Raudo
Comparison · Raudo vs VLC
The VLC alternative built for IPTV
VLC opens any video file beautifully. But IPTV is a different job: EPG guide, channel grid, Xtream login, favorites and catch-up. That is where Raudo comes in.
VLC is fantastic, but it was never built for IPTV
Let us be honest: VLC is one of the finest media players ever made. It opens almost any format, it is free, it is light, and it is perfect for playing a single file or quickly testing a link. We are fans, and we are not going to pretend otherwise.
The catch is that VLC was never designed for the IPTV workflow. You can open an M3U playlist and skip channels with the arrow keys, but you notice what is missing almost immediately:
- No EPG guide or program grid
- No channel gallery with logos, search or folders
- No favorites or continue watching
- No catch-up or timeshift to rewind what already aired
- No Xtream Codes login (host, username and password)
Raudo takes that list of gaps and turns it into its whole reason to exist: a native player for Windows 10 and 11 built around IPTV, using the same list you already have.
Head to head
Raudo vs VLC for IPTV
Both play your M3U or your Xtream login. The difference is everything that surrounds playback.
| Raudo | VLC | |
|---|---|---|
| EPG guide (program grid) | ||
| Channel gallery with logos and search | ||
| Xtream Codes login | ||
| Favorites and custom folders | ||
| Catch-up / timeshift | ||
| Record live TV to a file | ||
| Mini-player (picture-in-picture) | ||
| Live playback speed control | 4× | |
| Auto-update |
When VLC is still the perfect choice
We are not here to tell you to uninstall VLC. There are jobs where it is still unbeatable and where Raudo does not even compete:
- Opening a single video or audio file from your disk
- Quickly checking whether a stream link works
- Playing DVDs, Blu-rays or local discs
- One-off file conversion and transcoding
- Cross-platform use on Linux or macOS
Think of it this way: VLC is the Swiss Army knife that opens anything; Raudo is the purpose-built tool for living with your IPTV list day to day, with a guide, favorites and catch-up. Plenty of people keep both installed, and that is perfectly fine.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same M3U list I opened in VLC?
Yes. Raudo uses the same list: paste your M3U/M3U8 URL or load the file, just like in VLC. The difference is that Raudo adds an EPG guide, favorites, catch-up and a channel gallery on top.
Does VLC support Xtream Codes?
Not natively. VLC can open an M3U URL, but it does not understand the Xtream Codes login (host, username and password). Raudo does: you enter your details and it organizes live TV, movies and series for you.
Is Raudo as stable as VLC?
Raudo is built on libmpv, a mature and very solid playback engine with hardware decoding. For IPTV use, playback is smooth and reliable.
Is Raudo free like VLC?
Yes, free now. Later there will be an optional premium tier at around 5 €/year with a 7-day trial, but the player will stay available.
Does Raudo include channels or playlists?
No. Like VLC, Raudo is only the player: you bring your own M3U list or Xtream login. It offers no content and includes none.
Give it a try
Try Raudo with the same list you already use in VLC.
Download for WindowsFree · 64-bit · Windows 10 and 11 · auto-updates