Last Updated on April 16, 2022
Corel Corporation is a Canadian software company specializing in graphics processing. They are best known for developing CorelDRAW, a vector graphics editor. They are also notable for purchasing and developing AfterShot Pro, PaintShop Pro, Painter, Video Studio, MindManager, and WordPerfect.
Corel has dabbled with Linux over the years. For example they produced Corel Linux, a Debian-based distribution which bundled Corel WordPerfect Office for Linux. While Corel effectively abandoned its Linux business in 2001 they are not completely Linux-phobic. For example, AfterShot Pro has an up to date Linux version albeit its proprietary software.
This series looks at the best free and open source alternatives to products offered by Corel.
Corel WinDVD Pro allows you to play DVDs and Blu-rays. The player can also be used to play videos and audio/music files in other formats encoded with different codecs.
What are the best free and open source alternatives?
1. VLC
VLC is a great open source choice for watching video. It’s much more flexible than many other media players, and supports all types of formats and versions at large. There is almost nothing video (or music) related that VLC doesn’t do well, although it’s still missing gapless playback for music.
2. mpv
mpv is a media player for the command line. It supports a wide variety of media file formats, audio and video codecs, and subtitle types.
mpv has an OpenGL, Vulkan, and D3D11 based video output that is capable of many features loved by videophiles, such as video scaling with popular high quality algorithms, color management, frame timing, interpolation, HDR, and more.
3. QMPlay2
QMPlay2 can play most video formats and audio formats. It plays all codecs supported by FFmpeg, and supports YouTube videos too. With internet radio, Audio CD, and a lot more besides, there’s lots of functionality on offer.
It’s competent in all areas although the absence of gapless playback renders it an inadequate music player for our requirements.
All articles in this series:
| Alternatives to Corel's Products | |
|---|---|
 | AfterShot Pro is raw image processing software offering simple photo management, good workflow, and batch processing. |
 | CorelCAD is a computer-aided design application for 2D and 3D design which supports a variety of graphic formats including DWG, DXG, CDR, SHP, and others. |
 | CorelDRAW is vector-based designing software used to create logos, flexes, brochures, invitation cards, and any kind of vector designing. |
 | DVD Copy is simple-to-use software which allows you to copy DVDs, convert HD video, output to mobile devices, and more. |
 | MindManager is mind mapping software application. MindManager can be used to manage projects, organize information, and for brainstorming. |
 | MotionStudio 3D is a 3D titling, motion graphics and effects-in one complete package. Generate 3D graphics, titles and animated text |
 | Painter is a raster-based digital art software which is used for canvas painting and offers photo-art tools. Sketch, paint, and illustrate. |
 | PaintShop Pro is a raster and vector graphics editor. It features an interface for automating tasks with scripts written in Python. |
 | PDF Document Writer lets users convert documents, emails, images and other file types into a PDF for viewing and sharing. |
 | Pinnacle Studio is a full-featured, near-pro-level video editing application without a steep learning curve. |
 | VideoStudio MyDVD is DVD authoring software. Make your menus more meaningful and use the powerful tools within VideoStudio MyDVD. |
 | VideoStudio Pro is a video editing software package that offers both storyboard and timeline-oriented editing. |
| WinDVD Pro allows you to play DVDs and Blu-rays. The player can also be used to play videos and audio/music files in other formats. |
 | WinZip is a file archiver and compressor with tools for system integration. The software also bundles an image manager and backup functionality. |
 | WordPerfect Office is an all-in-one office suite and word processing software. Document, spreadsheet, and presentation applications. |