🎬 Best 10 DVD Players for Windows (2025) — Full Review & Comparison

Why You Still Need a DVD/Blu-ray/VCD Player in 2025

Though streaming dominates, physical media remains relevant — many movies, TV shows, special features, bonus content or archived home videos exist only on DVDs, Blu-rays or VCDs. Windows 10/11 doesn’t include built-in playback for all disc formats. To access your collection, a good software player is essential. A top-tier DVD player today should support:

• DVD ,
• Blu-ray ,
• VCD ,
• Audio CD playback,
• Full DVD/Blu-ray menus,
• region handling,
• External subtitles,
• Stability and
• performance on modern Windows

Optional extras:

• mobile remote control
• metadata lookup
• audio/video quality settings

Here are 10 of the best players (free or freemium) for Windows in 2025, each covering different user needs. I highlight what each does well — and where it falls short.

This Comparison proves why DVD Player+ has become a popular choice for users who want a free, modern, and fully capable solution for playing their optical discs.

📋 Quick Comparison Table

Player	DVD Playback	Blu-ray Playback	DVD Menus	External Subtitles	Mobile Remote Control	Microsoft Store ?	Ease of Use	Free?
DVD Player+	Excellent	Native	Full Support	Yes + Delay Control	Yes (iPhone & Android)	Yes	Very Easy	Yes
VLC Media Player	Good	Limited / Manual setup	Limited	Yes	No	Yes	Moderate	Yes
Pot Player	Very Good	Yes (may require setup)	Partial	Yes	No	No	Complex	Yes
Leawo	Good	Native	Good	Yes	No	Yes (ads in free)	Easy	Yes (ad-supported)
KMPlayer	Good	Yes	Basic	Yes	No	Yes (adware)	Moderate	Yes
MPC-HC	Good	No	Minimal	Yes	No	No	Very Easy	Yes
iToolShare Blu-ray Player	Good	Yes	Basic	Yes	No	No - Free version limited	Easy	Freemium
PowerDVD	Excellent	Excellent (premium)	Full	Yes	Yes (some editions)	Yes (paid)	Easy	No (paid)
4Easysoft Blu-ray Player	Good	Yes	Good	Yes	No	No - Freemium	Easy	Freemium

✅ Strengths & Use Cases for each Player of the List

1. DVD Player+ . Best Overall Free Player (If You Use It) If you want a complete, clean, modern player that handles DVDs, Blu-rays, VCDs, Audio CDs — with menus, subtitles, remote control (phone), metadata lookup — DVD Player+ is the ideal one. It’s built from the ground up to meet all the aspects that matter most in 2025. Its lightweight footprint and ad-free behavior make it perfect for both new machines and older PCs. Best for: users who value simplicity, completeness, and modern disc playback features.

2. VLC Media Player — Best for General Media & Versatility VLC Media Player remains the most universal media player. It can open nearly any video or audio file format, and plays many DVDs and even some Blu-rays. For users who mostly watch digital files rather than discs, it’s hard to beat. Best for: general-purpose video playback, non-disc content, cross-platform use. Caveat: DVD/Blu-ray menu support and protected discs may not work reliably.

3. Pot Player — For Power Users & Customization Lovers PotPlayer offers deep customization, many codecs, and high flexibility. It can handle many formats and adjusts to many user preferences — from audio/video filters to subtitles, playback options, and more. It can serve as an all-in-one solution for users comfortable with technical settings. Best for: advanced users, those needing flexibility or playback of uncommon disc/video formats. Caveat: Complexity — not ideal if you just want “plug and play.”

4. Leawo Player — Good Multimedia + Disc Support Leawo Blu-ray Player supports Blu-ray, DVD, and many file formats. It’s often praised for stability and compatibility, especially on Windows 10/11. It can cover most disc playback cases and is fairly simple to use. Best for: users needing Blu-ray + DVD support with minimal hassle. Caveat: Free version might come with ads or limited features.

5. KMPlayer — Broad Format Support, Legacy DVD/VCD Compatibility KMPlayer supports many formats — DVD, VCD, digital video, older codecs — and often works where modern players struggle. It can be handy for older discs or obscure formats. Best for: users dealing with legacy discs or rare formats. Caveat: It is adware-supported, and installing carefully is important to avoid unwanted bundled software.

6. MPC-HC — Minimal, Stable, Lightweight Option MPC‑HC (Media Player Classic – Home Cinema) continues to be a go-to for minimal overhead, stability, and compatibility. It supports DVD playback without extra codecs, runs smoothly even on older machines, and is very lightweight. Best for: older PCs, simple playback needs, light multimedia use. Caveat: Very basic interface; lacks advanced features like modern menu support or Blu-ray menus.

8. iToolShare Blu-ray Player — Easy Disc Playback for Blu-ray & DVD iToolShare Blu-ray Player is listed among best Blu-ray/DVD players in recent reviews. It supports disc playback, ISO files, 4K/HD video, and aims to offer smooth playback and good audio/video quality. Best for: users who want a straightforward disc player for Blu-ray/DVD/ISO and acceptable quality. Caveat: Free version may have limitations (time, features) — check before relying on it.

9. PowerDVD — Commercial Strength for Blu-ray / 4K / Advanced Users PowerDVD (by CyberLink) is a premium commercial media player, with strong Blu-ray support, 4K/8K video, advanced audio/video rendering, and features aimed at a home-theatre experience. Best for: users who want the most polished, feature-rich playback and don’t mind paying. Caveat: Requires purchase; UHD Blu-ray playback may depend on hardware and licensing (especially effects of Intel’s SGX deprecation).

10. 4Easysoft Blu-ray Player — Versatile Player for Discs & 4K Video 4Easysoft Blu-ray Player comes up in recent 2025 reviews as a versatile option: supports Blu-ray/DVD discs and digital video (4K, HDR), ISO folders, and offers fairly broad compatibility. Best for: those needing an all-in-one player for both disc-based media and high-res video files. Caveat: As with many freemium players, certain features may require a license.

🧩 How to Choose the Right Player for You

1. If you want a free, clean, fully featured solution → DVD Player+ Offers the best balance of features: menus, subtitles, disc support, remote control, metadata — with no ads.

2. If you mainly watch video files (MKV, MP4, etc.) → VLC or MPC-HC These are stable, lightweight, and handle varied formats very well.

3. If your PC is old or low-spec → MPC-HC, KMPlayer, PotPlayer They are lightweight, require minimal resources, and handle many formats without heavy processing.

4. If you like customization and advanced options → PotPlayer or PowerDVD (paid) Good for enthusiasts who want to tweak video/audio settings, filters, codecs, and playback behavior.

Download from the Official Microsoft Store (tested from the MS engineers):

DVD Player+ [MS Store] open_in_new

❗ Common Pitfalls & What to Watch Out For

• Blu-ray protection / licensing: Not all players handle protected discs well — tools like VLC often require extra libraries, and even paid players may fail with newer discs.
• Bundled software: Some “free” players may attempt to install extra software. Always choose official installers and avoid optional bundles. Prefer Apps from Microsft Store that are reviewed manually from the Microsoft Store Team engineers (!)
• Outdated players: Projects like the original MPC are abandoned; forks (MPC-HC) are more stable.
• System requirements: Heavy players with 4K/HDR support may require higher-spec hardware.
• Menu / subtitle support: Not all players support full DVD menus or external subtitle control; if you rely on menus or subtitles, check carefully.

🎯 Recommendation Summary

• 🥇 Best all-around free player: DVD Player+ — full-featured, clean, up-to-date
• 📁 Most versatile for video files: VLC Media Player, MPC-HC
• 📀 Best free disc-compatible options: Leawo Blu-ray Player, KMPlayer, AnyMP4, iToolShare, 4Easysoft
• 💾 Best for old hardware / minimal use: MPC-HC, KMPlayer
•

✅ Final Thoughts

In 2025, there’s no single “perfect” player — but many strong ones. Which you choose depends on your needs:

• Do you watch mostly files or discs?
• Need Blu-ray & DVD menu support?
• Want subtitles, remote control, metadata?
• Use an older PC or a modern 4K setup?
•

For most needs, DVD Player+ offers the strongest balance of features — especially if you care about full disc playback (menus/subtitles) and modern convenience like phone remote control.