How Does Awesome Video Player Compare With VLC or Windows Media Player?
Updated
Awesome Video Player (AVPlayer) is built around one capability that VLC and Windows Media Player do not offer in their standard playback flow: watching and controlling up to 16 videos at once on a single screen, without opening multiple player instances. If your main need is playing one file at a time, a conventional player is the simpler choice. If your need is side-by-side or grid playback of several videos with shared controls, AVPlayer is the one designed for that job.
The Core Difference: One Window, Many Videos
AVPlayer's MultiView feature is the main differentiator. The site describes it as a "revolutionary way to watch videos," and frames the alternative as opening several copies of a media player, manually loading each video, and dragging windows into place.
| Dimension | Awesome Video Player | VLC / Windows Media Player (as described on the site) |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous playback | Up to 16 videos on each screen | One video at a time in the normal flow |
| Setup for multiple videos | Built-in MultiView | Multiple instances, manual loading and positioning |
| Per-video controls | Play/pause, fast-forward, rewind, fullscreen, volume, repeat, aspect | Standard single-player controls |
| Keyboard shortcuts | Emphasized as a core feature | Not positioned as a multi-video control method |
| Playlists | Save and reload favorite videos instantly | Playlist support exists, but not for grid playback |
| Decoding | Automatic GPU/CPU decoding, GPU-accelerated to reduce CPU load | Varies by player and settings |
| Format support | Claims to play "all existing video formats" | Broad format support in VLC; Windows Media Player is narrower |
| Price | Stated as 100% free | Free |
The comparison above reflects how AVPlayer's own site positions itself against "old school media players." Treat the format and performance claims as vendor statements rather than independently verified benchmarks.
Where AVPlayer Is the Better Fit
Choose AVPlayer when your task involves monitoring or comparing several videos at the same time. For example, if you need to review multiple clips from a session, keep an eye on several feeds, or compare versions of the same content, MultiView removes the window-juggling step entirely.
Two supporting features matter in that scenario:
- Keyboard shortcuts. The site stresses shortcuts because "your hands will be too busy to move that mouse." In a 16-video grid, per-video mouse control gets impractical fast, so shortcut-driven control is a practical necessity, not a bonus.
- Playlists. Saving and reloading a set of videos means a recurring multi-video layout doesn't have to be rebuilt each time.
Decoding is handled automatically across GPU and CPU, which the site says is intended to let you watch as many videos as possible while keeping CPU usage down. That is the mechanism behind multi-video playback; whether your machine sustains 16 streams depends on your hardware and the files themselves.
Where VLC or Windows Media Player Is the Better Fit
If you mostly watch one video at a time, the multi-video design adds nothing to your workflow. A conventional player keeps the interface simpler, and VLC in particular is a long-established option with broad format support. The AVPlayer site itself frames the choice as a matter of habit: it asks whether you are "still using Windows Media Player or VLC to play your collection of AVs one at a time." If the answer is yes and that suits you, there is no functional gap to close.
Practical Caveats Before You Switch
- Platforms. The site lists Windows and Mac downloads. No other platforms are mentioned.
- Price and ads. The site states the player is "100% Free" with "No Ads, No Spyware." An "Upgrade" link appears in the navigation, and PayPal appears as a payment signal, so a paid tier or upgrade option likely exists alongside the free download. The site does not publish upgrade pricing in the material available, so check the Upgrade page directly if that matters to you.
- Claims to verify yourself. "Plays all existing video formats" and the decoding performance claims are marketing statements. Test with your own files and your own hardware before relying on them for a large multi-video setup.
Bottom Line
The decision comes down to one question: do you need more than one video on screen at the same time? If yes, AVPlayer's MultiView, shortcuts, and playlists are purpose-built for that and VLC or Windows Media Player are not direct substitutes. If no, a standard player remains the more straightforward tool, and AVPlayer's advantages won't apply to how you actually watch.