When comparing VLC vs Andy, the Slant community recommends VLC for most people. In the question“What are the best power user tools for Windows?” VLC is ranked 11th while Andy is ranked 70th. The most important reason people chose VLC is:
VLC is licensed under the CC-SA v3.0+ and available on Windows, OSX, and Linux with source code available [here](http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-sources.html).
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Free, open source, and cross-platform
VLC is licensed under the CC-SA v3.0+ and available on Windows, OSX, and Linux with source code available here.
Pro Simple to setup and use
VLC is an incredibly robust application but very simple on the surface. It makes playing music simple, yet still manages to give the user all the tools he/she wants in a music player.
Pro Very versatile and easy to use
Pro Doesn't require additional codecs
Everything VLC needs to play media files is contained within which means no outside codecs are needed. This makes it one of the most hassle-free music players as it can play virtually anything as soon as it's installed.
Pro Tons of advanced settings
Besides basic configurations, video player has an extensive amount of adjustable settings.
Pro Doesn't manage your music library for you
You organize your music into folders any way you want. Want to play an album? Drag and drop. No tags, no confusion, no fluff. Easy.
Pro Can be almost completely keyboard-driven
VLC includes keyboard shortcuts for most actions. The video player can be controlled with simple and customizable keyboard commands.
Pro Surprisingly Lightest on Resources
Yes. Lightest. Even better than the ones known to be light. Both when playing music, only a single song or when playing a video. Either in terms of Ram and Cpu. Compared with almost all, including the ones from Windows like mpc-hc .. or light ones from Linux like Alsa Player, Audacious, SmPlayer .
Pro Can play every format video available (as of 2017)
Pro Supports a GUI interface and an ncurses terminal interface
Pro Can easily stream music across your home network from any device on the network
Using sftp/ssh music (and videos) can be streamed from any server on the network to any device running VLC. VLC can also be used as a webcam for streaming and snapshots. Amazing all in one package
Pro Large amount of extensions
VLC has a large amount of extensions.
Pro Can be rooted
To root Andy download this rootkit, extract the archive and run AndyRootkit30.exe. It comes with frequently installed root applications that can be installed in the process and also allows unrooting Andy.
Pro Easy to get started
As long as virtualization is enabled in BIOS, the setup is straightforward. Simply download, install, run. First time the software runs it will ask to either log in with a Google account or create one allowing it to download software directly from the Play Store.
Pro The virtual machine Andy runs in is highly customizable
With some tinkering, Andy can be set up to run with up to 3GB of RAM, the current Android 32bit RAM limit. It allows for a smooth experience and offers enough power to have multiple apps running simultaneously. The VM can even add more virtual CPU cores to Andy, doubling it's processing power or more.
Pro Use of Genymotion VHD allows Andy to be very fast
Andy is built on top of the powerful Genymotion VHD. It takes advantage of OpenGL capable graphics cards allowing it to be one of the fastest Android emulators.
Pro Allows installing third-party launchers
Andy comes with a custom clever implementation of ADW. It is theme-able, while functions very well without any modifications. The app sorting is a nice touch. Andy is compatible with most Android launchers.
Pro Great application compatibility and stability
Andy is constantly optimizing for applications to perform better on their system. Their support staff has a reporting setup to get the right information to the developers as fast as possible.
Pro Allows using a smartphone as a controller
It can't stream media to a phone, but it can work as a game controller. It allows for accelerometer- and touch-based interactions.
Pro Good customer support
Andy manages support mostly through a Facebook group where both knowledgeable admins and smart community members help answer questions.
Pro Fully functioning notifications and widgets
Andy supports all traditional Android widgets and notifications. It can even use apps like Push Bullet to send those notifications to their other devices.
Pro Great Clash of Clans gameplay experience
The new launcher provided for, it seems, limitless number of Andy tablets. Have a Andy just for CoC with 3GB and 4CPUs to maximize your CoC play to the next level. Then make a full copy of that machine for a full backup. Have an Andy for the children, be able to lock each Andy with a password lock-screen. And manage all this with less only 7 buttons ;) Again, Simple and powerful.
Pro Simple OS upgrade process
As of this latest version, users can be notified of new versions and incremental changes. It's possible to update only certain pieces or parts, rather than downloading an entirely new build. Andy is also exploring OTA update possibilities.
Pro Andy is available in over 40 languages.
For a full list of supported languages, see here.
Pro All apps and settings can be synced between Andy and an Android device on the same network with 1ClickSync
While setting up Andy, 1ClickSync will ask for Google Account credentials that allow keeping apps and their settings in sync between Andy and an Android device.
Pro Available on Windows 7 & 8
Andy is available on Windows 7 and 8.1 PCs with OS X support in development.
Pro No signup required
Downloading Andy requires only one click with no email address or account needed.
Cons
Con Not really meant to be a music player
VLC is made to be a video player. Therefore, it won't carry out actions such as managing your music library.
Con Lacks libraries and advanced music player features
VLC is a media player first and foremost. There is no library management (aside from playlists), limited usage of tags, and no rating system. VLC is best at playing a file directly from a folder, but falls behind when it comes to helping you manage or find good songs in your music library.
Con Absence of personalization
VLC Player has only one basic interface in white or black, and overall personalization opportunities are quite narrow. Unfortunately, you're pretty much stuck to the default look.
Con Contains some insignificant but irritating flaws
Despite all keyboard shortcuts, the width of the picture can't be controlled by trackpad. Besides that, the VLC start-up window doesn’t open at the same place or the same width at which it was previously closed.
Con Andy's Installer is known to drop/install a bitcoin miner
Andy's Installer has been reported to drop a bitcoin miner on users computer which causes significant drop in PC performance.
Con Still on Jelly Bean
KitKat version is planned.
Con No Linux Version
Con Can crash your mac
Con Only installs in Windows Drive C:/
Which is where windows is installed. What's more, it does not let you change the installation path.