Best Region-free DVD Player Software for Mac & Win

Patrick 17/04/2025

Blu-ray PlayerDVD Ripper

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Do you have a DVD that won’t play and displays a region code error on your computer? Looking for a free DVD player software to play all your DVD collections? This article will introduce the best region-free DVD player software for Mac and Windows OS and solutions to remove DVD region code protection for smooth playback.

Part 1: What are DVD Region Codes?

One common reason some DVDs won’t play on your computer is the DVD region code lockout. The DVD region codes are a digital rights management (DRM) technique designed to allow film distributors to control the release of DVDs in different geographical areas. This helps movie studios stagger releases, set different prices, and manage distribution based on various market factors. Here is a list of the DVD region codes and geographic scope. The region code of your specific disc can be found on its packaging.

Meanwhile, DVD players are manufactured to play DVDs from a specific region under the Regional Playback Control (RPC) system, which applies to your computer’s DVD drive, whether internal or external. When you insert a DVD, the drive reads the region code on the disc and compares it to its own setting. If both codes don’t match, the driver will refuse to play the disc and display a notification that it cannot be played in your region. It is not advisable to frequently change your computer’s DVD drive region, as it can be cumbersome and time-limited; for some models, it cannot be changed at all.

Part 2: How to Remove DVD Region Code Protection?

While region code protection exists for a reason, bypassing it for personal use only is acceptable. One feasible solution is DVD-ripping software. Such tools can copy the content of a DVD and convert it to universal formats that can be played on regular media players. One recommendation is Leawo DVD Ripper.

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• Leawo DVD Ripper

  – Decrypt and rip DVD discs with disc protection and region code
  – Convert DVD to MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, FLV, and other 180+ HD/SD formats
  – Convert DVD main movie to videos for space saving
  – Convert 2D DVD movies to 3D movies with 6 different 3D effects
  – Fast conversion with NVIDIA CUDA, AMD APP and Intel Quick Sync acceleration technologies

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It can bypass region code restrictions and other forms of copy protection and convert the content of DVDs to over 180 output formats, including popular ones like MP4, AVI, and MKV. The output files can be played by all media players and devices. Thanks to the user-friendly interface, you can easily import and convert DVD content for smooth playback. Better yet, you can convert Blu-rays and videos too on this software. It supports both Windows and macOS.

Part 3: Best 5 Region-Free DVD Players

Another simple way is to use a region-free DVD player. Many software supports playing DVDs without region restrictions. They are easy to use. Visit the official website of the DVD player below.? Download the program to your computer according to the OS and install it. Once done, launch the application and insert a disc into the disc drive. In the interface, you will find a button often named Open Disc. Click the button and it will read and play the DVD. Here are the five best free region-free DVD player software available.

Leawo Blu-ray Player

Available on: Windows and macOS

Features:

• Region-free DVD and Blu-ray playback
• User-friendly interface
• Multiple format support

If you are looking for free DVD player software for Mac and Windows to play DVDs without region code restrictions, that is the one. Although Named Leawo Blu-ray Player, this player supports playback of DVDs from all regions, in addition to Blu-rays. It is also capable of playing 4K Blu-ray and media of more than 180 formats, such as MKV, MP4, MOV, AVI, VOB, etc. During movie playback, you can take screenshots and save them in either JPG, PNG, or BMP format. The user-friendly interface allows for easy navigation and playback control. To better your viewing experience, you can adjust subtitles, change the video aspect ratio, and program skins.

• Leawo Free Blu-ray Player

  – Deliver quality-lossless video images at 720p/1080p/1080i/4K in H.264/H.265, MP4, MKV, MOV, etc. formats.
  – Support various audio decoding technologies like Dolby, DTS, AAC, TrueHD, DTS-HD, etc.
  – Personalize settings like selecting subtitles and audio tracks freely.
  – Support fluent and smooth media decoding and playback.

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VLC Media Player

Available on: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Features:

• Multiple format support
• Customizable interface

VLC is a widely used open-source multimedia player. It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, etc. While not explicitly designed as a region-free player, it often bypasses DVD region codes, making it a convenient option for playing DVDs from various areas. The interface is customizable; you can change its skins. Additionally, you can extend its capabilities by using plugins and extensions. To perfect your viewing experience, VLC offers options for fine-tuning audio and video playback, including equalizers, filters, and other effects.

WinX DVD Player

Available on: Windows 10, 7, 8.1, and more (32 & 64 bit)

Features:

• Workout? / Scratched DVD playback
• Dolby 5.1 audio effect

This player supports all-region and copy-protected DVDs and stretched or workout ones. It also supports playback of universal video formats such as AVI, MP4, VOB, WMV, etc. During playback, you can set the playback rate and bypass FBI warning, etc. It also accepts audio files such as MP3, WMA, and AAC. With a superior decoder, it offers playback of lossless video quality and Dolby 5.1 audio effect. One drawback of WinX DVD Player is the interface seems outdated. If your computer operating system is not newer than Windows 10, you can give it a try.

5KPlayer

Available on: Windows and macOS

Features:

• Stream video via AirPlay & DLNA
• Download online videos
• Built-in radio player

5KPlayer is a versatile multimedia player that supports playback of region 1 to 6 DVDs, 4K/1080p/360° videos, and online videos, boasted by hardware acceleration. It is also a music player, where you can enjoy lossless audio files in MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, etc. Better yet, 5KPlayer is an online video audio downloader. It allows you to download videos from Instagram, Facebook, Vevo and the like. One unique feature is a built-in radio player. You can listen to dozens of radio channels online. Another feature worth mentioning is the AirPlay + DLNA wireless stream. It allows you to enjoy the DVD content on your TV for a better viewing experience. One drawback of 5KPlayer is that it keeps closing unexpectedly for no reason.

PowerDVD Player

Available on: Windows 11, 10 (64-bit OS only)

Features:

• Media library
• Multiple format support

There are three versions of PowerDVD players: PowerDVD 365, PowerDVD 23 Ultra, and PowerDVD Standard. The standard one is the cheapest, but the features are limited. That said, it should be enough if you are simply looking for DVD player software that supports region-free DVD playback. Besides, it can play videos in popular formats such as MKV, MOV, and MP4. You can manage the media files and metadata in the library.

Conclusion

This guide offers multiple solutions to play DVDs with region code limitations. Among the five best DVD player software that supports region-free DVD playback, Leawo Blu-ray Player is no question your optimal choice if you don’t want to break the bank. It gives a high-quality watching experience. If you are looking for a versatile one, go for 5KPlayer without asking.