🏆15 Best Free Video Converters for Windows 11/10 and Mac
Looking for the best video converter software? Need a free tool to convert videos and audio between popular or obscure formats on Windows, Mac, or other platforms? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
In today’s digital era, capturing life’s precious moments through video has blossomed into a shared passion. Armed with an array of devices, from smartphones to cameras, we’ve embraced the role of storytellers of our visual narratives. Yet, amidst this creative freedom, the maze of video formats often leaves us flustered — unable to play our favorite clips on certain devices, share them on specific platforms, or edit them with preferred apps.
But fear not, as this is where video converters step in — they enable you to convert one type of video format (such as MP4, AVI, MPG, MOV, HEVC, VP9, AV1, etc.) into another, ensuring compatibility across all devices and applications. Below is my ranked list of the best free video converter software programs and online video converter services that are currently available. I regularly update this list to include only the most highly rated options, ensuring that you have access to the latest and greatest video converter software.
VideoProc Converter AI ensures that all your videos (incl. HEVC 4K footage at 120FPS from iPhone/DJI/GoPro/DSLR) can be played, edited, and shared on popular platforms, programs, and devices effortlessly. With the support for level-3 GPU acceleration and the revolutionary AI Super Resolution, everyone can achieve the desired output size and top-notch visual quality in a flash.
1. VideoProc Converter AI
OS: Windows and Mac.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: MP4, MPE, MPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, MPG, MPG4, MTS, MTV, MXF, NSV, OGM, OGV, PSS, PVA, QT, RM, RMVB, RPM, RT, SWF, TIVO, TOD, TP, TPR, TS, VOB, VP6, VP8, VP9, VPX, VRO, WebM, WM, WMP, WMV, WTV, XAVC-S, Xvid, XWMV, and more.
Output formats: MOV, MP4, MKV, WebM, SWF, FLV, AVI, DV-NTSC/PAL, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP8, VP9, DivX, WMV2, ProRes, and 420+ more.
Price: Free for converting short videos; $25.95/year (3PCs), $45.95 for a lifetime license (1PC), and $57.95 for a family lifetime license (3–5PCs).
VideoProc Converter AI is an exceptional video converter software for Windows 11/10 and Mac that masterfully balances versatility, blistering speed, and top-notch quality output. With support for a staggering 370 input and 420 output formats, this best video converter can tackle virtually any video or audio conversion task I throw its way with ease. What truly sets VideoProc Converter AI apart is its lightning-fast conversion speeds — up to an incredible 47x faster than real-time playback! This blazing performance is thanks to the level-3 GPU acceleration tech support and the optimized encoding algorithms. Yet, remarkably, it doesn’t sacrifice quality, leveraging advanced techniques like 2-pass encoding and the x265 high entropy codec to deliver stellar results.
For Windows users like myself, this top video converter goes above and beyond with AI-powered enhancements that have proven invaluable. Features like Super Resolution, Frame Interpolation, and Stabilization allow you to upscale and enhance video/image quality in truly impressive ways. The batch processing for tackling multiple files, the device presets for optimized output, and the basic editing tools are also standout additions. The icing on the cake is its user-friendly, straightforward interface that makes it accessible even for less tech-savvy individuals.
Reasons to use:
- Converts video/audio to 370+ popular and rare formats.
- Easy UI with preset output profiles for iPhone 15/14, PSP5, YouTube, etc.
- Up to 47x faster speed, powered by the level-3 GPU acceleration tech.
- No visible quality loss with x265 high entropy encoding algorithm.
- AI-powered tools, incl. Super Resolution, Frame Interpolation, and more.
- All-in-one: compress, record, edit, and download video files.
Reasons to avoid:
- Does not have the capability to directly work within your browser.
VideoProc Converter AI: Unlock your videos’ full potential with powerful format conversion (420+ to 370+), 90%+ file size reduction, and AI-powered features like Super Resolution (up to 32K) and stabilization. Plus, it packs 29 quick editing tools, enables DVD backup, and allows you to download video and audio from 1,000+ sites.
2. Any Video Converter Free
OS: Windows and Mac.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: 4K video, AVI, FLV, MPG, MP4, M4V(without DRM), M2V, SWF, 3GP, 3G2, 3GPP, MOV, TS, TP, TRP, M2TS, MTS, MKV, DV, WMV, MOD, TOD, ASF, DAT, F4V, VOB, and more.
Output formats: MP4, MOV, MKV, M2TS, M4V, MPEG, AVI, WMV, ASF, OGV, WEBM, and more.
Price: Free with limited features; $49.95 for the ultimate plan to unlock all features.
If you’re looking for a feature-rich video converter, then Any Video Converter Free, which combines video conversion, cutting, and other quick tools into one package, is worth considering. You can easily import popular video formats and choose streaming-friendly codecs like HEVC and VP9 for faster loading on social media platforms. Plus, you can select the operating system for playback, whether it’s Windows, Android, or iOS. When converting video format, you can customize video properties such as codec, frame rate, and encoding settings. However, the codec options are a bit limited. For example, when converting to MOV format, your choices are auto or H264, missing some popular codecs like PRORES and MPEG4.
Also, note that Any Video Converter Free is a trial version with some restrictions. It doesn’t support HD 1080P resolution for downloading or recording videos, and it limits you to merging only up to five videos into a single file. Despite these limitations, it still offers a range of features that make it a solid option for your video conversion needs.
Reasons to use:
- Straightforward UI design
- Upscales video resolution to 200% of the original.
- Options to adjust video frame rate, quality, and more.
Reasons to avoid:
- Can’t convert videos to ProRes, Cinepak, and many popular formats.
- Can’t specify the bitrate for controlling the output size.
- The video conversion speed is a little bit slow.
3. DivX
OS: Windows and Mac.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: MPG, MPEG, MPEG2 (Mpeg2 plug-in required), VOB (Mpeg2 Plug-in required), M1V, M2V, TS (Mpeg 2 Plug-in required), TP, MOV (if user has QT 5+ installed on their computer), MKV (Mpeg4 and H.264 video with AAC, MP3, PCM audio only), etc.
Output formats: WMV, AVI, AVS, AVCHD, MP4, H264 (In a MOV or MP4 container), etc.
Price: Free with limited features; $19.99 for the full Pro version.
If you’re looking for a solid free video converter that can handle 4K and all the popular formats, DivX is definitely worth checking out. Right off the bat, the free version impresses with support for popular formats like MKV, AVI, and MP4 on both input and output. It can convert videos all the way up to crisp 4K resolution — just enable the HEVC plug-in during setup. Now, the installer does try to bundle some additional programs like DivX Player and Avast Antivirus, but you can simply uncheck those options to avoid the extras. No biggie. The interface of this top-rated video converter is straightforward, making it easy to get conversions up and running quickly.
For more advanced needs, the paid DivX Pro adds perks like faster speeds, more format options, custom settings, and Cloud Connect for grabbing videos directly from Google Drive or Dropbox.
Reasons to use:
- Easy to start with, no steep learning curve.
- Specializes in converting videos to high-quality DivX format.
- Can be used for compressing video files.
Reasons to avoid:
- Limited in the number of video formats it supports beyond DivX.
- Many advanced features require paying for a premium version.
- May not be the most beginner-friendly option for novice users.
4. HandBrake
OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, and more.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: MP4/M4V, MKV, MOV, MPG/MPEG, AVI, WMV, FLV, WEBM, CineForm, DNxHD, DNxHR, ProRes, XAVC, XDCAM, DVD, Blu-ray, AVCHD/AVCHD Lite, and more.
Output formats: MOV, WebM, and AVI.
Price: Free of charge.
HandBrake is a remarkable cross-platform and open-source video converter that shines as one of the best options available. Free to use on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, it provides access to incredible features without any costs or annoying advertisements. It can handle multiple video formats like MP4, MKV, AVI, TS, and M2TS, as well as digitize Blu-rays and DVDs to MKV, MP4, and WebM. While this free video converter may not offer as many customization choices as paid tools, it provides ample options for beginners with presets and advanced users to tweak video bitrate, frame rate, resolution, and more.
The output quality is surprisingly good for a free video converter, with support for UHD 4K output. Plus, it supports GPU-accelerated conversion, enabling you to process video formats 2–3 times faster than real-time playback. The downside? HandBrake’s less-than-impressive interface can make it difficult to use efficiently, even after you’ve had time to get used to it. Remuxing video from one format to another without transcoding or quality loss is not supported. It cannot convert your video files to MOV, WebM, AVI, and many common formats. Worse still, it can’t recognize videos made using consumer video editing software such as iMovie and Shotcut.
Reasons to use:
- Supports a heap of input video formats.
- Offers basic editing tools like cut, rotate, and flip.
- Allows you to control the encoding settings via command lines.
Reasons to avoid:
- May be unstable with errors, despite frequent updates.
- Can’t convert encrypted DVDs.
- Not user-friendly for beginners.
- Limited output formats, only supporting MKV, MP4, and WebM containers.
- High CPU resource consumption during conversion.
5. Shutter Encoder
OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, and more.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: MP4, AVI, WebM, MKV, ASF, MPEG, MPG, VOB, H.264, H.265, VP8, VP9, ProRes, DNxHD, QT Animation, GoPro CineForm, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.
Output formats: MOV, MP4, WMV, MKV, MOV, WebM, H.264, H.265, VP8, VP9, AV1, XDCAM HD422, AVC-Intra 100, etc.
Price: Free of charge.
Shutter Encoder is another capable piece of free video converter that you can use to change the video codec from one to another without costing a dime. It offers an impressive range of codecs and formats, including support for output formats like Cinepak, ProRes, and various editing-friendly options. This makes it an excellent choice, in my view, for ensuring your videos are easily editable in programs like Premiere Pro and other editing software. You can fine-tune the output quality to strike the perfect balance between file size and visual fidelity. And if you’re a more advanced user, you can dive into the encoding settings and tweak every aspect of the conversion to your exact specifications.
Beyond converting video files, it can also help burn subtitles, trim, and crop footage, download web videos and music, and even record your screen. The integration of FFmpeg libraries provides advanced functionalities like frame duplication, interpolation, video analysis, and deinterlacing through a list of filters. Plus, its cross-platform compatibility makes it an excellent option for Linux and Ubuntu users seeking reliable video conversion software.
Reasons to use:
- Supports remuxing video formats from one to another.
- Has a pretty active support team on Reddit.
Reasons to avoid:
- The UI is clunky and confusing.
- Takes high CPU and memory usage.
- Lacks easy-to-follow tutorials for newbies to dive deep.
- Many important features are hidden deep within the menu.
6. Freemake Video Converter
OS: Windows.
Watermark: Yes.
Input formats: MP4, AVI, MKV, WMV, MP3, DVD, 3GP, SWF, FLV, HD, MOV, RM, QT, DivX, Xvid, TS, MTS, Fraps, H.264, H.265 (HEVC), MPEG4, AAC, AV1, etc.
Output formats: MOV, MP4, MKV, MOV, WebM, and a few more.
Price: Free trial; $59.95/lifetime to unlock the premium features.
Freemake Video Converter can be a bit of a tease with its free version. The watermarks and nagging to upgrade are annoying, I won’t lie. But once you bite the bullet and go for the paid version, it becomes a solid video converter that just works. The interface is clean and intuitive, even for non-techies like myself. While the format support is not as wide as some other tools, lacking conversion for formats like WebM (VP9), MP4 (HEVC), and many of the latest prevalent formats, it should be more than enough for handling basic conversion demands.
The real issue with Freemake Video Converter, in my opinion, is that the maximum output resolution is 2160x2160. Thus, if you need to convert a 4K video to another format using this software, you’ll have to settle for a significant drop in resolution. Additionally, it’s worth noting that Freemake Video Converter is currently only compatible with Windows operating systems, which may be a limitation for Mac users.
Reasons to use:
- A raft of preset profiles (though out-of-dated).
- Lets you burn digital content to physical discs.
Reasons to avoid:
- Confusing and expensive subscription plans.
- May eat up all your computer resources.
- Not support the output of advanced codecs like HEVC and VP9.
7. Xmedia Recode
OS: Windows.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: AVI, DVD, FLV, MP2, MP4, MOV, MKV, WAV, and WebM.
Output formats: AVI, MKV, FLV, MP4, MOV, WebM, and more.
Price: Free of charge.
Xmedia Recode is like an upgraded, lightweight version of the popular HandBrake video converter, tailored specifically for Windows users. While its interface might not be the flashiest, it more than makes up for it with incredible versatility. Whether you’re dealing with mainstream formats like AVI and MOV or more obscure ones, Xmedia Recode can handle them all with ease. And that’s not even the best part — it gives you an impressive level of control over the encoding process, allowing you to tweak settings to your heart’s content until you achieve that perfect balance of quality and file size.
Plus, if you’re converting for specific devices like TVs or the latest iPhones, it has presets that take the guesswork out of the equation. Sure, the learning curve can be a bit steep, and there have been some hiccups reported with settings not sticking, but once you get the hang of it, this free video converter feels like having a video conversion Swiss Army knife at your fingertips.
Reasons to use:
- Supports batch processing and hardware-accelerated conversion.
- Converts DVDs and Blu-rays.
- Allows for chapter and subtitle adjustments during conversion.
- Provides device-specific conversion profiles.
Reasons to avoid:
- Only available for Windows.
- The interface may be overwhelming for new users.
8. Avidemux
OS: Windows, Mac, and more.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: MKV, MP4, MPEG4, 3GP, ASF, AVI, FLV, H263, JPEG, MPG, OGM, WMV, etc.
Output formats: MP4, MOV, MKV, FLV, H.264, H.265, MPEG-4, VP9, and many trendy ones.
Price: Free of charge.
Avidemux is an exceptional video conversion tool that deserves a spot in every media enthusiast’s toolkit. It stands out for its ability to quickly convert video container formats to popular options like MKV, MP4, and WebM while maintaining the original media streams. Surely, you can also customize the video and audio codecs, bitrate, frame rate, channel numbers, and other encoding settings to their exact specifications. Aside, the inclusion of handy filters for sharpening, denoising, and other post-processing tasks is a welcome bonus, allowing users to fine-tune their videos with ease.
Of course, this free video converter isn’t without its limitations. The interface is badly designed, and the lack of a full-fledged timeline and creative effects may steer some users towards more feature-rich video editors. Additionally, its resource-intensive nature could pose a challenge for users with less powerful systems. However, if your primary need is free and highly customizable video transcoding, Avidemux is simply one of the best tools for the job.
Reasons to use:
- Can remux video files without re-encoding or quality loss.
- Offers a few basic video editing tools.
Reasons to avoid:
- Not supports batch video conversion.
- Difficult for beginners to customize the output encoding settings.
- Random crashes due to the lack of technical support.
9. VLC
OS: Windows, Mac, and more.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WebM, VOB, MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4 ASP, XviD, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, ProRes, DV, FLV, MIDI, etc.
Output formats: ASF, AVI, FLAC, FLV, Fraps, MKV, MP4, MPJPEG, MPEG-2 (ES, MP3), Ogg, PS, PVA, MOV, TS, WAV, and WebM.
Price: Free of charge.
VLC, renowned as one of the best media players, might surprise you by also being listed among the best video converters, and I can attest to its capabilities in this regard. It can handle a wide range of video formats, from HEVC and VC-D to MPEG-1/2 and WMV. Whether you’re dealing with a video file that refuses to play nicely on other players or simply needs to convert between different codecs, VLC has got you covered. The batch conversion feature is particularly handy, allowing you to convert the format for multiple video files at once with minimal fuss.
Just keep in mind that VLC’s conversion capabilities, while impressive, aren’t quite on par with some of the more specialized video converter software out there. It doesn’t support converting your video files to VP9, HEVC, ProRes, and many new or editing-friendly formats, and the range of customization options may be a bit limited for advanced users.
Reasons to use:
- Supports ripping unprotected DVDs.
- Play video and audio files in hundreds of trendy formats.
- Offers batch video conversion functionality.
Reasons to avoid:
- Can’t output VP9, HEVC, ProRes, and many commonly-used codecs.
- Limited output presets for popular social media platforms.
- Can’t convert multiple videos simultaneously to different formats.
10. MediaCoder
OS: Windows.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: MP4, WebM, F4V, FLV, MKV, AVI, MPEG-PS, MPEG-TS, ASF, MTS/M2TS/AVCHD, MOV, PMP, RealMedia, and OGM.
Output formats: AVI, MKV, MP4, Xvid, DivX, H. 264, and MPEG.
Price: Free with limited features; $95 for the premium plan to unlock all features.
MediaCoder has been a reliable video converter for over a decade, actively developed and maintained to handle both prevalent and ancient audio/video formats. It covers VP8, VP9, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP8/VP9, MPEG 1/2/4, PCM, Huffyuv, Vorbis, ADPCM, and mp3Pro, which is impressive. While it doesn’t offer ready-made profiles for popular devices like many other converters, MediaCoder makes up for this by providing a comprehensive range of control options. I appreciate being able to adjust bitrates, rate modes, encoding levels, and more. The handy video filters like denoise, deshake, de-logo, crop, and rotate are also great for quick video enhancement.
However, the cluttered UI with unexplained jargon can be a bit overwhelming, taking some time to learn and get accustomed to. The free version limiting video output to 1080P or lower resolutions is also a drawback in my opinion. But overall, MediaCoder remains a reliable choice for its versatility in handling various audio/video formats, despite its lack of user-friendliness compared to other converters.
11. CloudConvert
OS: It’s an online video converter.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: 3G2, 3GP, 3GPP, AVI, CAVS, DVD, DVR, FLV, M2TS, M4V, MKV, MOD, etc.
Output formats: AVI, FLV, M2TS, MPG, MOV, MP4, MTS, MOD, 3GP, DVR, VOB, and WebM.
Price: Free trial (up to 25 conversions/day); one-time package which starts from $8.
CloudConvert is an online file converter website that offers a variety of conversion options for different types of files such as videos, audio, documents, ebooks, archives, images, spreadsheets, and presentations. When converting videos, you get popular options like AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MP4, WEBM, and WMV as target formats. Handy controls let you adjust video resolution, quality, and file size. However, the codec selection is a bit limited. For MP4 or MOV, you can only pick x264, x265, or AV1 codecs. And for AVI, the choices are x264, x265, or DivX. Personally, I find this codec restriction a tad disappointing since MP4, MOV, and AVI are container formats that should support more codecs. For instance, MOV can wrap videos encoded with ProRes and other less-compressed codecs. On the bright side, CloudConvert is generously free for up to 25 conversions daily. Beyond that, their flexible payment plans and subscriptions let you customize a package based on your needs using their neat quantity slider.
Reasons to use:
- Supports 2000+ file formats.
- Developers can integrate CloudConvert into their apps or websites
- Offers several video editing tools.
Reasons to avoid:
- Slow response times when converting large video files.
- The selection of output formats is quite limited.
12. FreeFileConvert
OS: It’s an online video converter.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: Popular ones like AVI, ASF, M4V, MOV, MP4, and 3GP.
Output formats: Popular ones like AVI, ASF, M4V, MOV, MP4, and 3GP.
Price: Free (up to 5 conversions/day, with total size not exceeding 500MB).
FreeFileConvert provides conversion for a vast array of file formats, supporting 8765 different combinations across audio, video, image, documents, archives, presentations, ebooks, and fonts. Its straightforward interface caters to beginner users, albeit cluttered with ads. You can convert up to 5 files simultaneously, with a total size limit of 500MB. However, one major limitation is the inability to change video codecs without altering the container format. For example, converting an MP4 HEVC file to MP4 H.264 or MP4 MPEG-2/4 is not possible. Additionally, there are no options to control encoding settings, making it challenging to achieve the desired output quality and file size.
Reasons to use:
- Free to use (no payment required).
- Supports loading video files from URLs.
- User-friendly interface for beginners.
Reasons to avoid:
- Excessive pop-up advertisements and intrusive ads.
- Limited support for large video files (maximum file size of 500MB).
- Lack of customization options for video encoding settings.
- Slow conversion speed, even with a good network connection.
13. Zamzar
OS: It’s an online video converter.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: Popular ones like MP4, MKV, ASF, M4V, MOV, and 3GP.
Output formats: 3GP, 3G2, AVI, FLV, MOV, MPG, WebM, and WMV.
Price: Free (50MB limit); basic $18/mo (200MB); pro $30/mo (400MB); Premium $48/mo (2GB, best value)
Zamzar, an online file converter and compressor founded by brothers Mike and Chris Whyley in England back in 2006, has become a popular choice for users worldwide. With support for over 1,200 different conversion types, it allows users to convert files online without the need to download any software. Many people love this online video converter for its simple and clutter-free interface. Simply upload your video file and select the desired output format, and the service takes care of the rest. However, this simplicity can also be a drawback for advanced users who may require more control over the conversion process. Zamzar doesn’t provide options to adjust codecs, bitrates, quality levels, or other encoding settings, which could be a dealbreaker for those seeking precise output specifications. The 50 MB file upload limit may also be disappointing. Additionally, while Zamzar’s ease of use is commendable, some users may experience slower conversion speeds, which can be frustrating, especially for time-sensitive projects.
Reasons to use:
- It’s an ads-free online video converter.
- Can convert videos from Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Reasons to avoid:
- Your video file has to be under 50MB.
- The premium plans have high price tags.
- Often causes drastic picture quality loss.
- Lack of customizable options.
14. Convertio
OS: It’s an online video converter.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: MP4, WMV, MOV, AVI, and some other more rare ones.
Output formats: AVI, MOV, WebM, WMV, MPEG, MPG, MPEG-2, DivX, 3GP, OGV, MKV, M4V, FLV, MJPEG, HEVC, TS, VOB, AVCHD, MXF, ASF, MTS, 3G2, RMVB, etc.
Price: Free (100MB limit); $9.99/mo for light plan (500MB); $14.99/mo for basic plan (1G); $50/mo for unlimited plan (unlimited file size).
Convertio is a versatile online file converter that supports an impressive 25,600+ conversions across 300+ file formats, from videos and audio to images, presentations, fonts, and ebooks. It handles popular video formats like MP4, WMV, MOV, AVI, and even some obscure ones with ease. A neat feature is the ability to tweak quality, aspect ratio, and codec settings, and even rotate or flip your videos before conversion. While Convertio claims to use high-quality algorithms to preserve video quality, I’ve noticed some visible degradation during my tests. But for basic conversions, the results are generally acceptable. One drawback is the 100MB file size limit on the free plan, which might be too restrictive for larger video files. To remove this cap, you’ll need to upgrade to their pro plan at $50/month — a steep price in my opinion.
Reasons to use:
- Supports adjusting resolution, size, and more.
- Integrates mainstream cloud services.
Reasons to avoid:
- Irrelevant ads on the whole screen.
- Slow response and frequent conversion failures for video files.
- Needs to pay for the highest tier to unlock unlimited file size.
15. Video Converter by 123APPS
OS: It’s an online video converter.
Watermark: No.
Input formats: MP4, AVI, MKV, and other popular ones.
Output formats: MP4, AVI, MPEG, MOV, FLV, 3GP, WebM, and MKV.
Price: Free for converting video files up to 4GB in size.
123Apps offers a diverse collection of web apps that make audio and video editing, PDF work, and file conversion easy. Their video converter caught my eye — a straightforward UI mimicking desktop software, yet web-based. You get useful options to tweak codecs, resolution, and file size. However, the output codec choices felt limited. For MP4 conversions, you only get MPEG-4, HEVC, or H.264. While it has device presets, they seem outdated. The latest iPhone option was the 6S model, which is pretty ancient considering we’re in 2024 already — the iPhone 15 should be listed. Another limitation I noticed was the inability to upscale resolution. If your source is 1920p, you can’t convert it to 2K/4K.
Reasons to use:
- Supports file uploads up to 4GB in size
- Capable of converting videos from local disk, URL, and online drives.
- Options to adjust resolution, target file size, and video/audio codec.
Reasons to avoid:
- Potential degradation of picture and sound quality.
- Slow video file uploading speed, as it lacks multi-thread support.
- Displays disruptive 123apps ads and popups.
Video converter FAQs
1. Which is the best free video converter?
Like most free tools and services, free video converters come with their own set of compromises that users should be aware of. We’ve featured some free video converters like the free versions of Freemake and Any Video Converter and the open-source video converters like Handbrake and VLC which are completely free to use, they are not without their drawbacks. More often than not, you’ll encounter one or more of the following limitations:
Watermarks: It’s common for free video converters to emblazon your video with a watermark. This works to the provider’s benefit in two ways. It acts as an incentive for the user to pay for a premium version of the software to remove the watermark. It also acts as an advertisement for the converter if free videos are shared.
Length or size limit: Another common way for free video converter providers to put users off the free version of their freemium software is to limit the time length or size of videos. For instance, Zamzar restricts free accounts from converting videos larger than 50MB.
Lack of features: A small handful of free video converters offer a robust selection of features while others fall short in areas like editing suite selection and format options.
Quality loss: Many free video converters lack support for high resolutions like 4K or 8K, restricting output to lower resolutions even if the source video is high-quality. Additionally, some free tools employ inferior re-encoding algorithms during conversion, resulting in noticeable quality loss, compression artifacts, or degraded audio compared to the original video file.
3. What’s the fastest Video Converter?
When it comes to blazing-fast video conversion speeds, VideoProc Converter AI stands out from the crowd. Powered by the full GPU acceleration tech from Intel, NVIDIA, AMD, and even Apple’s latest M1/M2 chips, this speedy video converter can convert large video files remarkably fast — up to 47x faster than the real-time playback.
4. What’s the best video converter for 1080P and 4K?
VideoProc Converter AI is the best video converter for HD 1080P and 4K for good reasons.
- It’s powered by level-3 GPU acceleration technology, allowing for fast conversion without burdening the CPU or memory usage. In my tests, the conversion process utilized only an average of 2% CPU usage, ensuring a smooth experience without lagging.
- It supports downscaling 4K videos to lower resolutions, which is useful for saving storage space and enabling quick sharing when quality is less of a concern. Additionally, its new AI Super Resolution feature allows upscaling low-resolution videos to up to 4K crisp quality without artifacts.
- It supports a wide range of 4K and 1080P video formats, including 1080p, 4K HDR, HEVC, 10-bit videos, long-GOP from various devices like DJI and GoPro, variable frame rate (VFR) videos from iPhones, 4K MTS/M2TS and MXF from camcorders, and other demanding video files.
- It adopts a high-quality engine, ensuring you can convert high-quality 4K videos without perceivable quality loss, retaining top-notch quality throughout the process.
5. Which is the best free video converter for PC Windows 10?
There are several free video converters available for PC Windows 10. In my experience, some of the best options include HandBrake, VideoProc Converter AI, and MediaCoder. Each of these tools has its own set of features and capabilities, so it’s best to try a few of them to see which one works best for your specific needs.