FFmpeg vs VLC Media Player:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, VLC Media Player had more branded searches than FFmpeg among video conversion software worldwide. VLC Media Player had about 1.2 million branded searches, while FFmpeg had 368,000. VLC Media Player made up 45.5% of all video conversion software searches we track, and FFmpeg accounted for 13.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about video conversion software, FFmpeg appeared in all five answers and VLC Media Player in three. FFmpeg was mentioned before VLC Media Player in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
VLC Media Player, about 3 searches for every 1 for FFmpeg
Who does AI mention more?
FFmpeg, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
FFmpeg, named ahead of VLC Media Player in 4 of 5 answers
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Top video conversion software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, FFmpeg appeared in all five answers. 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. FFmpeg was listed before VLC Media Player in four out of 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 FFmpeg or VLC Media Player more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for FFmpeg 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, FFmpeg. 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 FFmpeg and VLC Media Player comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- VLC Media Player was ahead of FFmpeg in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, FFmpeg’s share of searches among video conversion software worldwide moved from 12.5% to 13.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 368K.
- 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%.
In September 2026, FFmpeg lost share of searches among video conversion software worldwide, from 14.3% to 13.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using FFmpeg’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.
FFmpeg
1 branded search term
- ffmpeg
VLC Media Player
1 branded search term
- vlc media player
Other head-to-heads among video conversion software
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