Softwr

Entertainment · head to head

Starz vs VLC

Starz logo

Starz

Entertainment

Premium originals and hit series

From
$6.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VLC logo

VLC

Entertainment

The free and open source media player

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only VLC has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Starz standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing; VLC vLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract
  • They diverge on capability: Starz covers Original series, VLC covers Media playback.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Starz and VLC actually diverge.

Attributes where Starz and VLC differ
AttributeStarzVLC
Starting price$6.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tvWindows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded19941998

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Entertainment).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Starz

  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Exclusive content
  • Downloads
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security
  • Parental controls

Only in VLC

  • Media playback
  • Codec support
  • Conversion
  • Plugins
  • Network streaming
  • DVD playback
  • Open source
  • Regular updates

Both cover

  • Streaming
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Starz

  • Drama streamingnot VLC
  • Original series watchingnot VLC

VLC

  • Media playbacknot Starz
  • Video conversionnot Starz

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Starz

  • Standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing

VLC

  • VLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract

Pricing, plan by plan

Starz

$6.99/month
  • Standard$6.99/month
    • HD
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$12.99/month
    • 4K
    • Ad-free
    • Downloads

VLC

Free
  • FreeFree
    • All codecs
    • No ads
    • Open source

Which should you pick?

Choose Starz if

  • You need original series.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want movies.
Starz review

Choose VLC if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want codec support.
VLC review

Questions people ask

Is Starz or VLC better?
Neither clearly leads. Starz starts at $6.99/month and VLC at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Starz or VLC?
VLC has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $6.99/month for Starz and Free for VLC.
Does Starz or VLC run on more platforms?
Starz runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv. VLC runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use VLC for free?
Yes. VLC has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Starz starts at $6.99/month.
What is Starz best used for?
Starz is most often used for drama streaming, original series watching. Of those, drama streaming and original series watching are not what VLC is typically brought in for.
What can Starz do that VLC cannot?
Starz covers Original series, Movies, Exclusive content, Downloads. VLC covers Media playback, Codec support, Conversion, Plugins. Both handle Streaming, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Starz: What is the current STARZ subscription cost?

STARZ offers a limited-time promotional rate of $4 per month for the first three months. The standard monthly rate after this period is not displayed on the website and appears during signup.

Source
VLC: Is VLC media player free to use?

Yes. VLC is completely free and open source software with no subscription or licensing fees.

Source
Starz: How many devices can stream simultaneously on STARZ?

STARZ subscriptions allow streaming on up to 4 devices at the same time, with unlimited HD streaming and downloads included.

Source
VLC: Can VLC be used commercially?

Yes. VLC explicitly states there is no spyware, no ads, and no user tracking. As open-source software under permissive licenses, commercial use is permitted within each license's specific terms.

Source
VLC: Does VLC include all features across all platforms without additional purchase?

Yes. All playback features, codecs, cross-platform compatibility, and customization options are included with no additional purchases required for full functionality on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Source
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