The Best Free Video Converters

Video converters are handy tools that allow you to convert a video into a compatible format or an optimal resolution based on the playback device. For beginners with little experience, an easy-to-use app without a complex user interface is the best pick. Regardless of your level of expertise, you should pick a video converter with practical features.

A good converter should be capable of handling different formats, including converting from or to VP9, HEVC, AVI, WebM, MOV, MKV, and MP4. This guide covers the best free video converters that you should consider.

How to Choose a Video Converter

We will explore some of the best free video converters to give you an idea of your choice. However, while these tools excel in varying ways, you must consider some core elements before deciding.

User Interface and Ease of Use

You must consider the essential functions you will perform with the video converter and how easily you can access them when you launch the app or open the service.

Additionally, you may favor an interface with a lot of visual aids. For instance, some interfaces will show the conversion progress, allowing you to preview before saving, while others may not.

For someone more experienced with writing commands for the Terminal, the interface of the FFmpeg may be excellent, but it may be a bad option if you have no coding experience.

Conversion Speed and Efficiency

Conversion speeds are crucial as they are often the most critical point to note when converting videos. A video of 50 MB may convert in ten minutes on a specific converter but take double the time on another. Also, the faster converting tools often require more computing power and can be a bad option if you use an older computer.

It may also be a good time to consider using an online service like Online Convert instead of a downloaded app since the online tool will require less computing power from your device.

Output Quality and Format Options

Lastly, you may want to consider conversion quality and video format options. Elements like lossy formats may be vital if you want smaller files, even though they may have reduced sharpness. On the other hand, you may prefer tools with lossless format outputs for pristine quality.

You may opt for preset settings, which are often easier to navigate. However, customized settings may be tailored more for your desired output. There isn’t one that is better, but you should know what you seek regarding output formats.

Best Free Video Converters

1. FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a free, open-source video conversion option ideal for those with command-line knowledge. Unlike many other tools, it does not offer a GUI but a terminal for writing conversion commands. While this will be a steep learning curve for a beginner, it offers unrivaled flexibility and control.

Conversion is very efficient and fast, outperforming many GUI tools. However, specific video conversion tasks like high-resolution or complex encoding would still take some time.

It supports almost every audio and video format. These include lossless and lossy codecs. Some standard formats you may try are QuickTime, ProRes, Cinepak, WMV, AV1, VP8, HEVC/H.265, and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC.

In addition to transcoding, this tool supports standards compliance, post-production effects, video scaling, and editing.

FFmpeg is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Pros

• Flexible over the mixer, encoder, processor, decoder, demuxer settings, and choice.
• Supports multiple formats.
• It offers both lossless and lossy output options.
• Open-source and free.

Cons

• Hard to learn and master.
• It presents no visual feedback.

→ FFmpeg

2. Online Convert (Web-Based)

Online Convert is free, web-based video converter ideal for those who don’t want to install another app on their PC. It allows conversion between different mainstream video formats. You may convert videos to 3G2, 3GP, AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MP4, and MPG.

You can adjust video resolution, codecs, bitrate, aspect ratio, audio, and frame rate. In addition, videos can be trimmed, flipped, rotated, and cropped as desired. Even though it’s web-based, it can be used on different platforms, with your internet connection’s speed being the key factor.

However, you should note that conversion is not as fast as some other video converters. This is especially the case with larger files.

Source files can be uploaded from URL, cloud storage, and local. The search box at the top right allows you to check the conversion type supported. Online Convert also allows you to download converted videos as ZIP files and upload them to the cloud.

Pros

• Easy to use.
• No installation or programs and plugins.
• Accessible across different platforms.

Cons

• Data privacy and security concerns.
• Internet dependent.
• Slow conversion and upload speeds.
• Large file restrictions.

→ Online Convert

3. Handbrake

Handbrake is a free video converter that is ideal for freelancers and small studios. We love it because it supports single-file conversion and batch-file conversion.

The royalty-free converter is top-rated on different platforms and can transcode between Theora, VP8, MPEG-4, MPEG-2 (libav), HEVC (x265), and H.264(x264). Once converted, you can insert the video in Google Slides.

The audio powers of Handbrake include Vorbis, AC3, FLAC, MP3, Core Audio AAC/HE-ACC, and ACC. Users can convert videos to WebM, MKV, or MP4 (M4V) in audio or video codecs. The program allows SD/HD/4K videos on devices like Windows Mobile, Android, Apple TV, iPod, iPad, iPhone, etc.

It’s a good option for DVD ripping if they are not copyright-protected. Handbrake offers different options and has a preset stack, allowing easy access to the most common formats for different devices. You may use this app on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Pros

• You can easily convert your DVDs to video.
• Practical video editing features.
• Open-source and free.
• No up-sells or ads.

Cons

• It has a limited video format output.
• It does not have a very intuitive user interface.
• Slow conversion speed.

→ Handbrake

4. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is probably best known as a video player, but it’s also a handy free video converter. You can use VLC to convert videos to MP4 or another playable format.

The media player has no restrictions and is a good choice for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices.

It supports a wide variety of codecs and formats, including ASF, H.265, OGG, TS, WebM, MP4, etc. However, since VLC was first created as a media player, its conversion capability is not as robust as other alternatives.

However, it offers decent default settings and lossless codec codec conversions. One drawback is that you will have limited control over output parameters, and it offers limited lossless output.

Pros

• Straightforward to use.
• Runs on Android, iOS, Unix, Mac OS X, Linux, Windows, etc.
• No user tracking, ads, or spyware.

Cons

• Output formats are hard to find.
• Editing features aren’t enough.
• The output video format is limited.

→ VLC Media Player

5. Prism Video Converter

Prism is ideal for multi-format and stable video conversion on low-end PCs. It is available for Windows.

The app boasts a straightforward and clean interface; buttons are well arranged, and its layout is intuitive, allowing easy access to all basic operations. You can add video effects and handle batch conversions.

It leverages multi-core CPU support to produce fast conversion times, especially for standard formats and resolutions.

Prism supports a decent selection of input and output video formats, including MOV, AVI, MP4, and device-specific profiles for tablets and smartphones.

With filters and effects, Prism gives an even better outcome. Once generated, results can be previewed before saving. It offers both lossless and lossy output options.

Pros

• Files can be extracted and then converted from DVDs directly.
• Multi-functional in that you can compress, edit, and convert videos.
• Supports batch conversion.
• Different formats are supported.

Cons

• Limited video formats supported.
• Can’t bypass DVD protections.
• Popups to buy Plus edition.

→ Prism Video Converter

Enjoy Video Access Regardless of the Format

Picking an ideal video converter can significantly affect how well you access videos in different formats. So, consider your experience level and the quality you will need while choosing. Other considerations include whether it has formats that match your needs.

The above options can be accessed free of charge, with some having an upgrade option in the form of paid versions. You can enjoy great success with these tools.