TL;DR
VLC’s Android app retains an old-school interface that doesn’t follow Google’s Material You visual trends, but users value its reliability and broad file support. As a FOSS project run by VideoLAN, it avoids ads and heavy monetisation, and can play files stock players often reject by using software decoding.
What happened
VLC’s Android client presents a deliberately utilitarian interface that contrasts with modern Material You design, foregoing contemporary effects like glass morphism and animated controls. Despite its plain, legacy-like appearance, the app is prized for practical playback features: touch gestures for brightness, volume and seeking; broad codec compatibility achieved by software (CPU) decoding; and a consistent cross-platform history dating back to desktop VLC. The article contrasts VLC’s steady, function-first approach with other Android players that have adopted aggressive monetisation—MX Player in particular is cited as increasingly ad-laden. VideoLAN’s stewardship of VLC as a free and open-source project is highlighted as a reason the app has resisted ad-based revenue models and dark-pattern tactics, reinforcing user trust even though the interface can suffer from poor visual contrast around branded colors.
Why it matters
- Function over form: users who prioritize playback reliability and format support may prefer a less polished UI that emphasizes compatibility.
- Codec coverage: apps that rely on software decoding can open files that stock players refuse due to licensed codec restrictions.
- Monetisation trade-offs: ad-driven updates in some competitors can degrade the user experience, making ad-free FOSS projects more attractive.
- Platform longevity: cross-platform familiarity and conservative changes can build trust for long-term media management.
Key facts
- VLC for Android does not adopt Google’s Material You visual style and looks visually dated compared with newer players.
- The app uses CPU/software decoding to handle a wide range of file formats and codecs, which can bypass licensing limitations of stock players.
- VLC offers touch gestures during playback: vertical swipes for brightness and volume, horizontal drags for timeline seeking.
- VideoLAN maintains VLC as a free and open-source project (FOSS), which the article links to its ad-free stance and resistance to monetisation pressures.
- The author argues VLC’s unfussy design helps avoid feature bloat and keeps focus on core playback functionality.
- MX Player is cited as an example of a once-popular player that introduced intrusive ads and monetisation that harmed the user experience.
- A common complaint about VLC’s UI is low visual contrast between its orange-yellow branding and background elements, which can make icons harder to read.
- The article emphasizes that VLC is not the only capable open-source video player on Android, but it remains the author’s default.
What to watch next
- Whether VideoLAN will undertake a substantial visual redesign to align VLC with Material You or other modern Android design languages — not confirmed in the source
- If competing open-source players will gain traction by combining modern UI with strong codec support instead of monetisation — not confirmed in the source
- Any future shifts in how device makers license codecs or how Android handles decoding that could affect third-party player behaviour — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Codec: Software or hardware that encodes and decodes digital media streams so audio and video can be played back or compressed.
- Software decoding (CPU decoding): Decoding media using the device’s processor rather than specialized hardware, which can enable playback of more formats but may use more power.
- Material You: A Google Android design language emphasizing personalized theming, fluid animations, and cohesive visual elements across apps.
- FOSS (Free and Open Source Software): Software whose source code is available for inspection, modification and distribution, often developed by communities rather than commercial firms.
Reader FAQ
Is VLC for Android ad-free?
Yes — the article notes VLC is maintained as a FOSS project by VideoLAN and has avoided ad-driven monetisation.
Why can VLC play files the stock player can’t?
VLC can perform software decoding on the CPU, which lets it handle formats that stock players may not support due to licensed codecs.
Does VLC follow Android’s latest design standards?
No — the app is described as visually outdated and not aligned with Material You or other modern Android UI trends.
Is VLC the only good third-party video player on Android?
Not confirmed in the source.
VLC on Android is ugly, but it's still the only video player I trust Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Android Police By Ben Khalesi Published 27 minutes ago Ben Khalesi covers the…
Sources
- VLC on Android is ugly, but it's still the only video player I trust
- My favorite video player used to be VLC, then I tried Next …
- Is the updated VLC player as good as the outdated version?
- I finally found a media app that's better than VLC
Related posts
- 14 Best Fitness Trackers and Activity Trackers, Tested and Reviewed (2025)
- Windows 11 Outperforms Linux on Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 8 with Arrow Lake H
- Wendy’s drive-thru kiosk halts ordering with on-screen prompt to restart Firefox