Published on: 15 Nov 2019 | Last updated: 16 Sept 2020 | Reading time: 4 minutes | Watching time: 5 minutes
MX and VLC are the two media players with vibrant video and audio tools. An Indian company is behind MX Player, while we all know VLC Media Player. How do both stand against each other in 2020? Let’s find out in VLC vs. MX Player comparison.
Table of contents
Quick Comparison
| Feature | VLC Media Player | MX Player |
|---|---|---|
| 4K support | ✔ | ✔ |
| Chromecast support | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart TV support | ✔ | ❌ |
| Customisable | Yes | Highly |
| Multi-Language subtitle support | ✔ | ✔ |
| Video formats | Most | Most but not as many as VLC |
| Widgets | 2 (same) on Android | ❌ |
| Ads-Free | ✔ | ❌ |
VLC
One of the most popular multi-platform free video players on the planet, VLC is an open-source video player with amazing tools. The software is one of the top music players in a recent study supporting over 50 audio and video file formats. The 19 years old software is available on PC, mobile, and TVs. The software uses the orange and white theme on all the platforms, and it supports offline and online streaming.
MX Player
The eight years old app available for iOS and Android is a direct competitor of VLC. Besides being a fast video player, the company has released several series. The app has over 176 million users, and the app is commercial and fully customisable.
VLC vs. MX Player
Tools
VLC is more focused towards the technical aspects, whereas MX Player also focuses on the customisation and personalisation. MX Player initially was just for videos, but now it supports audio files as well. Take a look at the below table for full tools and options.
| Feature | VLC | MX Player |
|---|---|---|
| Audio support | ✔ | ✔ |
| Streaming | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hardware acceleration | ✔ | ✔ |
| History | ✔ | ✔ |
| Night mode | ✔ | ✔ |
| Android TV support | ✔ | ✔ |
| Save brightness/audio settings | ✔ | ✔ |
| Picture-in-Picture | ✔ | ✔ |
| Subtitle size | ✔ | ✔ |
| Subtitle colour | ✔ | ✔ |
| Remember subtitle timing | ❌ | ✔ |
| Screen settings | ✔ | ✔ |
| Change app colours | ❌ | ✔ |
| Adjust forward/backward speed | ❌ | ✔ |
| Local network | ✔ | ✔ |
| Equaliser | ✔ | ✔ |
| Audio boost | ✔ | ✔ |
| Continue video | ✔ | ✔ |
| Highlight new videos | ❌ | ✔ |
Play screen options
The below table compares the options found on the video player screen.
| Feature | VLC | MX Player |
|---|---|---|
| Choose subtitle | ✔ | ✔ |
| Subtitle delay | ✔ | ✔ |
| Choose audio | ✔ | ✔ |
| Audio delay | ✔ | ❌ |
| Audio play | ✔ | ✔ |
| Playback speed | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
| Equaliser | ✔ | ✔ |
| Crop video | ✔ | ✔ |
| Lock | ✔ | ✔ |
| Repeat options | ✔ | ✔ |
| Download subtitles | ✔ | ✔ |
| Video shuffle | ✔ | ✔ |
Play screen invisible options
| Feature | VLC | MX Player |
|---|---|---|
| Forward and backward | ✔ | ✔ |
| Volume +/- | ✔ | ✔ |
| Zoom / change ratio | ✔ | ✔ |
| Brightness adjustment | ✔ | ✔ |
| Double-tap forward and backward | ✔ | ❌ |
VLC Media Player’s swipe forward/backward feature can be improved because if you forward for a few seconds, the video doesn’t forward. Apart from that, if you manually add a subtitle file and then minimise and maximise the app, you will not see the subtitles. The problem worsens as the subtitle menu does not respond. In that case, going back to the main menu and playing the video again is the only option.
MX Player has one feature missing which is seeking on double-tap. VLC forwards/backwards the video ten seconds if you double-tap on either side of the screen.
HDMI and Chromecast
Many mobile devices such as Note 10 support HDMI ports, but both tools deal with HDMI differently. VLC supports HDMI, and when a device is connected, the device displays the screen saver with the VLC logo. It also supports most of the buttons to control the playback. MX Player contrarily does not support HDMI; hence the media is played on both TV and mobile at the same time. Watch the above video to see both in action.
Regarding the Chromecast, VLC acts the same as with HDMI, but MX Player also supports Chromecast. It displays an image from the video with the device title with all the necessary buttons to control.
MX Share
MX Share or MX File Sharing is a tool which allows transferring video files fastly with the combined help of Bluetooth and WiFi. This powerful sharing technique can also be found in many apps, such as Google Files. The app only supports video files, and the receiving end must have MX Player installed. VLC does not offer sharing tools except the default sharing features.
App details
Android
VLC was released for Android in 2015, and it has over 100 million downloads. MX Player, on the other hand, was released in 2011, and so far it has over 500 million downloads. Both occupy over 70 MB of storage.
VLC Media Player also comes with two widgets on the Android platform. Both offer the same features except the theme. One is the light and the other one is the dark widget. You can place both on the home screen, but it won’t add any benefits.
iOS
VLC Media Player for iOS is about 169 MB, with an average user-based rating of 3 stars. MX Player takes 85 MB of storage and has an average user-based rating of 4.2 stars in the US.
Paid nature
MX Player is a commercial app, and you’ll see ads while browsing. The ads types include in-video when you pause, in between videos section, etc. The premium version of MX costs a few bucks depending on the location which gives access to the ad-free experience.
Video
Still not sure about the two? Watch this VLC vs. MX Player video and see both in action.
Wrap up
I would suggest going with VLC because it supports a little more extensions and is completely free. MX Player is great, but to get rid of ads and unlock premium features, you’ll have to pay money.
| Store | VLC | MX Player |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play | Install | Install |
| App Store | Install | Install |
I hope the blog post VLC vs. MX Player helped. Which app will you be using? Please share your views in the comments below and subscribe to the newsletter for future updates.