Best video players without ads for Android in 2026

VLC for Android, from Videolabs, is the broadest local player here. Version 3.7.2 was updated on October 16, 2026, weighs 47.3 MB and is licensed GPL-3.0-only. It plays video and audio files, network streams, network shares and drives, and DVD ISOs, much like the desktop version.

Google Play shows over 500 million installs and a 4 rating. There are no ads and no in-app purchases, which makes it the easiest default for a personal video library. The app asks for storage access so it can read media on SD cards and USB storage.

Jellyfin is the mobile client for the free Jellyfin media server. It does nothing without one, so you need a server already set up and running. Once connected, it streams your own collection to the phone and can cast to a Chromecast device on your network.

The app also plays Live TV and recorded shows from the server, though that needs extra hardware or services. Version 2.7.3 arrived on September 16, 2026. It is free, ad-free, 8.5 MB and licensed GPL-2.0-or-later.

LibreTube is an alternative YouTube front end built around privacy. It needs neither a YouTube account nor Google services on the device. Beyond basic playback it adds SponsorBlock, DeArrow, subscription groups and playlist bookmarks.

You can still subscribe to channels and keep private playlists. Version 32.1 was updated on August 23, 2026. The app is free, shows no ads, takes 8.8 MB and uses the GPL-3.0-or-later licence.

NewPipe avoids Google framework libraries and the YouTube API. It reads the website directly for the information it needs, so it runs on devices that have no Google services. No YouTube account is required.

The app is free, open source under GPL-3.0-or-later, and 11 MB. Version 0.29.1 was updated on August 21, 2026. It carries no ads, and its focus is a light YouTube viewer rather than a general file player.

Lark Player, from Lark Player Studio, is mainly an offline music player that also plays video. It brings themes, an equalizer, lyrics and playlist management. Google Play lists over 500 million installs and a 4.6 rating, and version 2027.1.8 was updated on November 4, 2026.

It does not fit a no-ads list, since the app shows ads and sells in-app purchases. At 30.2 MB it is free to download. Treat it as an option only if music matters more to you than a clean screen.

Litube is a video client with an embedded browser, native playback and built-in downloads. It can skip sponsor segments if you configure it to. Playback controls cover quality, speed, subtitles and audio tracks.

You also get audio-only and background playback, picture-in-picture, a mini-player, local queues and autoplay. Version 3.0.3 was updated on October 22, 2026. It is free, ad-free, 8.4 MB and licensed GPL-3.0-only. The developer is not named in the catalog.

PipePipe builds on the NewPipe idea and lets you browse YouTube, NicoNico and BiliBili. SponsorBlock works for YouTube and BiliBili, and ReturnYouTubeDislike is included. Bullet comments, live chats and search filters are part of the package.

Version 5.5.0 was updated on October 25, 2026. At 31.1 MB it is bigger than NewPipe, but it is free, ad-free and licensed GPL-3.0-or-later. A sleep timer and a music player mode are also listed.

PlayTube is a YouTube client that keeps its footprint to 7.6 MB, the smallest on this page. It has a Fluid Glass interface, background play and picture-in-picture. Video downloads, comments and subtitles are included.

Gesture controls handle volume, brightness and seeking, and a push up or down toggles fullscreen. Version 1.4.3 was updated on September 25, 2026. The app is free, shows no ads and is licensed GPL-3.0-or-later.

SkyTube is an ad-free, open-source YouTube client. It plays and downloads videos, browses channels, searches videos, music and channels, and shows comments. Swipe controls adjust volume and brightness.

Its standout feature is importing subscriptions from YouTube, followed by subscription notifications. Videos can be bookmarked too. Version 3.003 was updated on November 1, 2026, making it one of the most recently refreshed apps here. It is 9.6 MB and licensed GPL-3.0-only.

SkyTube Legacy is the build of SkyTube meant for older devices. It keeps the same core: playing and downloading YouTube videos, channel browsing, search, comments and subscription import. It is ad-free and open source under GPL-3.0-only.

The app is 8.6 MB. Version 2.999 was last updated on May 27, 2026, so it moves more slowly than the main SkyTube build. If your phone is recent, the regular version is the better pick.

Video Player All Format HD plays 4K and 1080p files in formats such as MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, FLV and WMV. It adds popup play in a floating window, background play with the screen off, and speeds from 0.25x to 8x. Google Play lists over 50 million installs and a 4.4 rating.

It does not belong in an ad-free shortlist. The app shows ads and includes in-app purchases. Version 3.0.1 was updated on October 30, 2026. If you want these features without ads, VLC is the cleaner route.

NOVA is an open-source player designed for phones, tablets and Android TV. It reads videos from a computer or server over FTP, SFTP or WebDAV, from a NAS over SMB or UPnP, and from external USB storage. Everything lands in one collection, with posters and descriptions fetched online for movies and TV shows.

Version 6.4.3 was updated on May 24, 2025, the oldest date on this page. Google Play shows over 1 million installs and a 4.2 rating. The app is ad-free, 79.1 MB and licensed Apache-2.0.