Gone are those days when only physical Blu-ray players were the only way to watch Blu-ray discs. Today, tons of software exist to help you enjoy high-definition visuals and immersive audio offered by Blu-ray. Thus, you don’t need to go anywhere to look for portable players for your discs. Before you make a decision or install any Blu-ray disc player software, it is vital to get to know them first. Here, we’ll review them one by one, highlighting their features, pros, cons, and so on.
In the past, in order to play Blu-ray discs, a dedicated Blu-ray player was a requirement. It is because these discs offer superior audio and video compared to standard DVDs. While these traditional Blu-ray players are effective, they come with certain limitations. These dedicated devices can be expensive to purchase and maintain. Moreover, they are fixed to a specific location. And so, it restricts the flexibility of your movie-watching experience.
Now, with the rise of powerful PCs, software alternatives have come out as well. Their emergence offers a convenient and versatile solution for Blu-ray playback. By using software, you transform your computer or laptop into a virtual Blu-ray player. And so there’s a need for you to have a Blu-ray software player because it is cost-effective and convenient.
When we review the 7 Blu-ray media player software, we take a look at several vital things. We check how quickly the software loads the same Blu-ray disc and makes content accessible to users. Most of the tools listed are standalone. Thus, they do not need an internet connection to load discs. Yet, some really took time to get the disc ready. Another crucial consideration is the picture quality that the tool provides. We checked how the Blu-ray videos look clear and sharp. But still, the quality depends on the resolution support of each tool.
What’s more, we also pay attention to how smoothly the movies play. It is vital to ensure there are no interruptions or other problems. It is also essential to know if these tools can play different types of videos, not just Blu-ray. Hence, we checked if there are other media files that the tools support. By checking all these things, we want to help you figure out which Blu-ray player tool is best for you. Not only that, we want to assist you in satisfying your movie-watching preferences.
Now, below are the 3 best tools that we highly recommend:
If we talk about supported input formats and platform compatibility, AnyMP4 Blu-ray player is our best pick. It offers tons of media formats, apart from physical discs like Blu-ray and DVDs. Not only that, it is downloadable on both Mac and Windows computers, allowing you to play any files without restrictions. More importantly, it supports 1080p up to 4K resolution for Blu-ray playback. Finally, it values the quality of your loaded files/discs.
PowerDVD also earns a spot from our top pick due to its premium Blu-ray playback capabilities. These include support for 4K UHD and TrueTheater enhancements. Plus, it offers a superior cinematic experience that you can enjoy in the comfort of your home.
Macgo Blu-ray Player secures its place among our best picks. The main reason is because it is a dedicated Mac software. It provides convenience and reliability, especially for Mac users. In addition, it delivers 1080p and 4K UHD, which is really commendable.
| Software | Platform | Price | Supported Resolution | Supported Formats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blu-ray Player | Windows, Mac | $15.60 | 1080p and 4K UHD | Blu-ray, DVD, CD, HD video (MP4, MKV, AVI, etc.) |
| Free Blu-ray Player | Windows, Mac | Free | 1080p HD | Blu-ray, DVD, CD, and common video formats (MP4, WMV, etc.) |
| PowerDVD | Windows | $99.99 | 4K Ultra HD and 8K | Blu-ray, DVD, CD, 3D and 360-degree video |
| WinX DVD Player | Windows | Free | 4K Ultra HD and 8K | Blu-ray, DVD, common video formats (MP4, AVI, etc.) |
| VLC Media Player | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free | SD, HD, and 4K | Blu-ray with additional configuration, DVD, CD, various video formats (MP4, MKV, AVI, etc.) |
| Aurora Blu-ray Player | Windows, Mac | $49.95 | 1080p and 4K | Blu-ray, DVD, CD, common video formats (MP4, MKV, AVI, etc.) |
| Macgo Blu-ray Player | Mac | Starts at $39.95 | 1080p and 4K | Blu-ray (BD), DVD, CD, common video formats (MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.) |
The first computer Blu-ray software we’d like to introduce is AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player. It is one of the best Blu-ray player tools that you can find because of its capabilities. With it, you can play Blu-ray, DVD, and other videos. It supports media files, such as MP4, MKV, MTS, RS MOV, and so on. It also offers super high quality, even for audio files. One excellent thing about it is that you can select any title or chapter during Blu-ray playback. Not only that, it allowed us to choose subtitles and audio tracks. Its playback controls will allow you to pause, stop, fast forward, or backward into your playback.
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If you want a free tool to play your Blu-ray discs, Free Blu-ray Player from Blu-ray Master will help you. It can be your good companion if you simply want a basic solution for Blu-ray playback. The software is also very easy to install on your computer. With just a few clicks, we’ve got to enjoy playing our Blu-ray disc. Although it is free, it still offers high-quality playback and sound. Not only that, we found out that it can also play many popular video formats as well. That’s why it’s our second-best Blu-ray player software for Windows 11, 10, and Mac choice in this list.
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Another popular option that offers playback for Blu-ray discs is the PowerDVD. If you want a premium Blu-ray experience, this one's for you. This player boats flawless playback of both 4K and standard Blu-ray discs, which we find commendable. It also lets you have full control over your viewing experience. But note that this tool is for Windows OS only.
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WinX DVD Player primarily focuses on DVD playback. Yet, it also boasts competent Blu-ray playback capabilities. One thing that we like about this tool is its search function with filters. Thanks to it, it is easy to navigate the content libraries. Yet, note that this player does not support 8K Ultra-HD like PowerDVD.
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One more Blu-ray player you should not miss is the VLC Media Player. It is known for its versatility, which allows you to play Blu-ray discs. But here’s a catch, VLC lacks native support for Blu-ray. Thus, you must install additional software or plugins. But still, it’s an ideal option if you want a free tool and are willing to spend time on the additional configuration.
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Aurora Blu-ray Player is designed to be a user-friendly tool. As for its Blu-ray playback, it provides a smooth and high-quality experience. It supports various disc formats, including 4K Blu-ray. It provides a seamless experience for users on both Mac and Windows. One drawback that we identified is that it lacks advanced settings, like 3D playback.
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Macgo Blu-ray Player is a tailored Macbook Blu-ray player software. It can also deliver smooth playback for Blu-ray discs, even in 4K UHD. What’s more, we found some essential features, like bookmarking and menu navigation. Thus, it can be your basic yet reliable Blu-ray playback solution for your Mac.
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Does the VLC player play Blu-ray?
Unfortunately, no. VLC player does not natively support Blu-ray playback. Additional software or plugins may be required for Blu-ray functionality.
How can I play Blu-ray discs on my computer?
You can use specialized Blu-ray player software like the tools mentioned above. But before that, ensure your computer has a Blu-ray drive. Using AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player software, click the Open Disc button. Wait until the tool loads the disc for a few seconds. Then, your Blu-ray will play immediately.
Are Blu-rays being phased out?
Not necessarily. However, Blu-rays' popularity has decreased with the rise of streaming services. Yet, Blu-ray discs still offer advantages like higher video and audio quality. Aside from that, there are bonus features and physical ownership of the media.
What is Blu-ray software?
Blu-ray software refers to applications designed to play Blu-ray discs on computers. These programs often provide additional features. These include HD support, customizable playback settings, and library management.
To wrap it up, that’s our comprehensive review of the top 7 Blu-ray player software. Now, you will no longer have to buy a physical or portable player to enjoy Blu-ray discs. If the loading process and quality are essential for you, we recommend 2 tools you can use. The first one is the Free Blu-ray Player, and the other one is AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player. These tools also ensure that whether you’re a pro or beginner, you’ll enjoy using it.
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