Downloads: HEVC players
Programs that play HEVC with nothing else to install, with their licence and platforms. Every link goes to the project's official site: we host or modify no installers.
We only link to each program's official download. Be wary of sites offering a "free HEVC codec" with their own installer.
Players
-
VLC media player
Systems:- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
The most popular free player. Ships its own HEVC decoder and uses GPU acceleration. Opens everything: MKV, MP4, TS, unencrypted Blu-ray.
Official site of VLC media player -
mpv
Systems:- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Minimalist with top picture quality out of the box (scaling, HDR tone mapping). Keyboard-driven, configured with a text file.
Official site of mpv -
MPC-HC (clsid2)
Systems:- Windows
The classic Media Player Classic, community maintained. Lightweight, with built-in LAV Filters and madVR support.
Official site of MPC-HC (clsid2) -
PotPlayer
Systems:- Windows
Feature-packed and customisable, with hardware decoding (DXVA, CUDA, QSV) and HDR support. Free, closed source.
Official site of PotPlayer -
IINA
Systems:- macOS
The modern macOS player, based on mpv. Opens HEVC in MKV, subtitles and HDR with a native Mac interface.
Official site of IINA -
Kodi
Systems:- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
Media centre for the living room: library, artwork and HEVC 4K HDR playback with acceleration on almost any device.
Official site of Kodi -
Celluloid
Systems:- Linux
GTK front end for mpv that fits GNOME. Available on Flathub.
Official site of Celluloid -
Haruna
Systems:- Linux
KDE player built on mpv, with YouTube support and hardware acceleration.
Official site of Haruna -
SMPlayer
Systems:- Windows
- Linux
Full-featured front end for mpv or MPlayer that remembers each video's position. Portable version for Windows.
Official site of SMPlayer -
Infuse
Systems:- macOS
- iOS
Player for iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and Mac with library and Plex, Jellyfin or NAS support. HEVC free; some paid features.
Official site of Infuse
Codecs and filters
-
Extensiones de vídeo HEVC
Systems:- Windows
Microsoft's official codec: enables HEVC across Windows (Photos, Media Player, File Explorer, Edge).
Official site of Extensiones de vídeo HEVC -
LAV Filters
Systems:- Windows
FFmpeg-based DirectShow filters so classic Windows players can read HEVC.
Official site of LAV Filters -
K-Lite Codec Pack
Systems:- Windows
Bundle with LAV Filters, MPC-HC and utilities. Download only from codecguide.com and pick "Basic" or "Standard".
Official site of K-Lite Codec Pack
Conversion and utilities
-
HandBrake
Systems:- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Converts video to HEVC (x265 or GPU) or HEVC to H.264 with ready-made presets for each device.
Official site of HandBrake -
FFmpeg
Systems:- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
The command-line Swiss army knife: convert, remux MKV to MP4, change hev1 to hvc1, extract tracks.
Official site of FFmpeg -
MediaInfo
Systems:- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
Shows which codec, profile, level, bit depth and HDR a file uses. Essential to know whether a video is HEVC Main 10.
Official site of MediaInfo -
Shotcut
Systems:- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Free video editor that imports and exports HEVC, with hardware encoding.
Official site of Shotcut
Which one should I pick?
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Something that just works, anywhere | VLC |
| Best picture and HDR on a PC | mpv, MPC-HC + madVR |
| A native Mac player | IINA |
| HEVC in Windows Photos, Edge and File Explorer | HEVC Video Extensions |
| A library on the TV | Kodi, Infuse |
| Convert for an old device | HandBrake |
Need help installing? See the installation guides or how to convert video.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free HEVC player?
For most people, VLC: free, open source, runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, and decodes HEVC even if the system lacks the codec. Picture-quality enthusiasts often prefer mpv or MPC-HC with madVR.
Do I need a codec pack?
Not if you use VLC, mpv, PotPlayer or Kodi. K-Lite Codec Pack only makes sense if you want Windows Media Player or other DirectShow programs to play HEVC.