Adobe Media Encoder vs VLC Media Player:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, VLC Media Player had more branded searches than Adobe Media Encoder among video conversion software worldwide. VLC Media Player had about 1.2 million branded searches, while Adobe Media Encoder had 18,100. VLC Media Player made up 45.5% of all video conversion software searches we track, and Adobe Media Encoder accounted for 0.68%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about video conversion software, VLC Media Player appeared in three of the five answers and Adobe Media Encoder in none.
Who do people search for more?
VLC Media Player, about 67 searches for every 1 for Adobe Media Encoder
Who does AI mention more?
VLC Media Player, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Adobe Media Encoder in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
VLC Media Player, the only one of the two named
Follow Adobe Media Encoder vs VLC Media Player and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top video conversion software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, VLC Media Player was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Adobe Media Encoder did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
HandBrake5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
FFmpeg5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Shutter Encoder5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- VLC Media Player3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Compressor0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Adobe Media Encoder0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Permute0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about video conversion software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which video conversion tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best video conversion tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best video conversion tool for video files?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“video conversion software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best video converter”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Adobe Media Encoder or VLC Media Player more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Adobe Media Encoder and VLC Media Player by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven video conversion software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for VLC Media Player, Adobe Media Encoder. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | VLC Media Player | Compressor | HandBrake | FFmpeg | Shutter Encoder | Adobe Media Encoder | Permute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.9% | 18.7% | 15.3% | 12.5% | 1.7% | 0.92% | 0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 45.8% | 20.6% | 16.9% | 13.8% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 50.7% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 12.5% | 2% | 0.92% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.5% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 12.9% | 2.1% | 0.95% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 53.8% | 16.1% | 16.1% | 10.8% | 2.2% | 0.97% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.5% | 15.2% | 18.5% | 12.4% | 2.5% | 0.91% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 48.9% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 12% | 2.4% | 0.72% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 50.6% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 12.4% | 2.5% | 0.75% | 0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 45.4% | 20.5% | 16.8% | 13.7% | 2.8% | 0.83% | 0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 47.3% | 17.4% | 17.4% | 14.3% | 2.9% | 0.7% | 0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 47.3% | 17.4% | 17.4% | 14.3% | 2.9% | 0.7% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.5% | 20.5% | 16.8% | 13.7% | 2.8% | 0.68% | <0.01% |
How has the Adobe Media Encoder and VLC Media Player comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- VLC Media Player was ahead of Adobe Media Encoder in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Adobe Media Encoder’s share of searches among video conversion software worldwide moved from 0.92% to 0.68%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 18.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, VLC Media Player’s share of searches among video conversion software worldwide moved from 50.9% to 45.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.5M to 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for video conversion software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, VLC Media Player lost share of searches among video conversion software worldwide, from 47.3% to 45.5%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Adobe Media Encoder worldwide fell 33.2% over 12 measured months, from 27.1K to 18.1K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Adobe Media Encoder’s and VLC Media Player’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Adobe Media Encoder
1 branded search term
- adobe media encoder
VLC Media Player
1 branded search term
- vlc media player
Other head-to-heads among video conversion software
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.