Why is VLC completely free and its creator refuses to make a prrofit from it?

VLC Media Player’s creator, Jean-Baptiste Kempf, rejected billion-dollar offers to keep it free, ad-free, and private. More than just a video player, VLC is a symbol of trust, ethics, and user-first technology.

Post Published By: Karan Sharma

Updated : 18 October 2025, 12:59 AM IST

VLC: A video player that's not just software, it's a trust

New Delhi: Today, if you want to watch videos on a computer or mobile device, the first name that comes to mind is VLC Media Player. It's a tool that can play video files of almost every format without any hassle. But the story behind it is as interesting as it is inspiring.

The developer who turned down an offer worth billions

Jean-Baptiste Kempf, the main developer of VLC, did something few people can do. Several major tech companies offered him billions (millions of dollars) in exchange for adding ads to VLC or selling user data. But he turned them down.

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He clearly stated, "We cannot deceive users." For him, creating software is not a business but a mission—protecting user privacy, integrity and freedom.

How did video player VLC begin?

VLC began as a student project in France in the late 1990s. At that time, it was called VideoLAN Client. Its goal was to create a video player that could play videos of any format smoothly, without crashes or errors.

VLC Still Stays Free, Ad-Free, and Committed to User Privacy

What makes VLC unique?

• It's completely free—no fees, no subscriptions.
• It's ad-free—no distractions while watching videos.
• It's open-source—any developer can improve or customize it.
• It supports almost every type of video/audio file.
• There's no business agenda behind it; the only concern is the user experience.

The purpose is service, not profit

Kempf earns money from his consulting and startups, but he deliberately never made VLC a source of profit. He believes that technology isn't just about making money but also about helping people.

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VLC is not just an app; it's a vision

While most apps and software today make money by selling user data, VLC stands as a clean, reliable, and transparent alternative. This software teaches us how technology can be used for the benefit of humanity—without greed or manipulation.