Top Hidden Features of GOM Player You Should Know

GOM Player Review: Features, Pros & ConsGOM Player is a long-standing free media player for Windows (with mobile versions available) known for broad codec support, strong subtitle features, and extensive playback customization. This review examines its key features, usability, performance, customization options, privacy considerations, and the main advantages and disadvantages to help you decide whether it fits your needs.

Overview and history

GOM Player (Gretech Online Movie Player) was developed by Gretech Corporation and first released in 2003. Over the years it gained popularity by offering built-in codec support, robust subtitle handling, and a lightweight footprint compared with some alternatives. It exists in both a free ad-supported edition and a paid “GOM Player Plus” tier that removes ads and adds a few enhancements.

Supported platforms and formats

GOM Player is primarily a Windows application (Windows 7 and later). Mobile versions exist for Android and iOS, but the desktop player is where feature depth is greatest.

Format support is one of GOM’s strengths. It can play most common formats out of the box, including:

• AVI, MP4, MKV, FLV, MOV, WMV, MPEG, 3GP
  When encountering uncommon formats, GOM can automatically search for and download the necessary codecs or use its built-in codec finder. It also supports playback of damaged or incomplete files (e.g., partially downloaded videos).

Key features

• Playback and codec management

  • Built-in codecs for many popular formats; automatic codec searching if a file needs a codec.
  • Fast startup and low resource usage for typical playlists.
  • Support for playing incomplete or corrupted video files.

• Subtitle support

  • Strong subtitle handling: multiple subtitle formats (SRT, SUB, SSA/ASS).
  • Manual subtitle positioning, font selection, size, color, and encoding adjustments.
  • Subtitle search and download integration (Find Subtitles online).
  • Advanced subtitle editing/timing adjustments during playback.

• Audio and video controls

  • Customizable audio equalizer and audio effects.
  • Sync audio/video adjustments to fix lip-sync issues.
  • Video capture (screenshot) and frame-by-frame navigation.
  • Playback speed control including slow motion and fast-forward options.

• Playlist, library, and streaming

  • Playlist creation and management with repeat/shuffle modes.
  • Support for streaming protocols (HTTP, RTSP) and online URL playback.
  • Integration with online services for codec/subtitle retrieval.

• Customization and UI

  • Skinnable interface with downloadable skins and visual themes.
  • Keyboard shortcuts and mouse gesture support for quick control.
  • A compact “mini” mode for small screens or overlay playback.

• Advanced features (GOM Player Plus adds some)

  • 360-degree video playback (in some versions).
  • Enhanced performance and hardware acceleration options.
  • No ads and higher-quality support in the paid version.

Usability and interface

The default interface is functional and approachable for most users. Core playback controls are obvious, and advanced options are accessible via menus. New users may need a short exploration to find subtitle/coding settings and advanced filters, but overall the learning curve is modest. The abundance of options can feel overwhelming if you prefer ultra-minimal players.

Performance and stability

GOM Player is generally lightweight and performs well on mid-range hardware. It uses hardware acceleration where available for smoother playback of high-definition content. Stability is good for mainstream file types; occasional crashes or glitches have been reported with very uncommon codecs or corrupted files. The paid GOM Player Plus tends to be slightly more stable and responsive due to optimizations.

Privacy and ads

The free version is ad-supported. Ads appear in the interface and occasionally during usage, which some users find intrusive. The paid GOM Player Plus removes ads.

Regarding privacy, GOM collects some usage data and may access online services for subtitles and codecs; if privacy is a concern, review the privacy policy and disable online features where possible. (Pro: local playback features work without online access for most files.)

Security

Because GOM can automatically fetch codecs and interact with online subtitle/code repositories, exercise standard caution: download the player from the official site, keep it updated, and avoid third-party codec packs from untrusted sources. Built-in codec handling reduces the need for external codec packs, which is safer.

Pros and Cons

Comparison notes (brief)

• Compared with VLC: both support many formats; VLC is fully open-source and ad-free, while GOM offers stronger built-in subtitle tools and some convenience features but includes ads in its free tier.
• Compared with PotPlayer: PotPlayer offers deep customization and performance tuning; GOM is simpler to use and has a friendlier subtitle workflow but fewer advanced filters.

Who is GOM Player best for?

• Users who watch a lot of subtitle-heavy content (fansubbing, foreign films) will appreciate GOM’s subtitle tools.
• People who want broad format support without manually installing codecs.
• Windows users who want a customizable player and don’t mind ads or are willing to pay for the ad-free version.

Recommendations and tips

• If you dislike ads, upgrade to GOM Player Plus or use an alternative like VLC.
• Disable automatic online searches if you prefer maximum privacy.
• Use built-in subtitle search/download for convenience, but review downloaded subtitle files before use.
• Keep the player updated to minimize compatibility and security issues.

Conclusion

GOM Player remains a strong choice for Windows users who value subtitle capabilities, built-in codec support, and customization. Its ad-supported free version and some privacy concerns may push privacy-conscious or minimal-interface users toward alternatives like VLC, but for many users GOM’s convenience and feature set make it a compelling media player.