VLC media playerLinux
vs
QuickTime PlayerWindows
VLC media player as a Linux alternative to QuickTime Player
Updated
Our verdict
VLC is a solid replacement for QuickTime Player on Linux. It handles .mov files with H.264 and ProRes, plays standard .mp4 and .mkv, and offers hardware acceleration on most GPUs. VLC has no telemetry or account requirement, and it lets you adjust audio/video sync. It is lightweight enough for everyday use and fully open‑source. Users who need advanced editing or professional ProRes workflow may find VLC lacking, but for casual playback and basic conversion it is the right choice.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.0.23 (January 1, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both play .mov, .mp4, .mkv and other common containers
- Both support hardware‑accelerated playback
- Both are free and open‑source
- Both allow manual audio/video sync adjustment
- Both provide subtitle support
What is different
- VLC does not natively edit or encode ProRes; QuickTime offered built‑in ProRes editing
- VLC lacks the Apple‑specific metadata handling and QuickTime’s native integration with macOS/iOS ecosystems
- VLC does not provide a dedicated ProRes encoder; QuickTime had one
- VLC’s interface is more generic and may feel less polished for macOS users
- VLC does not support QuickTime’s proprietary QuickTime File Format (QTFF) extensions such as QuickTime Animation or QuickTime 3D
Opening your QuickTime Player files
VLC opens .mov files containing H.264 and ProRes without issue. Exporting to QuickTime‑specific formats is not a feature of VLC; it can convert to .mp4 or .mkv but not to a native QuickTime file with all metadata intact. For pure playback, VLC is fine; for exporting back to QuickTime, use another tool.
Switching from QuickTime Player to VLC media player, step by step
- Install VLC from your distribution’s package manager or Flathub (v3.0.23).
- Open the .mov file via File → Open File or drag‑and‑drop.
- If playback is choppy, enable hardware acceleration in Tools → Preferences → Input/Codecs.
- Use the Sync dialog (Tools → Track Synchronization) to adjust audio/video timing.
- Optional: Convert the file to .mp4 via Media → Convert/Save for better compatibility.
Key features of VLC media player
- Plays most audio and video formats out of the box
- Supports DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs and network streams
- Built‑in subtitle support with synchronization
- Media conversion and basic editing
- Streaming server capabilities
- Extensible via plugins and skins
- Command‑line interface for scripting
How to install VLC media player on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLCFrequently asked questions
Does VLC support ProRes playback?
Yes, VLC can play ProRes streams, but performance depends on hardware acceleration and CPU power. On older CPUs it may be choppy.
Will VLC collect telemetry data?
No. VLC is open‑source and does not send usage statistics to any server.
Can I edit video directly in VLC?
VLC has limited trimming and basic filtering, but it does not provide full video editing or ProRes encoding like QuickTime does.
3 other alternatives to QuickTime Player
mpvmpv is a free, open‑source, cross‑platform media player that plays almost any video or audio format.Open sourceFreeFlatpakmpv vs QuickTime Player
CelluloidCelluloid is a lightweight media player for Linux that uses the mpv engine and GTK for a clean GNOME‑style…Open sourceFreeFlatpakCelluloid vs QuickTime Player
TotemTotem (GNOME Videos) is the default GNOME video player built on GStreamer.Open sourceFreeTotem vs QuickTime Player