Real Alternative is a codec pack created for playing RealMedia files on Windows without installing RealPlayer. The Real Alternative can be used with any DirectShow-enabled media player, such as Media Player Classic, which is included as part of the regular version of package.

Supported: RealAudio (.ra .rpm), RealMedia (.rm .ram .rmvb .rpx .smi .smil), RealText (.rt), ReadPix (.rp) and streaming content. The RealMedia Browser plugin supports Internet Explorer, Opera, Mozilla Firefox.

Real Alternative is unable to provide some of the original RealPlayer's functions. Files, like .smi and .smil files, only play the first part of a clip. The Real Time Streaming Protocol won't be played in DirectShow media players (i.e. Windows Media Player).

Features of Real Alternative:

- Quick and easy install.
- It's easy to make an unattended installation.
- Proper uninstallation.
- No background processes.
- Use a player of your own choice.
- Low on resources.
- No advertising, no registration forms, nothing annoying.

Two versions of Real Alternative:

The only difference between the regular and lite versions is that the lite version does not include Media Player Classic.