SMPlayerLinux
vs
VLCWindows
SMPlayer as a Linux alternative to VLC
Updated
Our verdict
SMPlayer is a solid replacement for VLC for most everyday users who want a single‑package player that works out of the box. It covers the core tasks of playing almost any audio or video file, streaming, subtitles, and casting, and adds YouTube playback and automatic subtitle download. It is best suited for users who prefer a lightweight, self‑contained player and don’t need VLC’s advanced transcoding or extensive plugin ecosystem.
- License
- GPL-2.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 25.6.0 (June 8, 2025)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both are free, open‑source, cross‑platform media players that support a wide range of codecs and formats without extra installs.
- Both can play network streams and handle external subtitle files.
- Both offer keyboard shortcuts and customizable playback controls.
- Both receive regular updates and are available through major Linux package managers.
- Both support casting to external devices via standard protocols.
What is different
- SMPlayer bundles its own codecs, so no external codec packs are required; VLC relies on system or third‑party libraries.
- SMPlayer lacks VLC’s built‑in transcoding and advanced filter chain configuration.
- SMPlayer does not provide the extensive plugin architecture that VLC offers for network protocols and streaming protocols.
- SMPlayer’s UI is simpler and less feature‑dense; VLC offers more advanced playback options and a broader set of media tools.
- SMPlayer does not natively support some specialized streaming protocols (e.g., RTSP over certain authentication schemes) that VLC does.
Opening your VLC files
Both players can open standard media files and playlists. SMPlayer can open VLC playlist files (.xspf, .m3u, .pls) and vice versa. There is no special export format in SMPlayer; it simply plays files. If you need to convert files, both rely on external tools like ffmpeg; SMPlayer does not perform conversion natively.
Switching from VLC to SMPlayer, step by step
- Install SMPlayer via your distro’s package manager or Flathub.
- Open your existing media files or playlists with SMPlayer; it will remember previous settings automatically.
- Configure keyboard shortcuts in SMPlayer’s settings to match your VLC shortcuts if desired.
- If you use VLC’s advanced transcoding or streaming features, consider installing ffmpeg separately for those tasks.
- Keep VLC installed if you need its plugin or protocol support, otherwise uninstall it to free space.
Key features of SMPlayer
- Built-in codecs for virtually all video and audio formats
- Remembers playback position and settings for each file
- Supports playing videos directly from YouTube
- Automatic subtitle search and download
- Cast media to external devices like smartphones and tablets
- No external codec packs required
- Available via Flathub and native package managers
How to install SMPlayer on Linux
flatpak install flathub info.smplayer.SMPlayersudo apt install smplayersudo apt install smplayersudo dnf install smplayersudo pacman -S smplayersudo zypper install smplayerFrequently asked questions
Does SMPlayer support all formats VLC does?
SMPlayer supports virtually all common audio and video formats out of the box thanks to its built‑in codecs. It may miss some very obscure or proprietary formats that VLC can handle via external libraries, but for everyday use the coverage is essentially the same.
Can I use SMPlayer to stream from a network source?
Yes, SMPlayer can play network streams (HTTP, RTSP, etc.) just like VLC. However, for some advanced streaming protocols or authentication methods you may need VLC or additional tools.
Is SMPlayer lighter than VLC?
SMPlayer is generally lighter because it bundles codecs and has a simpler UI. It does not include VLC’s extensive plugin set, which reduces memory usage but also limits some advanced features.
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