Download VLC for Linux
Install VLC Media Player free on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, Mint and more. Get it from your package manager, Flatpak or Snap in a single command.
VLC for Linux
Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Mint and more
Links to VideoLAN's official, verified file
VLC Media Player for Linux
VLC for Linux is the free, open-source media player from the non-profit VideoLAN — and it is a natural fit for Linux, where it is itself free software under the GPLv2-or-later licence. It plays virtually every video and audio format with built-in codecs, so there is nothing extra to configure.
On Linux you normally do not download an installer file. Instead you install VLC through your distribution's package manager, or as a universal Flatpak or Snap package. Each method pulls VLC from a verified, maintained source and keeps it updated alongside the rest of your system.
Install VLC from your distribution's repository
Open a terminal and run the command for your distribution.
| Distribution | Install command |
|---|---|
| Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint | sudo apt install vlc |
| Fedora | sudo dnf install vlc |
| Arch Linux, Manjaro | sudo pacman -S vlc |
| openSUSE | sudo zypper install vlc |
How to install VLC on Ubuntu
The most common route — APT on Ubuntu, Debian or Mint.
- Open a terminal. Press Ctrl+Alt+T, or open the Terminal application from your distribution’s app menu.
- Update your package list. Run sudo apt update so your system fetches the latest package information from its repositories.
- Install VLC. Run sudo apt install vlc, enter your password, and confirm the prompt to install VLC and its dependencies.
- Launch VLC. Open VLC from your applications menu, or simply type vlc in the terminal and press Enter.
Install VLC with Flatpak or Snap
If your distribution's repository ships an older VLC, or it is not packaged at all, the universal options give you the latest release on nearly any system.
Flatpak — install VLC from Flathub:
flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLCSnap — install the VLC snap:
sudo snap install vlcBoth deliver a sandboxed, automatically updated copy of VLC. Use whichever your distribution supports out of the box.
Is VLC for Linux safe?
Yes. Installing VLC from your distribution's official repositories, from Flathub, or from Snap means you receive a verified package maintained by trusted sources — there is no installer file from an unknown website involved. VLC itself is fully open source with no advertising or tracking, so its code can be reviewed by anyone. You can read more about the project at videolan.org.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about installing VLC on Linux.
How do I install VLC on Linux?
On most Linux distributions you install VLC through the package manager rather than downloading a file. On Ubuntu, Debian or Mint run "sudo apt install vlc"; on Fedora run "sudo dnf install vlc"; on Arch run "sudo pacman -S vlc". You can also install the universal Flatpak or Snap package, which works on nearly every distribution.
What is the command to install VLC on Ubuntu?
Open a terminal and run "sudo apt update" followed by "sudo apt install vlc". Enter your password and confirm the prompt. APT downloads VLC and its dependencies from Ubuntu’s official repositories and installs everything. The same commands work on Debian and Linux Mint.
Does VLC work on all Linux distributions?
VLC is available for virtually every active Linux distribution. It is packaged for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, openSUSE, Mint and many others. If your distribution does not carry it directly, the official Flatpak on Flathub or the Snap package provides VLC on almost any modern Linux system.
Should I use the package manager, Flatpak or Snap?
The package manager (apt, dnf, pacman) is the simplest choice and integrates best with your system. Flatpak and Snap deliver the latest VLC release in a sandboxed package and are ideal if your distribution’s repository version is older than you want. All three install the genuine VLC.
Is VLC for Linux safe?
Yes. Installing VLC from your distribution’s official repositories, from Flathub via Flatpak, or from Snap means the package is verified and maintained by trusted sources. VLC itself is open source with no ads or tracking, so its code can be audited by anyone.