VLC Media Player is the way to go when looking for a program offering robust file compatibility, versatile playback, and frequent stability updates. There’s not much VLC can’t handle for casual audio and video playback or conversion. If you are into streaming or downloading video, you’ll love the intuitive video effects for interactive zooming, video capturing, blurring, and mirroring images, among others.

Although the default interface is plain, sleek, and stuffed with various playback icons wrapped in a light-gray design, the software also features an assortment of customization options for quickly swapping viewing modes and tweaking the toolbar with additional controls.

The free, open-source software is capable of playing just about any media format you can imagine, including internet radio and a large number of both video and audio streaming protocols. VLC has held the media player crown for years, even before graduating from its beta phase in 2009.