There are many tools available for converting video between formats, but the one I often turn to is the free Miro Video Converter. While its interface isn’t what you would call Mac-standard. If you don't want a movie as the output file, Miro Video Converter comes with the option to extract only the audio, in MP3 and OGG Vorbis audio format. Miro Video Converter is a useful piece of software, simple to use, with a large selection of available formats for conversion, that offers you basic encoding options.
Summary:
Some of you may be willing to pay for a video transcoder, while some others, for various reasons, prefer free ones. If you are looking for a free video converter but still haven't installed any one, take your pick from our following choices. Also see those free video converter alternatives 2020 recommended by users below if you are annoyed by what you use now and about to try something new.
What is it like to use free video converter nowadays? Here are the possibilities:
- • You used to be able to convert video for free, which now costs money.
- • No need of software download but uses large amounts of bandwidth.
- • Free convert online but with limits in file size, length, resolution, etc.
- • Completely free, at the cost of labeling your video with watermark.
- • Completely free media converter, coming with adware or third-party plug-ins.
- • Truly free video converter software but with no nice user interface. You need to be familiar with CLI.
- • Well known as the best free video converter, but figuring out where to get a safe download might exhaust you.
- • Works on Windows but not a free video converter for Mac.
VideoProc
VideoProc is not a purely video transcoder named as 'converter', but it covers all your media conversion needs. With free Full license available, you are allowed to free convert videos in basically any format. What matters most is the amazingly fast conversion speed, while hardware acceleration engine is enabled.
Pros and Cons
- Not only a free video converter, but also an audio and DVD converter.
- Supports 4K, HEVC, H.264, 3D, etc. 370 input & 420+ output formats.
- GPU accelerator built in, making HD/large file conversions fast.
- Also works as video editor, downloader and recorder.
- Can be used as full free video converter, but time limited.
7-day full free license for VideoProc: DACBF-VB6F2-XUNMP-TG4VR (Win), DBIF4-7GPFO-UCP4X-IZNBB (Mac)
To use VideoProc as a free video converter, firstly click the 'Free Download' button above to get VideoProc installed quickly. Then open the software and click into 'VideoProc - Video' converter center.
Step 1. Click +Video to load your video.
Step 2. Move down to the Target Format area and select the video format you need.
Step 3. Specify an output folder to save the final files.
Step 4. Press button RUN to start converting videos.
Extra Tips
1. Click +Video Folder for batch converting videos, or simply drag and drop your files to get them loaded.
2. To make this free video converter work as faster as possible, do remember to enable the Hardware Acceleration Engine.
3. To remux video like from MKV H.264 to MP4 H.264, check Auto Copy option.
4. Click Option to get into video parameter setting panel: change video resolution (i.e. 4K to 1080p), adjust video aspect ratio (i.e. 16:9 to 4:3), reset frame rate (i.e. 60fps to 30fps), or add media cover/name tag.
5. Do some simple editing before the video conversion: cut, crop or rotate video, add subtitles, apply filters or change video playback speed, etc. Video stabilization is especially useful for sports clips.
With VideoProc, you can convert videos, audio files and DVDs to over 400 output formats. VideoProc uses full GPU acceleration, which enables it to process even 4K videos quickly, without compromising quality. (Techradar)
VideoProc makes it quick and easy for amateurs and hobbyists to edit and process 4K video, and doesn't require that you invest in an uber powerful PC or spend hours learning how to use it. (Trusted Reviews)
If you shoot a lot of videos and want more flexibility in making them shine on any device, VideoProc is for you. Instead of focusing on converting a video, or editing and adjusting it, this app does all of the above. (Cult of Mac)
HandBrake
Miro Video Converter Mac
Nine out of ten people would recommend HandBrake if you ask for help in finding a free video converter. No doubt HandBrake is well known as freeware for various platforms - macOS, Windows, Linux and more.
Being one of the best free video converters, HandBrake allows you to free convert not only video but also DVD. But note that copy-protected DVD with DRMs is not supported, although installing libdvdcss can bypass part of them. Probably because it's open source, different kinds of problems happen from time to time.
Pros and Cons
- Completely free with GPU acceleration supported now.
- Flexible video parameter settings, even in command lines.
- Unstable with errors, despite being constantly updated.
- Good for experienced users, but not beginner friendly.
- Few output formats. 3 containers available only.
Freemake
Miro Video Converter Windows
Roughly speaking, Freemake is a good free video converter. It can be used for free, supports a long list of media formats and makes GPU accelerated video conversion possible.
It is supposed to be an ideal option for dealing with UHD or large files. However the truth is Freemake loads 4K videos, followed by getting stuck or crashing most of the time. Video quality is not too bad, but you have to put up with a huge logo in your converted videos.
Pros and Cons
- Easy to use with straightforward interface.
- A free converter for video, audio, DVD and Photo.
- Not updated since 2017 and HEVC not supported.
- Windows only, not compatible with macOS.
- Payment is required to remove watermark.
VLC
Don't be surprised to see VLC turn up in this free video converters list. True, VLC has long been well received as media player software, which, however, doesn't stop it from being a good free video converting tool at the same time. People who know it well should find the secret that VLC can be used as free video editor as well.
Pros and Cons
- Convert audio/DVD as well, and supports H.265 codec.
- Batch video conversion is supported.
- Limited in output formats and presets.
- No advanced video parameter settings.
WinX Video Converter
WinX Video Converter is a free edition for video conversion, providing you with basic media transcoding functions among commonly used file formats. It is easy, taking you no time to figure out how to start, but you have to pay for updating to the Pro version for higher support of latest 4K/HEVC videos， hardware acceleration and simple editing options like trimming, cropping, etc.
Pros and Cons
Miro Software Video Converter For Mac Pro
- Convert videos in regular formats fast.
- Supports video conversion in batch.
- Does not accept video in 4K or higher resolution.
- GPU acceleration not supported.
Miro Video Converter
Miro Video converter, similar to HandBrake, is free and open source. But the difference is HandBrake is 'live' and more powerful, while Miro has no update since 2015. As a result of that, new video formats developed in recent years won't be accessible in Miro. You can't even see an output device option newer than iPhone 5. But still, it is a free video converter that works if you need to do some basic video transcoding.
Miro Software Video Converter For Mac Free
Pros and Cons
Miro Converter Free Download
- Easy to use and safe to download.
- No support of hardware acceleration.
- C: is set as target folder and can't be changed.
- Out of date. No support of HEVC or latest devices.