Explore Best HEVC Players for Different Devices

Part 1. Top 3 Best HEVC Player for Windows 11/10

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) files demand robust players for smooth playback on Windows 11/10. Below, we review the top three free HEVC video players for PC, highlighting their features, pros, cons, and user ratings. These players (VLC Media Player, PotPlayer, and MPV Player) are optimized for HEVC codec support, ensuring compatibility and performance.

1. VLC Media Player for HEVC (Free, Also Available on macOS/Linux/Android/iOS)

• Pros: Free, supports HEVC codec, customizable, cross-platform.

• Cons: Occasional lag on 4K HEVC if hardware decoding isn’t enabled.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

  

VLC is one of the most popular and versatile HEVC video players for PC. It’s open-source, lightweight, and supports almost any video format without additional codecs. VLC delivers smooth 4K video playback, handles HDR and SDR content, and offers flexible controls like speed adjustment, subtitle management, and audio track switching.

2. Daum PotPlayer (Free)

• Pros: Excellent HEVC support, minimal CPU usage, customizable settings.

• Cons: Windows-only, interface may feel overwhelming to beginners.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5)

  

PotPlayer offers the best quality and customization options for Windows power users. PotPlayer is optimized for HEVC playback, providing minimal lag or stuttering even with large 4K files. This Korean-developed player supports HDR and SDR content with flexible playback controls, including speed adjustment, audio track switching, and subtitle management.

3. MPV Player (Free)

• Pros: Lightweight, supports HEVC and HDR, high-quality playback.

• Cons: Basic interface, fewer built-in features than VLC or PotPlayer.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)

  

✍ How to Play HEVC Files on Windows 11/10

Follow these steps to play HEVC smoothly:

• Download and install a HEVC video player for PC (e.g., VLC, PotPlayer, or MPV).

• Launch the media player. Open your HEVC file by dragging it into the player or selecting "File" or “Media” > "Open File".

  

• If playback lags, enable hardware acceleration in the player’s settings. (e.g., VLC: "Tools" > "Preferences" > "Input/Codecs" > "Hardware-accelerated decoding").

  

• (For VLC users) Ensure the HEVC codec for VLC Media Player is installed or updated.

• By using the right HEVC media player, you can enjoy UHD, 4K, and even 8K videos without compatibility issues.

Note:

Install HEVC codec if needed. For VLC, the HEVC codec is built-in. For Windows Media Player, install the HEVC Video Extension from the Microsoft Store.

Part 2. Top 3 Best HEVC Video Player for Mac/iPhone

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) delivers stunning video quality with efficient compression, making it ideal for Mac and iPhone users. Below are the top HEVC players for macOS and iOS. Apart from the above-mentioned VLC media player, QuickTime, IINA, and Infuse Pro are also included.

1. QuickTime with HEVC Codec (Free)

• Pros: Built-in, free, optimized for Apple hardware.

• Cons: Limited format support beyond HEVC and MP4.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)

  

Apple’s QuickTime player supports HEVC natively on macOS High Sierra and later. It provides smooth playback and integrates seamlessly with iOS/macOS ecosystems. Generally, it excels at playing HEVC content from iPhones and modern Apple devices and providing excellent performance with Apple's native HVC1 codec.

2. IINA Player (Free)

• Pros: Open-source, customizable, touch bar support, modern design.

• Cons: Less user-friendly for beginners than VLC.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5)

  

IINA is a modern HEVC player for Mac, built on MPV’s engine. It supports HEVC playback with a sleek macOS-inspired interface. It’s ideal for users seeking a lightweight, native-feeling experience.

IINA handles almost all media formats including HEVC with hardware acceleration, while providing an intuitive interface that feels natural on Mac. The player supports advanced features like timeline thumbnails, gesture controls, and JavaScript plugin extensibility.

3. Infuse Pro (for iPhone/iPad only)

• Pros: Excellent HEVC optimization, iCloud sync, subtitles support.

• Cons: Paid version required for advanced features.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

  

Infuse Pro is a premium HEVC player for iPhone and iPad, offering robust support for HEVC/Dolby Vision/AirPlay and a polished user experience. It’s perfect for iOS users who want a feature-rich video player.

This paid app excels at playing 4K HEVC content with HDR and Dolby Vision support, while providing seamless integration with cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Infuse Pro features automatic metadata fetching, Trakt sync, and advanced subtitle support.

✍ Steps to Play HEVC Files on Mac/iPhone:

• Download a HEVC player for Mac (VLC, QuickTime, or IINA) or Infuse Pro for iPhone.

• Open the player and import your HEVC file.

• Adjust playback settings for smooth 4K or HDR playback.

• (Optional) Enable hardware decoding for best performance.

People Also Read:

[Tutorial] How to Upscale Videos to 4K Without Losing Quality?

Part 3. Top 2 Best HEVC Player Free for Android

On top of VLC Media Player, the following options are also suitable for playing HEVC video files on Android.

1. MX Player (In-app Purchases)

• Pros: Supports 10-bit HEVC, hardware acceleration, subtitle support.

• Cons: Ads in the free version, advanced features locked behind paywall.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

  

MX Player is a popular Android HEVC player with multi-core decoding and subtitle support. It handles HEVC and 10-bit HEVC formats smoothly. MX Player excels in subtitle customization, gesture controls, and multi-core decoding optimization.

While the base app is free, it includes ads that can be removed through MX Player Pro subscription.

People Also Read:

Ultimate Guide to XVID Video Codec for MX Player: Free Download & Setup for Windows

2. XPlayer - Free HEVC Player

• Pros: Free, private folder for videos, smooth HEVC playback.

• Cons: Contains ads, premium upgrade needed for ad-free experience.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)

  

XPlayer is a powerful Android HEVC player known for 4K, 10-bit HEVC, and subtitle support. XPlayer features picture-in-picture mode for multitasking, customizable playback controls, and support for various subtitle formats.

✍ Steps to Play HEVC Files on Android:

• Install your preferred Android HEVC player (MX Player, VLC, or XPlayer).

• Open the app and grant storage permissions.

• Locate and select your HEVC video file.

• Enable hardware acceleration in settings for 10-bit HEVC playback.

Part 4. Best HEVC Player Online

For users who prefer browser-based solutions, online HEVC players offer convenience without requiring software installation. CloudPlayer stands out as a reliable option for streaming HEVC files.

1. CloudPlayer

• Pros: No local storage required, plays HEVC online, works on all devices.

• Cons: Requires stable internet, limited free storage.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)

  

CloudPlayer represents the evolution of browser-based video playback, offering HEVC support directly through modern web browsers using WebAssembly technology. This online player eliminates the need for software installation while providing decent H.265 playback performance for files up to 1080p resolution.

CloudPlayer works best with Chrome and Firefox browsers that support hardware acceleration APIs. The service provides basic playback controls and subtitle support, making it suitable for quick HEVC file viewing without downloading dedicated applications.

✍ Steps to Play HEVC Files Online:

• Upload your HEVC file to supported cloud storage.

• Log in to CloudPlayer on your device.

• Select your HEVC file and press play.

• Adjust streaming quality if buffering occurs.

Part 5. Top 2 Best HEVC Players for Smart TVs

Smart TVs require dedicated HEVC players to handle high-quality video files. Plex Media Player and KODI are top choices for seamless HEVC playback on Smart TVs, offering robust media management and streaming.

1. Plex Media Player

• Pros: HEVC support, media organization, multi-device streaming.

• Cons: Requires setup, premium features behind subscription.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.6/5)

  

Plex is one of the best HEVC media players for Smart TVs, organizing and streaming HEVC content across devices. While Plex supports HEVC playback on compatible Smart TV models, it often transcodes H.265 content to ensure compatibility across different devices. The player excels in remote streaming capabilities, allowing access to your media library from anywhere with internet connection.

2. KODI

• Pros: Free, supports 4K HEVC, endless customization with add-ons.

• Cons: Interface may overwhelm new users.

• Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5)

  

KODI, through its powerful FFmpeg-based playback engine, is a free, open-source HEVC player for Smart TVs. It supports HEVC, add-ons, and full customization. Kodi's strength lies in its ability to handle various HEVC containers and codecs without transcoding, ensuring maximum quality preservation.

✍ Steps to Play HEVC Files on Smart TVs:

• Install Plex or KODI on your Smart TV.

• Add your HEVC video files to the media library.

• Open the library and select the HEVC file to play.

• Enable hardware decoding for smoother playback on 4K/8K content.

More Tip: What To Do If HEVC Not Playing [Video Error Fix]

If you can't play HEVC files in VLC and the other options, don’t worry. Here are effective solutions to fix HEVC video not playing properly and ensure seamless playback with players that support HEVC.

Fix 1. Download and Install HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft Store

For Windows users, the HEVC Video Extension from the Microsoft Store adds native HEVC codec support to Windows Media Player and other apps. Install it, restart your player, and try playing the HEVC file again.

Fix 2. Fix Corrupted HEVC Video Files Using Powerful Video Repair Software

When codec installation doesn't resolve playback issues, the problem might lie with corrupted or damaged HEVC files themselves. Video corruption can occur during download, transfer, or storage, resulting in files that won't play properly even in compatible players.

4DDiG Video Repair emerges as a comprehensive solution for fixing corrupted HEVC videos. This powerful video repair software supports:

• Multiple video formats: HEVC/H.265, H.264, AVI, MOV, MP4, M4V, 3GP, and more
• Advanced repair algorithms: Fixes various corruption issues including header damage, audio and video sync problems, and codec errors
• Batch processing: Repair multiple HEVC files simultaneously to save time
• Preview functionality: Check repaired videos before saving to ensure quality
• High success rate: Utilizes advanced scanning technology to recover even severely damaged files
• User-friendly interface: Simple three-step process suitable for both beginners and professionals

The software analyzes corrupted HEVC files at the structural level, identifying and repairing damaged segments while preserving original video quality. Whether dealing with incomplete downloads, transfer errors, or storage corruption, 4DDiG Video Repair provides reliable solutions for restoring your valuable HEVC content.

Steps to Fix Corrupted HEVC Using 4DDiG Video Repair:

• Install and fire up the 4DDiG File Repair executable. Then choose the left “Video Repair” tab and click “Add Videos” to import multiple corrupted and unplayable HEVC videos.

  

• Upon importing, kick off the HEVC file repair process by hitting the “Repair All” button at the bottom right. If the video is heavily damaged, turn on the bottom “Advanced Repair Mode”.

  

• When the batch repair process is finished, tap on the “Preview” tab to play the repaired videos and check the result.

  

• If content with the repair effect, click “Save” or “Save All” to export and download those HEVC videos for streaming properly on media players.

  

Fix 3. Download K-Lite Codec Pack for Players

The K-Lite Codec Pack provides comprehensive codec support, including HEVC, for players like MPC-HC or Windows Media Player. Install the pack, configure it for your player, and resolve playback issues caused by missing codecs.

People Also Ask about HEVC Video Player

Q1: Does VLC play HEVC?

Does VLC media player support HEVC? The answer is Yes. VLC Media Player supports HEVC (H.265) natively in most cases. Ensure you’re using the latest version (3.0 or higher) for optimal performance. For 10-bit HEVC files, enable hardware acceleration in VLC settings to avoid lag.

Q2: Can I play HEVC codec for Windows Media Player?

Windows Media Player requires the HEVC Video Extension from the Microsoft Store to play HEVC files. Install the extension, then open your HEVC file with Windows Media Player for smooth playback.

Q3: Can iPhone play HEVC videos?

Yes, iPhones (iOS 11 and later) natively support HEVC playback via the default Photos or Videos app. For third-party players, VLC for Mobile is a reliable option for HEVC videos on iPhone.

Q4: Can PS4 play HEVC?

The PS4 supports HEVC playback for certain resolutions (up to 1080p). However, for 4K HEVC files, you may encounter compatibility issues. Use a media server like Plex or convert files to a PS4-compatible format (e.g., H.264).

Q5: GoPro player HEVC decoder missing? How to fix?

If the GoPro Player reports a missing HEVC decoder, install the HEVC Video Extension from the Microsoft Store for Windows users. Alternatively, use VLC or MPV, which include built-in HEVC support. Update your GPU drivers for hardware decoding.

People Also Read:

How to Fix GoPro Videos Not Playing on PC [2025]

Q6: How to play HEVC on Mac?

Macs (macOS High Sierra 10.13 and later) natively support HEVC via QuickTime Player. For enhanced features, use VLC or IINA, both free HEVC players for Mac. Ensure your Mac’s GPU supports HEVC hardware decoding for optimal performance.

Conclusion

Choosing the right HEVC player ensures smooth playback of high-quality videos across Windows, Android, Linux, iPhone, and Mac. From VLC’s versatility to Plex’s Smart TV compatibility, these players deliver reliable HEVC support. If you face issues like HEVC not playing, tools like 4DDiG Video Repair can restore corrupted files for seamless viewing. Explore our top picks to find the best HEVC player for your device and enjoy stunning video quality effortlessly.