Video won't play because Windows is missing a codec? SMPlayer is a free, open-source media player built on the MPV and MPlayer engines that plays almost any format out of the box and remembers where you stopped in every video.
Open a video without adding codecs
SMPlayer uses MPlayer for playback and handles a broad range of video and audio formats without depending on codecs already installed on the computer. MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, MPEG, VOB and 3GP videos play directly, as do MP3, OGG and other audio files. DVD and VCD playback are supported too.
Choose a file to play it in the main player window. When a video includes multiple audio tracks, SMPlayer provides a track changer for DVD, AVI, and MKV files.
Choose subtitle language and appearance
For videos with subtitles, SMPlayer supports SRT, SUB, and SSA files. Select a subtitle language from the interface, then adjust how the subtitles look. Missing subtitles can be searched and downloaded from OpenSubtitles inside the player, and their timing can be shifted if they run early or late.
Adjust playback and picture
Change playback speed when you want to move through a recording more quickly or slow down a section. Picture controls include a video equalizer for brightness, contrast, gamma, and saturation. Image filters provide additional ways to alter the displayed video.
Resume from the saved position
SMPlayer can remember the point where playback stopped and resume from there when you reopen the video. It also keeps the chosen audio track, subtitles and volume for each file, and can play YouTube videos too.
Pros
- Plays nearly every video and audio format without extra codecs
- Supports DVD and VCD playback
- Offers subtitle language selection and appearance controls
- Remembers the playback position
Cons
- Many settings can feel cluttered
- YouTube playback can break after YouTube changes
System requirements: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
Does SMPlayer need separate codecs to play videos?
It plays many common formats without relying on codecs installed separately on the system.
Can SMPlayer play DVDs and VCDs?
Yes. SMPlayer supports both DVD and VCD playback.
Which subtitle formats does SMPlayer support?
It supports SRT, SUB, and SSA subtitles, with language selection and appearance controls.
