--- title: CyberLink PowerDVD canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/powerdvd/ category: Media Player Software points: 34 rank: 10 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # CyberLink PowerDVD Paid Windows player for DVD, Blu-ray and video files, sold in tiers from a limited free version to a yearly subscription. 34 points out of 100. #10 of 12 media players. Vendor: CyberLink Corp.. Website: https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdvd-ultra/ - PowerDVD 365 costs $54.99 a year; Standard costs $59.99 once, Pro $79.99 and Ultra $99.99 [2]. - DVD playback is in every edition; Standard has no Blu-ray, which the comparison table lists from Pro up [1][2]. - A free version exists, but premium features unlock for 7 days and then lock [1]. - PowerDVD runs on Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) only; the vendor says there is no Mac version [3]. - The vendor's specifications list hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC and AV1 video and HDR10 playback [4]. Verdict: PowerDVD suits people who want one Windows player for discs, with licensed Dolby and DTS audio [1][2]. The 365 subscription costs $54.99 a year and has the same features as Ultra, including Blu-ray, ISO files and HDR10 [1][2]. The catch: it is paid software, runs only on Windows, and the free version locks its premium features after 7 days [1][3]. Best for: People who still watch DVDs or Blu-ray discs on a Windows PC. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Other systems | None | 0/12 | Vendor says PowerDVD is Windows-only with no Mac version; its iOS and Android PowerPlayer is a separate companion app [3]. | | Video | Disc playback | Yes | 5/5 | 365 has the same features as Ultra; the table lists DVD, Blu-ray and ISO playback [1][2]. | | Video | No codec pack needed | Yes | 6/6 | Vendor says it plays virtually any format; the table lists H.264, MKV, Dolby and DTS decoding; no codec pack mentioned [1][2]. | | Video | Hardware video decoding | Yes | 7/7 | Specifications list hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC and AV1 video on named Intel, NVIDIA and AMD graphics [4]. | | Video | HDR playback | Yes | 5/5 | Comparison table marks HDR10 playback for Ultra and 365; the overview says 365 has Ultra's features [1][2]. | | Video | Subtitle features | Not published | 0/8 | Page lists customized and multiple subtitles only; no file types, embedded tracks or subtitle search are named [2]. | | Streams, audio and library | Network streams | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's comparison page; no HTTP, HLS, RTSP or DLNA support is named [2]. | | Streams, audio and library | Audio features | Equaliser, Exclusive audio output (WASAPI or ASIO) | 4/8 | Comparison table lists an audio equalizer and WASAPI exclusive mode; gapless and ReplayGain are not named [2]. | | Streams, audio and library | Media library | Yes | 6/6 | Comparison table lists a media library for movies and TV shows, with a movie and TV info database [2]. | | Streams, audio and library | Plugins or add-ons | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's overview and comparison pages [1][2]. | | Ads and privacy | Open-source apps | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's overview and comparison pages [1][2]. | | Ads and privacy | No ads or bundled offers | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's overview page; it makes no statement about ads or bundled offers [1]. | | Ads and privacy | States no tracking | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's overview and FAQ pages [1][3]. | | Price | Price of the player | $54.99/yr | 1/12 | PowerDVD 365, $54.99 for 12 months, is the cheapest edition. The free version locks premium features after 7 days [1][2]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free version | Free [1] | $0 | | PowerDVD Standard | $59.99 one-time [1][2] | - | | PowerDVD Pro | $79.99 one-time [2] | - | | PowerDVD Ultra | $99.99 one-time [1][2] | - | | PowerDVD 365 | $54.99/year [1][2] | $4.58 | Ultra is shown at $79.99 against a $99.99 list price on the comparison page; the overview gives a range of $59.99 to $99.99 for the one-time editions. We price 365, the cheapest edition for the first year [1][2]. ## Strengths - Plays DVDs in every edition, Blu-ray discs from Pro up, and DVD and Blu-ray ISO files in Ultra and 365 [1][2]. - Lists licensed Dolby and DTS audio decoding, which the vendor says free players lack [1][2]. - Includes a media library for movies and TV shows, an audio equaliser and WASAPI exclusive mode [2]. - Specifications name hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC and AV1 video and HDR10 playback [4]. ## Limits - Windows only; the vendor says there is no Mac version [3]. - Standard has no Blu-ray, no ISO playback and no HDR10 playback in the comparison table [2]. - The free version keeps its premium features for only 7 days [1]. - The pages read do not name network protocols such as DLNA, or a way to add plugins [1][2]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - CyberLink says free players lack licensed Dolby and DTS audio, which PowerDVD includes [1]. ## Sources 1. [PowerDVD overview](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdvd-ultra/overview_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-09 2. [PowerDVD edition comparison](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdvd-ultra/comparison_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-09 3. [PowerDVD FAQ](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdvd-ultra/faq_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-09 4. [PowerDVD specifications](https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdvd-ultra/spec_en_US.html), CyberLink, accessed 2026-10-09