GP,SWF…	Y	N	N

Final Thoughts

After listing the above alternatives to Final Cut Pro X, and factors to help you make your decision, you can come up with the best common features and benefits you need the most for your video editing projects.

If you are a beginner and looking to use free video editing software, we highly recommend using ShotCut. This tool is very easy to use, and at the same time has been used widely by professionals, you can definitely start with this software.

If you already have experience in video editing and looking for free or low-budget software to finish your projects, then you can get Lightworks or the Pro version. This software is amazing and was used widely in the professional video editing market that is considered one of the most important alternatives to Final Cut Pro X.

Maybe you are a beginner and don’t mind paying a reasonable price to buy video editing software, in this case, Filmora just fits your needs. It won’t cost you much as a beginner and its friendly user interface will let you edit your videos smoothly with no complicated features like those found in other video editing software. Click the links below to have a try!

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Back in 1999, Apple launched Final Cut Pro, and the software didn’t take so long to become the first choice for video editors and post-production agencies.

The main feature it has that makes it stands out from any other video-editing software out there is that it is made exclusively to operate on Mac only, and that allowed Apple to make it fully enhanced for speed and efficiency enabling it toedit 4K UHD footage with no rendering issues.

This video editing software will cost you $300 to buy, and as mentioned above it will require you to have a Mac OS, so if you don’t have both or if you are abeginner in video editing we are suggesting a few alternatives for you that you might choose one from to start your video editing journey.

Best Free & Paid Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows/ Mac/ Linux

1. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora made professional video editing easy with its easy professional tools. Besides basic video editing tools, you can now group timeline clips, range markers, or add audio and video to unlimited video tracks. You can perfect your audio with the automatic audio sync, audio compressor, or audio noise reduction, and perform detailed color correction with plentiful presets auto-correction, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It is easy to use and has low system requirements. Download it now to have a try!

2. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free open-source and cross-platform (Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) video editor designed for quick video joining, trimming, and filtering tasks. It supports different video formats such as MP44, MPG, AVI, OGM, MKV, FLV, and more. Here is also a getting-started tutorial for Avidemux you can refer to.

Pros as an alternative to FCPX for Windows:

• Open-source video editing software and free
• A simple interface and easy to use

Cons:

May have problems dealing with some types of formats.

3. VirtualDub

VirtualDub is a strong video editing tool on Windows with many useful features that can help you make different kinds of changes to the video but keeping the video’s quality the same as before. It also has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files and can be extended with third-party video filters.

Pros:

• Has video capturing option;
• Can be extended with third-party video filters;
• Has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files.

Cons:

Outdated UI design.

4. Video Toolbox

Video Toolbox is afree online video editing tool that has a rich set of video functions. But like many online apps, it imposes a size restriction of 300 MB for your video files. To use it, you have to register first and upload the target files either from the hard disk or online video sites. Then fish the merging task use the command from a drop-down.

Pros:

• Supports many video formats;
• Different video editing options.

Cons:

Has the size limitation of video (600 MB).

5. Format Factory

Format Factory is a full-featured video and audio converter. It can convert video, audio, picture, and rip CDs, DVDs to other file formats, as well as create ISO image files. On top of that, it provides a subset of tools that handle file splitting and merging. You can also change the format and size of the output file.

Pros:

• Supports many video formats;
• Basic video editing options.

Cons:

Can’t convert audio files.

6. Movica

This software is, in essence, a user interface for other open-source tools that are somewhat user-unfriendly, enabling an understandable user interface for the best free tools out there. As a software package though, there is nothing wrong with this approach, and the tools available for joining and merging are first-rate, and the software works very fast, whilst offering a wide range of compatible video formats.

The interface is a little clunky, but it does the job and the software has additional tools for other editing work such as cutting and trimming as well, the added functionality in combination with a more basic interface can make some operations a touch confusing though.

Ultimately a little more complicated to use, but very good.

7. Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 is a professional video editor in the Cyberlink family. It is a great Final Cut Pro alternative on Windows . Users can use multiple cameras to make various green-screen effects and make split-screen effects. What’s more, you can control frame-by-frame with its motion tracking. It also supports using plug-ins ranging from animated titles to travel packs. The official recommendation of the operating system is Windows 10/8/7. It works best on 64 bit.

Pros:

• 10 UI languages are supported including French, Dutch, and Korean.
• It supports cloud storage for co-working.

Cons:

It only offers a limited learning course.

8. VEGAS PRO 17

Vegas Pro is a long-standing professional video editing software on Windows. Now, it just released Pro 17 to give it more features, so it is also an excellent Final Cut Pro alternative. At this time, VEGAS PRO 17 features a high-speed video editing experience with GPU acceleration and intuitive design. Those features were not specifically mentioned before. With the new color grading features, VEGAS PRO 17 can compete with Final Cut Pro.

Very fast video editing with the newly released version.

9. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro needs to be mentioned whether you like this software or not. We can’t deny it is a great video editor on Windows. In fact, it has the largest number of users on Windows. With Premiere Rush, Adobe Premiere Pro has had a big update recently. It is the leading product for editing 8K videos. You can also use Rush to edit video on your phone and import it to your PC to have further advanced editing if needed.

After checking so many video editing software, I’ve summarized the main features of each video editor listed above. Hope that will help you pick up the best Final Cut Pro for Windows alternatives.

Supported OS	Supported Format	Video Effects	Share to YouTube	Easy to Use
Filmora	Win/Mac	MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4…	Y	Y	Y
Avidemux	Win/Mac/Linux/PC-BSD	AVI,DVD,MP4,ASF…	N	N	Y
VirtualDub	Win	MPEG-1,AVI…	N	N	Y
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365	Win	AVI,WMV,MOV…	Y	N	N
Video Toolbox	Win	3GP,AMV,ASF,AVI…	N	N	Y
Format Factory	Win	wmv,asf…	N	N	Y
Movica	Win	wmv,MPEG…	N	N	Y
VEGAS PRO 17	Win	WMV,FLV…	Y	N	Y
Adobe Premiere Pro	Win/Mac	AVI,3GP,SWF…	Y	N	N

Final Thoughts

After listing the above alternatives to Final Cut Pro X, and factors to help you make your decision, you can come up with the best common features and benefits you need the most for your video editing projects.

If you are a beginner and looking to use free video editing software, we highly recommend using ShotCut. This tool is very easy to use, and at the same time has been used widely by professionals, you can definitely start with this software.

If you already have experience in video editing and looking for free or low-budget software to finish your projects, then you can get Lightworks or the Pro version. This software is amazing and was used widely in the professional video editing market that is considered one of the most important alternatives to Final Cut Pro X.

Maybe you are a beginner and don’t mind paying a reasonable price to buy video editing software, in this case, Filmora just fits your needs. It won’t cost you much as a beginner and its friendly user interface will let you edit your videos smoothly with no complicated features like those found in other video editing software. Click the links below to have a try!

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Back in 1999, Apple launched Final Cut Pro, and the software didn’t take so long to become the first choice for video editors and post-production agencies.

The main feature it has that makes it stands out from any other video-editing software out there is that it is made exclusively to operate on Mac only, and that allowed Apple to make it fully enhanced for speed and efficiency enabling it toedit 4K UHD footage with no rendering issues.

This video editing software will cost you $300 to buy, and as mentioned above it will require you to have a Mac OS, so if you don’t have both or if you are abeginner in video editing we are suggesting a few alternatives for you that you might choose one from to start your video editing journey.

Best Free & Paid Final Cut Pro X Alternatives on Windows/ Mac/ Linux

1. Wondershare Filmora

Filmora made professional video editing easy with its easy professional tools. Besides basic video editing tools, you can now group timeline clips, range markers, or add audio and video to unlimited video tracks. You can perfect your audio with the automatic audio sync, audio compressor, or audio noise reduction, and perform detailed color correction with plentiful presets auto-correction, and color wheels. It also supports animation and motion tracking. It is easy to use and has low system requirements. Download it now to have a try!

2. Avidemux

Avidemux is a free open-source and cross-platform (Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) video editor designed for quick video joining, trimming, and filtering tasks. It supports different video formats such as MP44, MPG, AVI, OGM, MKV, FLV, and more. Here is also a getting-started tutorial for Avidemux you can refer to.

Pros as an alternative to FCPX for Windows:

• Open-source video editing software and free
• A simple interface and easy to use

Cons:

May have problems dealing with some types of formats.

3. VirtualDub

VirtualDub is a strong video editing tool on Windows with many useful features that can help you make different kinds of changes to the video but keeping the video’s quality the same as before. It also has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files and can be extended with third-party video filters.

Pros:

• Has video capturing option;
• Can be extended with third-party video filters;
• Has batch-processing capabilities for processing large numbers of files.

Cons:

Outdated UI design.

4. Video Toolbox

Video Toolbox is afree online video editing tool that has a rich set of video functions. But like many online apps, it imposes a size restriction of 300 MB for your video files. To use it, you have to register first and upload the target files either from the hard disk or online video sites. Then fish the merging task use the command from a drop-down.

Pros:

• Supports many video formats;
• Different video editing options.

Cons:

Has the size limitation of video (600 MB).

5. Format Factory

Format Factory is a full-featured video and audio converter. It can convert video, audio, picture, and rip CDs, DVDs to other file formats, as well as create ISO image files. On top of that, it provides a subset of tools that handle file splitting and merging. You can also change the format and size of the output file.

Pros:

• Supports many video formats;
• Basic video editing options.

Cons:

Can’t convert audio files.

6. Movica

This software is, in essence, a user interface for other open-source tools that are somewhat user-unfriendly, enabling an understandable user interface for the best free tools out there. As a software package though, there is nothing wrong with this approach, and the tools available for joining and merging are first-rate, and the software works very fast, whilst offering a wide range of compatible video formats.

The interface is a little clunky, but it does the job and the software has additional tools for other editing work such as cutting and trimming as well, the added functionality in combination with a more basic interface can make some operations a touch confusing though.

Ultimately a little more complicated to use, but very good.

7. Cyberlink PowerDirector 365

PowerDirector 365 is a professional video editor in the Cyberlink family. It is a great Final Cut Pro alternative on Windows . Users can use multiple cameras to make various green-screen effects and make split-screen effects. What’s more, you can control frame-by-frame with its motion tracking. It also supports using plug-ins ranging from animated titles to travel packs. The official recommendation of the operating system is Windows 10/8/7. It works best on 64 bit.

Pros:

• 10 UI languages are supported including French, Dutch, and Korean.
• It supports cloud storage for co-working.

Cons:

It only offers a limited learning course.

8. VEGAS PRO 17

Vegas Pro is a long-standing professional video editing software on Windows. Now, it just released Pro 17 to give it more features, so it is also an excellent Final Cut Pro alternative. At this time, VEGAS PRO 17 features a high-speed video editing experience with GPU acceleration and intuitive design. Those features were not specifically mentioned before. With the new color grading features, VEGAS PRO 17 can compete with Final Cut Pro.

Very fast video editing with the newly released version.

9. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro needs to be mentioned whether you like this software or not. We can’t deny it is a great video editor on Windows. In fact, it has the largest number of users on Windows. With Premiere Rush, Adobe Premiere Pro has had a big update recently. It is the leading product for editing 8K videos. You can also use Rush to edit video on your phone and import it to your PC to have further advanced editing if needed.

After checking so many video editing software, I’ve summarized the main features of each video editor listed above. Hope that will help you pick up the best Final Cut Pro for Windows alternatives.

Supported OS	Supported Format	Video Effects	Share to YouTube	Easy to Use
Filmora	Win/Mac	MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4…	Y	Y	Y
Avidemux	Win/Mac/Linux/PC-BSD	AVI,DVD,MP4,ASF…	N	N	Y
VirtualDub	Win	MPEG-1,AVI…	N	N	Y
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365	Win	AVI,WMV,MOV…	Y	N	N
Video Toolbox	Win	3GP,AMV,ASF,AVI…	N	N	Y
Format Factory	Win	wmv,asf…	N	N	Y
Movica	Win	wmv,MPEG…	N	N	Y
VEGAS PRO 17	Win	WMV,FLV…	Y	N	Y
Adobe Premiere Pro	Win/Mac	AVI,3GP,SWF…	Y	N	N

Final Thoughts

After listing the above alternatives to Final Cut Pro X, and factors to help you make your decision, you can come up with the best common features and benefits you need the most for your video editing projects.

If you are a beginner and looking to use free video editing software, we highly recommend using ShotCut. This tool is very easy to use, and at the same time has been used widely by professionals, you can definitely start with this software.

If you already have experience in video editing and looking for free or low-budget software to finish your projects, then you can get Lightworks or the Pro version. This software is amazing and was used widely in the professional video editing market that is considered one of the most important alternatives to Final Cut Pro X.

Maybe you are a beginner and don’t mind paying a reasonable price to buy video editing software, in this case, Filmora just fits your needs. It won’t cost you much as a beginner and its friendly user interface will let you edit your videos smoothly with no complicated features like those found in other video editing software. Click the links below to have a try!

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown

Best Free DVD Playback Options for Windows 10 Users [Updated 2023]

10 Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

As it is now the second decade of the 21st century, data carriers like DVDs are slowly becoming obsolete. A growing number of laptop and desktop PCs no longer feature optical disc drives, while the discontinuation of the Windows Media Center marked the end of an era in which Windows OS offered a built-in DVD player.

The Windows 10 doesn’t have a native app that enables you to play movies or music from DVD and Blu-ray discs, and you must install a third-party DVDvideo player if you want to view content from these sources. Luckily there is no shortage of media players that are compatible with Windows 10, so in this article, we are going to take you through some of the best free DVD players on the market and help you choose the one that meets all your needs.

Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

Before you opt for one DVD player or the other you must first check which audio and video file formats they support or find out if you can use them to play Blu-ray discs. You should also check a player’s compatibility with the operating system you have installed on your computer and that you have all the codecs necessary to play ISO and other image, audio and video file format. So let’s take a look at ten best free DVD players for Windows 10.

1. VLC Media Player by VideoLan

Over the course of the last two decades, VLC has established itself as one of the most versatile media players ever created. This cross-platform app can be used on Macs, PCs, Linux computers and Smartphones to play different types of audio, image and video files. In fact, VLC is probably the most reliable DVD player you can find, as it allows you to play DVD and Blu-ray discs effortlessly. However, if you want to watch videos in 4K or 8K resolution, you must install the VLC 3.0 Vetinari update of the media player.

What’s more, playing a DVD or a Blu-ray with VLC is a simple task you can complete in just a few clicks. The Open Disc option that is located in the player’s Media menu enables you to choose if you would like to open a DVD, VCD, Audio CD or Blu-ray disc. Moreover, you won’t need to install additional or MPEG-4 codecs, since VLC can play the vast majority of video files regardless of the codec they are using.

Pros

• Available to all PC and Mac users for free
• The most versatile media player on the market
• Offers basic video editing options
• Powerful subtitle syncing tools

Cons

• The playback of 4K or 8K video files can be choppy

2. PotPlayer

If you are looking for a DVD player that is compatible with all versions of Windows that were released since Windows Vista, PotPlayer might be one of your best options. Besides providing support for all commonly used video file formats and allowing you to play DVDs, Blu-rays or audio CDs, PotPlayer also offers support for different types of 3D glasses. This Windows-based media player is equipped with enhanced H/W Acceleration technology that enables the software to assist the CPU and GPU during the playback of demanding video files.

PotPlayer has all the codecs that are required for the playback of various types of multimedia files, so you don’t have to waste time searching for the codec packs that make possible playing video and audio content that is stored on DVDs or Blu-rays. The media player lets you choose a sound card in case you have more just than one and it supports SRT and SMI, VOB and Blu-ray subtitles.

Pros

• Full OpenCodec support
• Provides a unique 3D viewing experience
• Enables users to bookmark chapters
• Compatible with TV, DVD and HDTV devices

Cons

• Audio playback options could be better

3. BlazeDVD

This is a powerful multimedia player that enables you to watch even region coded and CSS-encrypted DVDs. However, the free version of BlazeDVD doesn’t allow you to open region coded DVDs and Blu-rays or add subtitles to your files. So if you want to gain access to all the features this DVD player has to offer, you must make a one-time payment of $49.96 and upgrade to its Pro version. Both versions of BlazeDVD let you play DVDs, VCDs or SVCDs and allow you to choose between different playback modes.

The Surround Sound support enhances the audio playback and provides a theater-like experience to the viewers. Moreover, you can choose between ten audio filters you can apply to media files you open with BlazeDVD or use the Parental Control feature if you want to restrict the access to violent content to your children. Creating slideshows from still images or recording videos in an MPEG2 file format are also among the options you are going to have at your disposal if you opt for the paid version of BlazeDVD.

Pros

• Excellent audio playback capabilities
• Features a learning mode
• Equipped with the Smart Stretch technology
• Multi-core CPU acceleration features enhance the video and audio playback

Cons

• The free version of BlazeDVD offers only limited DVD and Blu-ray playback options

4. 5KPlayer

In case you are looking for a perfect DVD player for your home theater, 5KPlayer is probably one of the best options you can find on the market. PC and Mac users can install this DVD player on their devices for free and even use it to capture screens in 4K resolution. The AirPlay technology enables mirroring, while you can also use 5KPlayer to download videos from more than 300 websites including platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

This media player offers a smooth playback of 4K, Full HD and 360° videos, and it enables you to stream audio and video via its DLNA and AirPlay features. Its DXVA2 hardware acceleration helps render HDR 4K and 8K videos in MTS, MKV or VR 360° formats. What’s more 5KPlayer can detect and play stereo, Dolby or DTS multichannel surround sound in MP3, WMA or FLAC file formats. This cross-platform multimedia player is equipped with a built-in radio player and it supports all common subtitle file formats.

Pros

• Offers support for a broad range of audio and video files
• Excellent screen capturing tools
• Enables users to download video content from Facebook, Dailymotion, YouTube or Vimeo
• Amazing streaming capabilities

Cons

• No Blu-ray support

5. GOM Media Player

Over the years, GOM has emerged as one of the most versatile DVD players for Windows 10 and all other earlier versions of the OS. Its video playback features are nothing short of amazing since GOM enables you to play videos in various resolutions and file formats. However, if you would like to use this media player to open Blu-ray discs you must ensure that you have the necessary codecs. Even so, GOM features a variety of built-in codecs such as Vobris, H263, MP42 or XVID that ensure you can open almost all types of video files.

Besides stunning video playback capabilities that even allow you to view 360° VR videos, GOM also features an extensive subtitle library. The media player searches for subtitles automatically and if it finds a subtitle for a particular video it adds them automatically. Upgrading to the paid version of the GOM media player can be a good idea if you want to get rid of ads or make sure that the playback of 4K UHD video files is smooth.

Pros

• Quick and easy installation process
• A rich subtitle library
• Supports a broad range of audio and video files
• Low system requirements

Cons

• Additional codecs are required for the playback of Blu-ray discs

6. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema)

Even though it has been more than two years since the last and probably the final version of MPC-HC has been released, this media player is still one of the best ways to play DVDs and Blu-rays on Windows 10. The video and audio playback tools MPC-HC has to offer cannot be compared to those provided by VLC or even GOM media player as it only features the basic options you need to play a DVD or a Blu-ray disc. Moreover, the process of playing a DVD with MPC-HC is quite technical as you must adjust the media player’s settings in order to play content from that source.

The codecs you will have to install on your PC depends on the type of content you would like to watch. MPC-HC provides support for or codecs, but it is better to install a full codec pack and ensure that you have all the codecs you need to play audio and video files. Furthermore, playing videos in 4K resolution with MPC-HC is not possible, but you can use it as a DVB player if you want to broadcast videos from your PC to other devices.

Pros

• Ad-free
• Smooth playback of Blu-ray and DVD discs
• Supports all common audio and video file formats
• Different toolbar skins are available

Cons

• Basic audio and video playback options

7. KMPlayer

This modernly and elegantly designed media player lets you watch 3D, 4K or UHD videos regardless of the format in which they are saved. The KMPlayer features all codecs it needs to play different types of audio and video files, so you don’t have to look for codecs you need to open a particular media file. You can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit PC versions of KMPlayer, or opt to use this media player on an Android or iPhone device.

Adding subtitles to a video in KMPlayer is an effortless process that won’t take more than a couple of clicks. Besides the remarkable video playback options, KMPlayer also allows you to listen to music through its music player and enables you to download videos from Instagram, Daily Motion or YouTube. The media player also lets you capture audio and video files and save them in virtually any format you want.

Pros

• Displays high-resolution files accurately and without delay
• Performs well on older PC configurations
• Easy subtitle setup
• Offers basic screen capturing options

Cons

• No stereo sound support

8. PowerDVD 19

PowerDVD is arguably the best DVD player for Windows ever created, and it is no surprise that its latest version offers a wide range of audio and video playback options. PowerDVD 19 is available in Standard, Pro and Ultra versions that are all differently priced and provide different video and audio playback features. The Standard version of PowerDVD 19 can run on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but you can only play 4K videos with this media player if you have Windows 10 installed on your PC.

In addition to playing DVD and Blu-ray discs you can also use PowerDVD 19 to download videos, 360° VR videos, audio or image files and stream videos from PowerDVD to your television set. This iconic media player offers HDR support and it is True Theater technology enhances the colors in videos you play with it. However, if you would like to watch 8K or HDR content with PowerDVD 19 you must purchase its Ultra version.

Pros

• Full codec support
• Excellent screencasting capabilities
• Smooth playback of HDR, 8K and 4K videos
• Powerful audio playback features

Cons

• PowerDVD 19 cannot be used for free

9. Leawo Blue-ray player

If you are looking for a media player that can open both Blu-ray and DVD discs, you should look no further, because Leawo Blu-ray player is equipped with a plethora of features that make every home theater experience more enjoyable. The player lets you open DVD files, DVD folders, as well as DVD ISO and IFO files, however, you cannot use it to play videos in resolutions larger than 1080p.

Leawo Blu-ray player enables you to watch or listen to the content from Blu-ray discs on Windows 10 and all other versions of the OS up to Windows Vista. Adding subtitles or selecting the audio track of a video file is easy and optionally you can search through the DVD player’s subtitle library if the original video doesn’t have built-in subtitles. More advanced video playback options like screencasting or screen capturing are not available, which means that you can only watch the videos that are stored on DVDs or Blu-rays from your computer.

Pros

• Allows users to load multiple files simultaneously
• Compatible with all versions of Windows OS since Windows Vista
• Intuitive media control menu
• Excellent audio decoding options

Cons

• No advanced video and audio playback options

10. Macgo Windows Blu-ray

Even though this media player is primarily designed for macOS, the manufacturer announced that the Windows version of the app is going to become available soon. The Macgo Windows Blu-ray player is expected to offer support for a broad range of Blu-ray file formats and video files, which should enable its users to watch or listen to content without any restrictions. The media player can also display a variety of photo file formats, including CR2 files, and its users can utilize it to browse through their photo collections and ever view RAW files.

The current Mac-based versions of the software offer support for Dolby TrueHD Audio DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS 5.1 codecs that ensure you can hear every sound in a video accurately. Macgo Windows Blu-ray should also be equipped with a range of subtitle options that allow you to customize the color, size or the font of a video’s subtitles.

Pros

• Supports nearly all Blu-ray and video file formats
• Powerful audio playback features
• Displays image files
• Offers online video playback options

Cons

• This Blu-ray and DVD player is still in Beta stage

Conclusion

Even though Windows 10 doesn’t have a native DVD or Blu-ray players, finding a media player that enables you to watch video and audio content from Blu-ray or DVD discs shouldn’t be too difficult. Media players like Pot Player or VLC are powerful enough to provide smooth playback of all audio and video files for free, while DVD players like PowerDVD or KMPlayer are a better option if you are looking for a true home theater experience. Which DVD player for Windows 10 are you going to choose? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

As it is now the second decade of the 21st century, data carriers like DVDs are slowly becoming obsolete. A growing number of laptop and desktop PCs no longer feature optical disc drives, while the discontinuation of the Windows Media Center marked the end of an era in which Windows OS offered a built-in DVD player.

The Windows 10 doesn’t have a native app that enables you to play movies or music from DVD and Blu-ray discs, and you must install a third-party DVDvideo player if you want to view content from these sources. Luckily there is no shortage of media players that are compatible with Windows 10, so in this article, we are going to take you through some of the best free DVD players on the market and help you choose the one that meets all your needs.

Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

Before you opt for one DVD player or the other you must first check which audio and video file formats they support or find out if you can use them to play Blu-ray discs. You should also check a player’s compatibility with the operating system you have installed on your computer and that you have all the codecs necessary to play ISO and other image, audio and video file format. So let’s take a look at ten best free DVD players for Windows 10.

1. VLC Media Player by VideoLan

Over the course of the last two decades, VLC has established itself as one of the most versatile media players ever created. This cross-platform app can be used on Macs, PCs, Linux computers and Smartphones to play different types of audio, image and video files. In fact, VLC is probably the most reliable DVD player you can find, as it allows you to play DVD and Blu-ray discs effortlessly. However, if you want to watch videos in 4K or 8K resolution, you must install the VLC 3.0 Vetinari update of the media player.

What’s more, playing a DVD or a Blu-ray with VLC is a simple task you can complete in just a few clicks. The Open Disc option that is located in the player’s Media menu enables you to choose if you would like to open a DVD, VCD, Audio CD or Blu-ray disc. Moreover, you won’t need to install additional or MPEG-4 codecs, since VLC can play the vast majority of video files regardless of the codec they are using.

Pros

• Available to all PC and Mac users for free
• The most versatile media player on the market
• Offers basic video editing options
• Powerful subtitle syncing tools

Cons

• The playback of 4K or 8K video files can be choppy

2. PotPlayer

If you are looking for a DVD player that is compatible with all versions of Windows that were released since Windows Vista, PotPlayer might be one of your best options. Besides providing support for all commonly used video file formats and allowing you to play DVDs, Blu-rays or audio CDs, PotPlayer also offers support for different types of 3D glasses. This Windows-based media player is equipped with enhanced H/W Acceleration technology that enables the software to assist the CPU and GPU during the playback of demanding video files.

PotPlayer has all the codecs that are required for the playback of various types of multimedia files, so you don’t have to waste time searching for the codec packs that make possible playing video and audio content that is stored on DVDs or Blu-rays. The media player lets you choose a sound card in case you have more just than one and it supports SRT and SMI, VOB and Blu-ray subtitles.

Pros

• Full OpenCodec support
• Provides a unique 3D viewing experience
• Enables users to bookmark chapters
• Compatible with TV, DVD and HDTV devices

Cons

• Audio playback options could be better

3. BlazeDVD

This is a powerful multimedia player that enables you to watch even region coded and CSS-encrypted DVDs. However, the free version of BlazeDVD doesn’t allow you to open region coded DVDs and Blu-rays or add subtitles to your files. So if you want to gain access to all the features this DVD player has to offer, you must make a one-time payment of $49.96 and upgrade to its Pro version. Both versions of BlazeDVD let you play DVDs, VCDs or SVCDs and allow you to choose between different playback modes.

The Surround Sound support enhances the audio playback and provides a theater-like experience to the viewers. Moreover, you can choose between ten audio filters you can apply to media files you open with BlazeDVD or use the Parental Control feature if you want to restrict the access to violent content to your children. Creating slideshows from still images or recording videos in an MPEG2 file format are also among the options you are going to have at your disposal if you opt for the paid version of BlazeDVD.

Pros

• Excellent audio playback capabilities
• Features a learning mode
• Equipped with the Smart Stretch technology
• Multi-core CPU acceleration features enhance the video and audio playback

Cons

• The free version of BlazeDVD offers only limited DVD and Blu-ray playback options

4. 5KPlayer

In case you are looking for a perfect DVD player for your home theater, 5KPlayer is probably one of the best options you can find on the market. PC and Mac users can install this DVD player on their devices for free and even use it to capture screens in 4K resolution. The AirPlay technology enables mirroring, while you can also use 5KPlayer to download videos from more than 300 websites including platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

This media player offers a smooth playback of 4K, Full HD and 360° videos, and it enables you to stream audio and video via its DLNA and AirPlay features. Its DXVA2 hardware acceleration helps render HDR 4K and 8K videos in MTS, MKV or VR 360° formats. What’s more 5KPlayer can detect and play stereo, Dolby or DTS multichannel surround sound in MP3, WMA or FLAC file formats. This cross-platform multimedia player is equipped with a built-in radio player and it supports all common subtitle file formats.

Pros

• Offers support for a broad range of audio and video files
• Excellent screen capturing tools
• Enables users to download video content from Facebook, Dailymotion, YouTube or Vimeo
• Amazing streaming capabilities

Cons

• No Blu-ray support

5. GOM Media Player

Over the years, GOM has emerged as one of the most versatile DVD players for Windows 10 and all other earlier versions of the OS. Its video playback features are nothing short of amazing since GOM enables you to play videos in various resolutions and file formats. However, if you would like to use this media player to open Blu-ray discs you must ensure that you have the necessary codecs. Even so, GOM features a variety of built-in codecs such as Vobris, H263, MP42 or XVID that ensure you can open almost all types of video files.

Besides stunning video playback capabilities that even allow you to view 360° VR videos, GOM also features an extensive subtitle library. The media player searches for subtitles automatically and if it finds a subtitle for a particular video it adds them automatically. Upgrading to the paid version of the GOM media player can be a good idea if you want to get rid of ads or make sure that the playback of 4K UHD video files is smooth.

Pros

• Quick and easy installation process
• A rich subtitle library
• Supports a broad range of audio and video files
• Low system requirements

Cons

• Additional codecs are required for the playback of Blu-ray discs

6. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema)

Even though it has been more than two years since the last and probably the final version of MPC-HC has been released, this media player is still one of the best ways to play DVDs and Blu-rays on Windows 10. The video and audio playback tools MPC-HC has to offer cannot be compared to those provided by VLC or even GOM media player as it only features the basic options you need to play a DVD or a Blu-ray disc. Moreover, the process of playing a DVD with MPC-HC is quite technical as you must adjust the media player’s settings in order to play content from that source.

The codecs you will have to install on your PC depends on the type of content you would like to watch. MPC-HC provides support for or codecs, but it is better to install a full codec pack and ensure that you have all the codecs you need to play audio and video files. Furthermore, playing videos in 4K resolution with MPC-HC is not possible, but you can use it as a DVB player if you want to broadcast videos from your PC to other devices.

Pros

• Ad-free
• Smooth playback of Blu-ray and DVD discs
• Supports all common audio and video file formats
• Different toolbar skins are available

Cons

• Basic audio and video playback options

7. KMPlayer

This modernly and elegantly designed media player lets you watch 3D, 4K or UHD videos regardless of the format in which they are saved. The KMPlayer features all codecs it needs to play different types of audio and video files, so you don’t have to look for codecs you need to open a particular media file. You can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit PC versions of KMPlayer, or opt to use this media player on an Android or iPhone device.

Adding subtitles to a video in KMPlayer is an effortless process that won’t take more than a couple of clicks. Besides the remarkable video playback options, KMPlayer also allows you to listen to music through its music player and enables you to download videos from Instagram, Daily Motion or YouTube. The media player also lets you capture audio and video files and save them in virtually any format you want.

Pros

• Displays high-resolution files accurately and without delay
• Performs well on older PC configurations
• Easy subtitle setup
• Offers basic screen capturing options

Cons

• No stereo sound support

8. PowerDVD 19

PowerDVD is arguably the best DVD player for Windows ever created, and it is no surprise that its latest version offers a wide range of audio and video playback options. PowerDVD 19 is available in Standard, Pro and Ultra versions that are all differently priced and provide different video and audio playback features. The Standard version of PowerDVD 19 can run on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but you can only play 4K videos with this media player if you have Windows 10 installed on your PC.

In addition to playing DVD and Blu-ray discs you can also use PowerDVD 19 to download videos, 360° VR videos, audio or image files and stream videos from PowerDVD to your television set. This iconic media player offers HDR support and it is True Theater technology enhances the colors in videos you play with it. However, if you would like to watch 8K or HDR content with PowerDVD 19 you must purchase its Ultra version.

Pros

• Full codec support
• Excellent screencasting capabilities
• Smooth playback of HDR, 8K and 4K videos
• Powerful audio playback features

Cons

• PowerDVD 19 cannot be used for free

9. Leawo Blue-ray player

If you are looking for a media player that can open both Blu-ray and DVD discs, you should look no further, because Leawo Blu-ray player is equipped with a plethora of features that make every home theater experience more enjoyable. The player lets you open DVD files, DVD folders, as well as DVD ISO and IFO files, however, you cannot use it to play videos in resolutions larger than 1080p.

Leawo Blu-ray player enables you to watch or listen to the content from Blu-ray discs on Windows 10 and all other versions of the OS up to Windows Vista. Adding subtitles or selecting the audio track of a video file is easy and optionally you can search through the DVD player’s subtitle library if the original video doesn’t have built-in subtitles. More advanced video playback options like screencasting or screen capturing are not available, which means that you can only watch the videos that are stored on DVDs or Blu-rays from your computer.

Pros

• Allows users to load multiple files simultaneously
• Compatible with all versions of Windows OS since Windows Vista
• Intuitive media control menu
• Excellent audio decoding options

Cons

• No advanced video and audio playback options

10. Macgo Windows Blu-ray

Even though this media player is primarily designed for macOS, the manufacturer announced that the Windows version of the app is going to become available soon. The Macgo Windows Blu-ray player is expected to offer support for a broad range of Blu-ray file formats and video files, which should enable its users to watch or listen to content without any restrictions. The media player can also display a variety of photo file formats, including CR2 files, and its users can utilize it to browse through their photo collections and ever view RAW files.

The current Mac-based versions of the software offer support for Dolby TrueHD Audio DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS 5.1 codecs that ensure you can hear every sound in a video accurately. Macgo Windows Blu-ray should also be equipped with a range of subtitle options that allow you to customize the color, size or the font of a video’s subtitles.

Pros

• Supports nearly all Blu-ray and video file formats
• Powerful audio playback features
• Displays image files
• Offers online video playback options

Cons

• This Blu-ray and DVD player is still in Beta stage

Conclusion

Even though Windows 10 doesn’t have a native DVD or Blu-ray players, finding a media player that enables you to watch video and audio content from Blu-ray or DVD discs shouldn’t be too difficult. Media players like Pot Player or VLC are powerful enough to provide smooth playback of all audio and video files for free, while DVD players like PowerDVD or KMPlayer are a better option if you are looking for a true home theater experience. Which DVD player for Windows 10 are you going to choose? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

As it is now the second decade of the 21st century, data carriers like DVDs are slowly becoming obsolete. A growing number of laptop and desktop PCs no longer feature optical disc drives, while the discontinuation of the Windows Media Center marked the end of an era in which Windows OS offered a built-in DVD player.

The Windows 10 doesn’t have a native app that enables you to play movies or music from DVD and Blu-ray discs, and you must install a third-party DVDvideo player if you want to view content from these sources. Luckily there is no shortage of media players that are compatible with Windows 10, so in this article, we are going to take you through some of the best free DVD players on the market and help you choose the one that meets all your needs.

Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

Before you opt for one DVD player or the other you must first check which audio and video file formats they support or find out if you can use them to play Blu-ray discs. You should also check a player’s compatibility with the operating system you have installed on your computer and that you have all the codecs necessary to play ISO and other image, audio and video file format. So let’s take a look at ten best free DVD players for Windows 10.

1. VLC Media Player by VideoLan

Over the course of the last two decades, VLC has established itself as one of the most versatile media players ever created. This cross-platform app can be used on Macs, PCs, Linux computers and Smartphones to play different types of audio, image and video files. In fact, VLC is probably the most reliable DVD player you can find, as it allows you to play DVD and Blu-ray discs effortlessly. However, if you want to watch videos in 4K or 8K resolution, you must install the VLC 3.0 Vetinari update of the media player.

What’s more, playing a DVD or a Blu-ray with VLC is a simple task you can complete in just a few clicks. The Open Disc option that is located in the player’s Media menu enables you to choose if you would like to open a DVD, VCD, Audio CD or Blu-ray disc. Moreover, you won’t need to install additional or MPEG-4 codecs, since VLC can play the vast majority of video files regardless of the codec they are using.

Pros

• Available to all PC and Mac users for free
• The most versatile media player on the market
• Offers basic video editing options
• Powerful subtitle syncing tools

Cons

• The playback of 4K or 8K video files can be choppy

2. PotPlayer

If you are looking for a DVD player that is compatible with all versions of Windows that were released since Windows Vista, PotPlayer might be one of your best options. Besides providing support for all commonly used video file formats and allowing you to play DVDs, Blu-rays or audio CDs, PotPlayer also offers support for different types of 3D glasses. This Windows-based media player is equipped with enhanced H/W Acceleration technology that enables the software to assist the CPU and GPU during the playback of demanding video files.

PotPlayer has all the codecs that are required for the playback of various types of multimedia files, so you don’t have to waste time searching for the codec packs that make possible playing video and audio content that is stored on DVDs or Blu-rays. The media player lets you choose a sound card in case you have more just than one and it supports SRT and SMI, VOB and Blu-ray subtitles.

Pros

• Full OpenCodec support
• Provides a unique 3D viewing experience
• Enables users to bookmark chapters
• Compatible with TV, DVD and HDTV devices

Cons

• Audio playback options could be better

3. BlazeDVD

This is a powerful multimedia player that enables you to watch even region coded and CSS-encrypted DVDs. However, the free version of BlazeDVD doesn’t allow you to open region coded DVDs and Blu-rays or add subtitles to your files. So if you want to gain access to all the features this DVD player has to offer, you must make a one-time payment of $49.96 and upgrade to its Pro version. Both versions of BlazeDVD let you play DVDs, VCDs or SVCDs and allow you to choose between different playback modes.

The Surround Sound support enhances the audio playback and provides a theater-like experience to the viewers. Moreover, you can choose between ten audio filters you can apply to media files you open with BlazeDVD or use the Parental Control feature if you want to restrict the access to violent content to your children. Creating slideshows from still images or recording videos in an MPEG2 file format are also among the options you are going to have at your disposal if you opt for the paid version of BlazeDVD.

Pros

• Excellent audio playback capabilities
• Features a learning mode
• Equipped with the Smart Stretch technology
• Multi-core CPU acceleration features enhance the video and audio playback

Cons

• The free version of BlazeDVD offers only limited DVD and Blu-ray playback options

4. 5KPlayer

In case you are looking for a perfect DVD player for your home theater, 5KPlayer is probably one of the best options you can find on the market. PC and Mac users can install this DVD player on their devices for free and even use it to capture screens in 4K resolution. The AirPlay technology enables mirroring, while you can also use 5KPlayer to download videos from more than 300 websites including platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

This media player offers a smooth playback of 4K, Full HD and 360° videos, and it enables you to stream audio and video via its DLNA and AirPlay features. Its DXVA2 hardware acceleration helps render HDR 4K and 8K videos in MTS, MKV or VR 360° formats. What’s more 5KPlayer can detect and play stereo, Dolby or DTS multichannel surround sound in MP3, WMA or FLAC file formats. This cross-platform multimedia player is equipped with a built-in radio player and it supports all common subtitle file formats.

Pros

• Offers support for a broad range of audio and video files
• Excellent screen capturing tools
• Enables users to download video content from Facebook, Dailymotion, YouTube or Vimeo
• Amazing streaming capabilities

Cons

• No Blu-ray support

5. GOM Media Player

Over the years, GOM has emerged as one of the most versatile DVD players for Windows 10 and all other earlier versions of the OS. Its video playback features are nothing short of amazing since GOM enables you to play videos in various resolutions and file formats. However, if you would like to use this media player to open Blu-ray discs you must ensure that you have the necessary codecs. Even so, GOM features a variety of built-in codecs such as Vobris, H263, MP42 or XVID that ensure you can open almost all types of video files.

Besides stunning video playback capabilities that even allow you to view 360° VR videos, GOM also features an extensive subtitle library. The media player searches for subtitles automatically and if it finds a subtitle for a particular video it adds them automatically. Upgrading to the paid version of the GOM media player can be a good idea if you want to get rid of ads or make sure that the playback of 4K UHD video files is smooth.

Pros

• Quick and easy installation process
• A rich subtitle library
• Supports a broad range of audio and video files
• Low system requirements

Cons

• Additional codecs are required for the playback of Blu-ray discs

6. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema)

Even though it has been more than two years since the last and probably the final version of MPC-HC has been released, this media player is still one of the best ways to play DVDs and Blu-rays on Windows 10. The video and audio playback tools MPC-HC has to offer cannot be compared to those provided by VLC or even GOM media player as it only features the basic options you need to play a DVD or a Blu-ray disc. Moreover, the process of playing a DVD with MPC-HC is quite technical as you must adjust the media player’s settings in order to play content from that source.

The codecs you will have to install on your PC depends on the type of content you would like to watch. MPC-HC provides support for or codecs, but it is better to install a full codec pack and ensure that you have all the codecs you need to play audio and video files. Furthermore, playing videos in 4K resolution with MPC-HC is not possible, but you can use it as a DVB player if you want to broadcast videos from your PC to other devices.

Pros

• Ad-free
• Smooth playback of Blu-ray and DVD discs
• Supports all common audio and video file formats
• Different toolbar skins are available

Cons

• Basic audio and video playback options

7. KMPlayer

This modernly and elegantly designed media player lets you watch 3D, 4K or UHD videos regardless of the format in which they are saved. The KMPlayer features all codecs it needs to play different types of audio and video files, so you don’t have to look for codecs you need to open a particular media file. You can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit PC versions of KMPlayer, or opt to use this media player on an Android or iPhone device.

Adding subtitles to a video in KMPlayer is an effortless process that won’t take more than a couple of clicks. Besides the remarkable video playback options, KMPlayer also allows you to listen to music through its music player and enables you to download videos from Instagram, Daily Motion or YouTube. The media player also lets you capture audio and video files and save them in virtually any format you want.

Pros

• Displays high-resolution files accurately and without delay
• Performs well on older PC configurations
• Easy subtitle setup
• Offers basic screen capturing options

Cons

• No stereo sound support

8. PowerDVD 19

PowerDVD is arguably the best DVD player for Windows ever created, and it is no surprise that its latest version offers a wide range of audio and video playback options. PowerDVD 19 is available in Standard, Pro and Ultra versions that are all differently priced and provide different video and audio playback features. The Standard version of PowerDVD 19 can run on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but you can only play 4K videos with this media player if you have Windows 10 installed on your PC.

In addition to playing DVD and Blu-ray discs you can also use PowerDVD 19 to download videos, 360° VR videos, audio or image files and stream videos from PowerDVD to your television set. This iconic media player offers HDR support and it is True Theater technology enhances the colors in videos you play with it. However, if you would like to watch 8K or HDR content with PowerDVD 19 you must purchase its Ultra version.

Pros

• Full codec support
• Excellent screencasting capabilities
• Smooth playback of HDR, 8K and 4K videos
• Powerful audio playback features

Cons

• PowerDVD 19 cannot be used for free

9. Leawo Blue-ray player

If you are looking for a media player that can open both Blu-ray and DVD discs, you should look no further, because Leawo Blu-ray player is equipped with a plethora of features that make every home theater experience more enjoyable. The player lets you open DVD files, DVD folders, as well as DVD ISO and IFO files, however, you cannot use it to play videos in resolutions larger than 1080p.

Leawo Blu-ray player enables you to watch or listen to the content from Blu-ray discs on Windows 10 and all other versions of the OS up to Windows Vista. Adding subtitles or selecting the audio track of a video file is easy and optionally you can search through the DVD player’s subtitle library if the original video doesn’t have built-in subtitles. More advanced video playback options like screencasting or screen capturing are not available, which means that you can only watch the videos that are stored on DVDs or Blu-rays from your computer.

Pros

• Allows users to load multiple files simultaneously
• Compatible with all versions of Windows OS since Windows Vista
• Intuitive media control menu
• Excellent audio decoding options

Cons

• No advanced video and audio playback options

10. Macgo Windows Blu-ray

Even though this media player is primarily designed for macOS, the manufacturer announced that the Windows version of the app is going to become available soon. The Macgo Windows Blu-ray player is expected to offer support for a broad range of Blu-ray file formats and video files, which should enable its users to watch or listen to content without any restrictions. The media player can also display a variety of photo file formats, including CR2 files, and its users can utilize it to browse through their photo collections and ever view RAW files.

The current Mac-based versions of the software offer support for Dolby TrueHD Audio DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS 5.1 codecs that ensure you can hear every sound in a video accurately. Macgo Windows Blu-ray should also be equipped with a range of subtitle options that allow you to customize the color, size or the font of a video’s subtitles.

Pros

• Supports nearly all Blu-ray and video file formats
• Powerful audio playback features
• Displays image files
• Offers online video playback options

Cons

• This Blu-ray and DVD player is still in Beta stage

Conclusion

Even though Windows 10 doesn’t have a native DVD or Blu-ray players, finding a media player that enables you to watch video and audio content from Blu-ray or DVD discs shouldn’t be too difficult. Media players like Pot Player or VLC are powerful enough to provide smooth playback of all audio and video files for free, while DVD players like PowerDVD or KMPlayer are a better option if you are looking for a true home theater experience. Which DVD player for Windows 10 are you going to choose? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

As it is now the second decade of the 21st century, data carriers like DVDs are slowly becoming obsolete. A growing number of laptop and desktop PCs no longer feature optical disc drives, while the discontinuation of the Windows Media Center marked the end of an era in which Windows OS offered a built-in DVD player.

The Windows 10 doesn’t have a native app that enables you to play movies or music from DVD and Blu-ray discs, and you must install a third-party DVDvideo player if you want to view content from these sources. Luckily there is no shortage of media players that are compatible with Windows 10, so in this article, we are going to take you through some of the best free DVD players on the market and help you choose the one that meets all your needs.

Best Free DVD Players for Windows 10

Before you opt for one DVD player or the other you must first check which audio and video file formats they support or find out if you can use them to play Blu-ray discs. You should also check a player’s compatibility with the operating system you have installed on your computer and that you have all the codecs necessary to play ISO and other image, audio and video file format. So let’s take a look at ten best free DVD players for Windows 10.

1. VLC Media Player by VideoLan

Over the course of the last two decades, VLC has established itself as one of the most versatile media players ever created. This cross-platform app can be used on Macs, PCs, Linux computers and Smartphones to play different types of audio, image and video files. In fact, VLC is probably the most reliable DVD player you can find, as it allows you to play DVD and Blu-ray discs effortlessly. However, if you want to watch videos in 4K or 8K resolution, you must install the VLC 3.0 Vetinari update of the media player.

What’s more, playing a DVD or a Blu-ray with VLC is a simple task you can complete in just a few clicks. The Open Disc option that is located in the player’s Media menu enables you to choose if you would like to open a DVD, VCD, Audio CD or Blu-ray disc. Moreover, you won’t need to install additional or MPEG-4 codecs, since VLC can play the vast majority of video files regardless of the codec they are using.

Pros

• Available to all PC and Mac users for free
• The most versatile media player on the market
• Offers basic video editing options
• Powerful subtitle syncing tools

Cons

• The playback of 4K or 8K video files can be choppy

2. PotPlayer

If you are looking for a DVD player that is compatible with all versions of Windows that were released since Windows Vista, PotPlayer might be one of your best options. Besides providing support for all commonly used video file formats and allowing you to play DVDs, Blu-rays or audio CDs, PotPlayer also offers support for different types of 3D glasses. This Windows-based media player is equipped with enhanced H/W Acceleration technology that enables the software to assist the CPU and GPU during the playback of demanding video files.

PotPlayer has all the codecs that are required for the playback of various types of multimedia files, so you don’t have to waste time searching for the codec packs that make possible playing video and audio content that is stored on DVDs or Blu-rays. The media player lets you choose a sound card in case you have more just than one and it supports SRT and SMI, VOB and Blu-ray subtitles.

Pros

• Full OpenCodec support
• Provides a unique 3D viewing experience
• Enables users to bookmark chapters
• Compatible with TV, DVD and HDTV devices

Cons

• Audio playback options could be better

3. BlazeDVD

This is a powerful multimedia player that enables you to watch even region coded and CSS-encrypted DVDs. However, the free version of BlazeDVD doesn’t allow you to open region coded DVDs and Blu-rays or add subtitles to your files. So if you want to gain access to all the features this DVD player has to offer, you must make a one-time payment of $49.96 and upgrade to its Pro version. Both versions of BlazeDVD let you play DVDs, VCDs or SVCDs and allow you to choose between different playback modes.

The Surround Sound support enhances the audio playback and provides a theater-like experience to the viewers. Moreover, you can choose between ten audio filters you can apply to media files you open with BlazeDVD or use the Parental Control feature if you want to restrict the access to violent content to your children. Creating slideshows from still images or recording videos in an MPEG2 file format are also among the options you are going to have at your disposal if you opt for the paid version of BlazeDVD.

Pros

• Excellent audio playback capabilities
• Features a learning mode
• Equipped with the Smart Stretch technology
• Multi-core CPU acceleration features enhance the video and audio playback

Cons

• The free version of BlazeDVD offers only limited DVD and Blu-ray playback options

4. 5KPlayer

In case you are looking for a perfect DVD player for your home theater, 5KPlayer is probably one of the best options you can find on the market. PC and Mac users can install this DVD player on their devices for free and even use it to capture screens in 4K resolution. The AirPlay technology enables mirroring, while you can also use 5KPlayer to download videos from more than 300 websites including platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.

This media player offers a smooth playback of 4K, Full HD and 360° videos, and it enables you to stream audio and video via its DLNA and AirPlay features. Its DXVA2 hardware acceleration helps render HDR 4K and 8K videos in MTS, MKV or VR 360° formats. What’s more 5KPlayer can detect and play stereo, Dolby or DTS multichannel surround sound in MP3, WMA or FLAC file formats. This cross-platform multimedia player is equipped with a built-in radio player and it supports all common subtitle file formats.

Pros

• Offers support for a broad range of audio and video files
• Excellent screen capturing tools
• Enables users to download video content from Facebook, Dailymotion, YouTube or Vimeo
• Amazing streaming capabilities

Cons

• No Blu-ray support

5. GOM Media Player

Over the years, GOM has emerged as one of the most versatile DVD players for Windows 10 and all other earlier versions of the OS. Its video playback features are nothing short of amazing since GOM enables you to play videos in various resolutions and file formats. However, if you would like to use this media player to open Blu-ray discs you must ensure that you have the necessary codecs. Even so, GOM features a variety of built-in codecs such as Vobris, H263, MP42 or XVID that ensure you can open almost all types of video files.

Besides stunning video playback capabilities that even allow you to view 360° VR videos, GOM also features an extensive subtitle library. The media player searches for subtitles automatically and if it finds a subtitle for a particular video it adds them automatically. Upgrading to the paid version of the GOM media player can be a good idea if you want to get rid of ads or make sure that the playback of 4K UHD video files is smooth.

Pros

• Quick and easy installation process
• A rich subtitle library
• Supports a broad range of audio and video files
• Low system requirements

Cons

• Additional codecs are required for the playback of Blu-ray discs

6. MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema)

Even though it has been more than two years since the last and probably the final version of MPC-HC has been released, this media player is still one of the best ways to play DVDs and Blu-rays on Windows 10. The video and audio playback tools MPC-HC has to offer cannot be compared to those provided by VLC or even GOM media player as it only features the basic options you need to play a DVD or a Blu-ray disc. Moreover, the process of playing a DVD with MPC-HC is quite technical as you must adjust the media player’s settings in order to play content from that source.

The codecs you will have to install on your PC depends on the type of content you would like to watch. MPC-HC provides support for or codecs, but it is better to install a full codec pack and ensure that you have all the codecs you need to play audio and video files. Furthermore, playing videos in 4K resolution with MPC-HC is not possible, but you can use it as a DVB player if you want to broadcast videos from your PC to other devices.

Pros

• Ad-free
• Smooth playback of Blu-ray and DVD discs
• Supports all common audio and video file formats
• Different toolbar skins are available

Cons

• Basic audio and video playback options

7. KMPlayer

This modernly and elegantly designed media player lets you watch 3D, 4K or UHD videos regardless of the format in which they are saved. The KMPlayer features all codecs it needs to play different types of audio and video files, so you don’t have to look for codecs you need to open a particular media file. You can choose between 32-bit and 64-bit PC versions of KMPlayer, or opt to use this media player on an Android or iPhone device.

Adding subtitles to a video in KMPlayer is an effortless process that won’t take more than a couple of clicks. Besides the remarkable video playback options, KMPlayer also allows you to listen to music through its music player and enables you to download videos from Instagram, Daily Motion or YouTube. The media player also lets you capture audio and video files and save them in virtually any format you want.

Pros

• Displays high-resolution files accurately and without delay
• Performs well on older PC configurations
• Easy subtitle setup
• Offers basic screen capturing options

Cons

• No stereo sound support

8. PowerDVD 19

PowerDVD is arguably the best DVD player for Windows ever created, and it is no surprise that its latest version offers a wide range of audio and video playback options. PowerDVD 19 is available in Standard, Pro and Ultra versions that are all differently priced and provide different video and audio playback features. The Standard version of PowerDVD 19 can run on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but you can only play 4K videos with this media player if you have Windows 10 installed on your PC.

In addition to playing DVD and Blu-ray discs you can also use PowerDVD 19 to download videos, 360° VR videos, audio or image files and stream videos from PowerDVD to your television set. This iconic media player offers HDR support and it is True Theater technology enhances the colors in videos you play with it. However, if you would like to watch 8K or HDR content with PowerDVD 19 you must purchase its Ultra version.

Pros

• Full codec support
• Excellent screencasting capabilities
• Smooth playback of HDR, 8K and 4K videos
• Powerful audio playback features

Cons

• PowerDVD 19 cannot be used for free

9. Leawo Blue-ray player

If you are looking for a media player that can open both Blu-ray and DVD discs, you should look no further, because Leawo Blu-ray player is equipped with a plethora of features that make every home theater experience more enjoyable. The player lets you open DVD files, DVD folders, as well as DVD ISO and IFO files, however, you cannot use it to play videos in resolutions larger than 1080p.

Leawo Blu-ray player enables you to watch or listen to the content from Blu-ray discs on Windows 10 and all other versions of the OS up to Windows Vista. Adding subtitles or selecting the audio track of a video file is easy and optionally you can search through the DVD player’s subtitle library if the original video doesn’t have built-in subtitles. More advanced video playback options like screencasting or screen capturing are not available, which means that you can only watch the videos that are stored on DVDs or Blu-rays from your computer.

Pros

• Allows users to load multiple files simultaneously
• Compatible with all versions of Windows OS since Windows Vista
• Intuitive media control menu
• Excellent audio decoding options

Cons

• No advanced video and audio playback options

10. Macgo Windows Blu-ray

Even though this media player is primarily designed for macOS, the manufacturer announced that the Windows version of the app is going to become available soon. The Macgo Windows Blu-ray player is expected to offer support for a broad range of Blu-ray file formats and video files, which should enable its users to watch or listen to content without any restrictions. The media player can also display a variety of photo file formats, including CR2 files, and its users can utilize it to browse through their photo collections and ever view RAW files.

The current Mac-based versions of the software offer support for Dolby TrueHD Audio DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS 5.1 codecs that ensure you can hear every sound in a video accurately. Macgo Windows Blu-ray should also be equipped with a range of subtitle options that allow you to customize the color, size or the font of a video’s subtitles.

Pros

• Supports nearly all Blu-ray and video file formats
• Powerful audio playback features
• Displays image files
• Offers online video playback options

Cons

• This Blu-ray and DVD player is still in Beta stage

Conclusion

Even though Windows 10 doesn’t have a native DVD or Blu-ray players, finding a media player that enables you to watch video and audio content from Blu-ray or DVD discs shouldn’t be too difficult. Media players like Pot Player or VLC are powerful enough to provide smooth playback of all audio and video files for free, while DVD players like PowerDVD or KMPlayer are a better option if you are looking for a true home theater experience. Which DVD player for Windows 10 are you going to choose? Leave a comment and let us know.

Ollie Mattison

Ollie Mattison is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Ollie Mattison

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