Systems0 of 12
Video31 of 31
Streams, audio and library17 of 25
Ads and privacy0 of 20
Price12 of 12
media player · Kakao Corp.
PotPlayer
Free Windows video player with built-in decoders, hardware decoding, HDR options and online subtitle search.
In short
- PotPlayer is freeware: the terms grant the right to install and use it for free4.
- Downloads are 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 installers for Windows 7 to 11; no other system is listed1.
- The vendor says you need no separate codecs, and OpenCodec lets you add your own2.
- It decodes video on the graphics card with DXVA, CUDA and QuickSync1.
- The terms say Kakao may collect system details such as operating system, CPU, memory and graphics card type for product support4.
PotPlayer suits Windows users who want a free, setting-rich player that covers hardware decoding, HDR, many subtitle types and streams1,2,3. It is Windows only and the terms bar modifying or reverse engineering it1,4, and its terms let Kakao collect system details, such as CPU and memory type, for product support4. The vendor's pages do not name a media library1,2,3.
Best for: Windows users who want many playback settings in a free player.
Where the points come from
Systems 0 of 12 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Other systems | NoneThe download page lists only Windows 7 to 11 installers: x86, x64 and ARM641. | 0 / 12 |
Video 31 of 31 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Disc playback | YesThe update history lists direct DVD movie playback and Blu-ray fixes; the home page lists DVD among supported devices1,3. | 5 / 5 |
| No codec pack needed | YesThe vendor says there is no need to keep installing different codecs; OpenCodec adds more2. | 6 / 6 |
| Hardware video decoding | YesThe home page says playback uses DXVA, CUDA and QuickSync1. | 7 / 7 |
| HDR playback | YesThe update history lists HDR tone-mapping type selection and a hardware HDR output mode3. | 5 / 5 |
| Subtitle features | External subtitle files, Embedded subtitle tracks, Styled ASS/SSA subtitles, Subtitle search in the playerThe update history lists subtitle files, embedded subtitles, ASS/SSA through libass, and OpenSubtitles search3. | 8 / 8 |
Streams, audio and library 17 of 25 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Network streams | HTTP or HTTPS URLs, HLS, RTSP or RTMPThe update history lists HTTP file playback, HLS/DASH, RTSP and rtmp streams. DLNA is not named3. | 6 / 8 |
| Audio features | Gapless playback, ReplayGain or loudness levelling, Equaliser, Exclusive audio output (WASAPI or ASIO)Update history names gapless playback, an audio normalizer, an equalizer and a built-in WASAPI renderer. Counted by name, not by mode3. | 8 / 8 |
| Media library | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's home page or update history1,3. | 0 / 6 |
| Plugins or add-ons | YesThe update history says an AngelScript-based extension (plug-in) system was added and can be updated3. | 3 / 3 |
Ads and privacy 0 of 20 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Open-source apps | NoThe terms call it freeware, grant only a right to use and bar modifying or reverse engineering it; no source code is offered4,1. | 0 / 8 |
| No ads or bundled offers | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's home page or terms of use1,4. | 0 / 8 |
| States no tracking | NoThe terms say Kakao may collect system details, such as operating system, CPU and memory type, for product support4. | 0 / 4 |
Price 12 of 12 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Price of the player | $0The terms describe the software as freeware that users may install and use for free4. | 12 / 12 |
The rule behind each line: how we score media players.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PotPlayer1 person | Free4 | $0 | Freeware under Kakao's terms of use |
Strengths
- Free to install and use under the vendor's terms4.
- Supports DXVA, CUDA and QuickSync hardware decoding1.
- Update history lists HDR tone-mapping options and SDR to HDR conversion3.
- Opens HLS, DASH, HTTP, RTSP and RTMP streams, and can search and download subtitles online3.
- Has an AngelScript-based extension system3.
Limits
- Downloads are for Windows only1.
- The terms say Kakao may collect system details such as operating system, CPU, memory and graphics card type for product support4.
- The terms bar using it to provide commercial services without Kakao's permission4.
- The vendor's pages do not name a media library or DLNA support1,2,3.
What Kakao Corp. says
Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.
- The vendor says PotPlayer provides maximum performance with minimum resources using DXVA, CUDA and QuickSync1.
Other media players
- 1VLC media playerPeople who want one free player for any file, with no ads86/100$0price of the player
- 2
KodiPeople who want a free, open-source player with a library and add-ons76/100$0price of the player - 3
mpvPeople who want a free, scriptable player and are fine without a built-in library67/100$0price of the player - 55KPlayerPeople who want a free player that also streams to and from Apple and DLNA devices56/100$0price of the player
Sources
- PotPlayer, Kakao Corp.. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
- PotPlayer (English page), Kakao Corp.. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
- Update history: Version History of the PotPlayer, Kakao Corp.. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
- PotPlayer terms of use, Kakao Corp.. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
Website: potplayer.tv · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Kakao Corp..