Verdict
Choose VLC for Unity for serious video workflows
VLC for Unity is the stronger default for RTSP/IP cameras, unpredictable codecs, Linux, casting, and 360 video with spatial audio. AVPro mainly wins when you specifically need tvOS or visionOS today, or your purchase must go through the Unity Asset Store.
The short version
Both are mature Unity video plugins, but they are not equivalent. If your Unity project depends on video as a core feature rather than simple MP4 playback, VLC for Unity is usually the better technical choice because it brings the VLC media engine into Unity instead of relying only on what each operating system decoder happens to support.
The decision usually comes down to a few specific needs:
- Choose VLC for Unity if you need RTSP/IP camera streaming, broad codec coverage, 360 video with spatial audio, casting, network browsing, or Linux support.
- Choose AVPro Video if you need tvOS or visionOS today (Vision Pro requires AVPro Ultra or Enterprise), prefer a one-time purchase, or buy exclusively through the Unity Asset Store.
For most demanding video projects, those differences favor VLC for Unity. For the wider field (including HISPlayer and Unity’s built-in player), see the full Unity video plugin comparison.
Feature comparison
| VLC for Unity | AVPro Video | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | VLC / LibVLC media engine | OS-native decoders |
| Files, URLs, HLS, DASH | Yes | Yes |
| Codecs | 200+ (built-in) | Varies by OS |
| RTSP / IP cameras | Native | Not a primary documented workflow |
| 360 video + spatial audio | Included | 360 supported; spatial 360 audio in Ultra ($900) |
| Casting (Chromecast/DLNA) | Yes | No |
| Network browsing (SMB/FTP/NFS) | Yes | No |
| Linux | Yes | No |
| tvOS / visionOS | In development | Yes (Vision Pro in Ultra/Enterprise) |
| Open source | Yes (LGPL) | No |
| Pricing | $700/year, all platforms | $250–$900 one-time |
| Distribution | videolabs.io | Unity Asset Store |
Why VLC for Unity is stronger
- Playback sources. Local files, HTTP URLs, HLS, DASH, native RTSP, MPEG-TS, SRT and more, inherited from the VLC engine. RTSP is the practical gap with AVPro for anyone doing IP cameras, live feeds, or broadcast. See playing RTSP in Unity.
- Codec coverage. 200+ formats built in (HEVC, AV1, VP9, MKV, MPEG-TS and the long tail), rather than depending on what each OS happens to decode. See codec support in Unity.
- 360 and spatial audio included. AVPro supports VR/360 playback, but lists spatial 360 audio as an Ultra feature; VLC for Unity includes Ambisonics support in the standard license. See 360/VR video in Unity.
- Casting and network browsing. Chromecast/DLNA output and SMB/FTP/NFS browsing, which AVPro does not offer.
- Linux. Fully supported, which matters for kiosk, signage, embedded, and simulation deployments. AVPro does not support Linux.
Put simply: AVPro is a polished video component, but VLC for Unity is a full media engine. That matters as soon as your users, cameras, encoders, or deployment targets stop being predictable.
Where AVPro Video still makes sense
AVPro is still a reasonable pick for a narrower set of projects:
- tvOS and visionOS today. If you ship to Apple TV or Vision Pro right now, AVPro covers them (Vision Pro in Ultra/Enterprise); VLC for Unity has these in development.
- One-time pricing. A single $250–$900 purchase suits projects that ship once and do not need ongoing updates. (Note: major version upgrades are paid separately.)
- Unity Asset Store. If your studio’s procurement is locked to the Asset Store, AVPro is there; VLC for Unity is sold direct from videolabs.io.
If those constraints do not apply, VLC for Unity gives you more capability in one package.
Pricing, honestly
AVPro has the lower upfront number. VLC for Unity’s $700/year includes every platform, every feature, and continuous updates in one price, with commercial support. The right comparison is not sticker price but total fit:
- Single platform, ship-once, simple MP4 playback: AVPro can be cheaper and sufficient.
- Multi-platform product, streaming/codecs/360, ongoing updates and support: VLC for Unity is the stronger choice on value and capability.
Switching from AVPro
The migration is mostly swapping your playback layer: replace AVPro’s MediaPlayer component
with VLC for Unity’s MediaPlayer, point it at your source (file, RTSP, HLS, or anything VLC
reads), and render its output texture to the same material or UI element you already use. The
rest of your scene stays the same.
Try it on your own content
The fastest way to validate the difference is to test VLC for Unity with your hardest media, streams, and target platforms first. If it handles those, the rest of your playback cases are usually straightforward.