10+ free video converters for Windows and Mac

Once in a while we all find ourselves unable to open a video file of certain format. This is where a video converter software can be handy. Whether you need an AVI to MP4, FLV to MOV, etc., such programs, designed specifically to convert one video format into another (or even into audio format), are abundant. To help you out, we’ve selected 10 best free video converters, and tested them in action.

It is pretty easy task to convert video files with these programs. You just open/upload your video, select the output format, name it, and click Convert button. For our test we seeks out free video converter, no matter what form it comes in – a trial, a shareware, or a totally free versions. Trials, of course, are a bummer, limiting either a timeline to use a converter, or a video length.   

We didn’t want to publish yet another “5 best tools” article with all the same information, so we cut lengthy vendor descriptions. Instead, we want to give you the analysis and comparison, based on our test runs. Only basic essential data. So, here is a first round-up.

Basic information
	License	Platforms	Languages	Installer	Disk space	Pricing
Wondershare	Trial	Windows, MacOS	9	133 MB	415 MB	$40
Movavi	7-day trial, watermark	Windows, MacOS	14	46.1 MB	196 MB	$40
WinX HD	Free, Trial	Windows, MacOS	13	45.1 MB	124 MB	$30
Freemake	Free, watermark	Windows	19	50.3 MB	168 MB	Free
Xilisoft	Trial, 3 min. limit	Windows, MacOS	9	37 MB	124 MB	$42
Aicoosoft	Trial, 1/3 limit	Windows, MacOS	1	49 MB	150 MB	$30
Hamster	Free	Windows	40	9.8 MB	19 MB	Free
Format Factory	Free	Windows	70	74.6 MB	265 MB	Free
Any Video Converter	Trial, 3 min. limit	Windows, MacOS	26	58.2 MB	163 MB	$50
Free HD	Trial, 3 min. limit	Windows	7	86 MB	228 MB	$30
Wise	Trial, 30 min. limit	Windows, MacOS	38	16 MB	50 MB	$20
Total Video Converter	15-day trial	Windows, MacOS	10	15 MB	54 MB	$30

As you may see, our top-10 free video converters include: Freemake Video Converter, Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate, Wondershare Video UniConverter, Hamster Free Video Converter, Format Factory, Any Video Converter Ultimate, Free HD Video Converter Factory, WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe, Wise Video Converter, Total Video Converter and Movavi Video Converter.

Best free video converters

Below, you’ll get a feeling and basic facts, pros and cons to each program. Most of them are video converters for Windows, but there are few that work on MacOS too. We’ve checked all their features and collected it in a few comparison tables. Here they are:

I. Features

	Custom converter settings	Hardware acceleration	Support 4K/HD	Editing	Image Converter
Wondershare	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Movavi	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
WinX HD	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Freemake	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Xilisoft	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Aicoosoft	✔	–	✔	✔	–
Hamster	✔	–	–	✔	–
Format Factory	✔	✔	–	✔	✔
Any Video Converter	✔	✔	✔	✔	–
Free HD	✔	–	–	✔	–
Wise	✔	–	✔	–	–
Total Video Converter	✔	–	–	✔	–

II. Presets for converting to selected devices

	Desktop	Web	Smartphones	Old mobile phones	Game Consoles	Smart TV	Total
Wondershare	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	282
Movavi	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	416
WinX HD	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	405
Freemake	✔	–	✔	✔	✔	✔	158
Xilisoft	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	163
Aicoosoft	✔	✔	✔	–	–	–	220
Hamster	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	–	171
Format Factory	✔	✔	–	✔	–	–	277
Any Video Converter	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	226
Free HD	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	440
Wise	✔	–	–	✔	–	–	11
Total Video Converter	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	–	56

III. Editing instruments

	Crop/Trim	Rotate	Merge	Watermark	Subtitles	Color correction	Effects
Wondershare	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	18
Movavi	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
WinX HD	✔	–	✔	✔	✔	–	–
Freemake	✔	✔	–	–	–	–	–
Xilisoft	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	14
Aicoosoft	✔	✔	–	✔	✔	–	9
Hamster	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Format Factory	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	–
Any Video Converter	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	✔	–
Free HD	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	✔	19
Wise	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Total Video Converter	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	–	–

IV. Convertion settings customization

	Frame size	Quality level	Video bitrate	Frame rate	Audio channels	Audio rate
Wondershare	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Movavi	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
WinX HD	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Freemake	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Xilisoft	✔	✔	–	–	–	–
Aicoosoft	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Hamster	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Format Factory	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Any Video Converter	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Free HD	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Wise	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
Total Video Converter	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔

To compare performance of these free video converters we’ve conducted the following tests: 1) conversion speed – 30 seconds file MP4 to AVI, 2) compression size – 3 minutes file MP4 to FLV, 3) GIF speed – 1 minute file  AVI to GIF, 4) speed of extracting audio – 3 minutes file MP4 to MP3, 4) speed of merging – AVI+WMV to MP4. Find the results in a table at the end of article.

A word regarding file formats. While the most popular video formats are AVI, WMV, MOV, MP4, MKV and AVCHD, these 10 media converters support much more formats out there. Not to repeat each time, all of ten video converters support the following input file formats: AVI, MOV, MP4, MPEG, MKV, WMV, 3GP, SWF, FLV, DiVX. Similarly, all support such output file formats: AVI, MOV, MP4, MPEG, MKV, WMV, 3GP, SWF, FLV, DiVX, MP3, WAV, M4V, WEBM, M2TS, WMV, 3GP, 3G2, OGV, M4A, FLAC, GIF.

Let’s cut to the chase.

Convert, edit, download from URL, transfer, burn DVD and other options indicate we have no ordinary converter here. Nevertheless, it’s a fine free video converter for all possible formats, and also for both Windows and Mac. Wondershare features certain VR devices, 4K video formats, as well as rare audio formats like ACC, OGG, AC3, M4R, AIFF, APE. Additionally, specific devices like Apple TV, Xbox, iPad, PSP, Insta360.

Pro/Premium: $40. License offers: Download and record video from sites, GIF convertor, no files length limit, metadata editor.

One more free video converter for Mac and Windows systems. It offers 180 media formats, including images and audio; lots of presets for popular devices, like iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy. But the basic workflow it conventional: drag and drop your files, select the output and click the Convert button. Movavi VC Premium provides features to stabilize a video, to rotate, to insert a watermark, or even adjust the volume levels.

Pro/Premium: $40. License offers: No limits for video, video editor, tech support.

WinX converter is compatible with 45 top multimedia formats, it has over 400 conversion presets, as well as several tools to speed up conversion. Presets are divided into 17 categories (some contain subcategories) for easier workflow. WinX comes with 6 interface languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Chinese and Japanese. In the central area we can simply drag-and-drop incoming files to convert, or edit previously added files. Read full WinX HD Video Converter to find out more.

Pro/Premium: $29,95. 1-year license per 1 PC, stable conversion, no trial limitations, 30-day money back guarantee.

Another handy and straightforward utility is Aicoosoft Video Converter, with Windows and Mac versions. It can convert videos, including DVDs; edit video files in the process – trim, rotate, add watermark, subtitles, effects; as well as record user screen and turn it into MP4 files. While converting, one can also tweak audio parameters of an end-file, e.g. encoder (MP3, PCM), bitrate (128 – 320 kbps), sample rate (22050 – 48000 Hz) and channel (1-2). Trial version is limited to a third of any file duration.

Pro/Premium: $30. License offers: 1 PC for 1 year, no limits for video lenth, edit, compress.

Although, this VideoProc program for Windows and Mac has a free version, it acts, actually, as a trial – with 5 minutes limitation to process and 10 video services to support. In regards to conversion, it is quite jacked: over 400 output formats, 370 codecs, 4K capability, upscale and/or downscale video quality in the process, and compression options. If you want to convert a YouTube video for example, you’d have to download it first (Downloader tab), then drag it into the Video tab and configure conversion.

Pro/Premium: $29,95. 1 year license per 1 PC with no trial limitations and 30-day money back guarantee, or Lifetime license for 1 devide for $42.95.

When you face the rarest formats like AVM, DAT, F4V, MPG, NSV, OGM, RMVB, TS, VOB, etc. Wise Video Converter is a way to go. Not much to say except it’s a plain straightforward converter, that can also extract audio from video files – into MP3, supports bulk conversion. It has a portable version as well, and a separate program worth mentioning – Wise YouTube Downloader.

Pro/Premium: $20. License offers: No time limit, no watermark, integrated player, portable program version, subtitles.

Freemake converter is free and supports 63 video formats, plus various audio and image formats. It can download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, etc., and even extract audio from it. It can edit and trim videos before converting. Works on all Windows, has 19 menu languages, 158video presets. Note: Freemake puts a watermark on output videos.

Gold Pack: $9 – $19, depending on duration, removes logo, unlocks Premium features (subtitles editor, HD video support, etc.).

This video converter is free to try as trial, though you get 3-minute limit. On the plus side, it supports MacOS along with Windows OS. It also has 163 presets  as well as  a built-in video player for previews. More features if you purchase a subscription: adding subtitles, merge several files into one, clip/trim/edit options, HD encoding/decoding.

Pro/Premium: $42. License offers: No time limit for conversions.

If you’re looking for a universal video converter for Windows 10, or Windows 7 or 8, that is easy to use, Hamster free video converter is worth checking out. It has a preview player, supports DivX codecs, and converts any video format for over 200 devices, e.g. iPad, PS3, Blackberry, xBox, Zune, iRiver, etc. It’s totally free, without limitations, here’s a brief Vimeo tutorial.

Pro/Premium: $0 / free / full functionality available.

Another multifunctional media converter, that one can also use as a video converter to MP4, among other things. Process is simple: select the desired video format, upload a file, convert. Use advanced options to edit audio, aspect ratio, bitrate, size, etc. Note: when installing, pay attention not to get additional programs you might not want. 40 menu languages available.  

Pro/Premium: $0 / free / full functionality available.

AVC – Any video converter, is a video converter for Mac and Windows, which is user-friendly and has a simple and functional design. It has lots of presets, including by device type, which is useful if a user also wants to edit a video. Although, be careful with suspicious additional software when installing the converter. Among positives: easy-to-use, batch video conversion, video merging, cropping.

Pro/Premium: $50. License offers: Download and record video from sites, tech support, upgrades, no time limits.

A free converter by WonderFox Soft Inc., that also offers a DVD video converter, a HD video converter, a video/image watermark tool. And especially we’d like to underscore a video to GIF converter. It works on all versions of Windows, supports about 200 formats and has a unique feature – HD (high definition) quality conversion. For more info and tools like MP4 video converter, AVI video converter factory, MPEG video converter, 3GP video converter, go to their website.

Pro/Premium: $30. License offers: HD video support, 50x up speed conversion, free upgrades and tech support.

TVC is a powerful converter for Windows and MacOS that goes far beyond than convert from MP4, convert from 3GP, convert from DIVX, etc. Here’s what one can do with it: convert all types of videos from one format to another, convert videos to mobile videos, create a video from photo slideshow, rip DVD to videos, merge several video file and audio files into one video file.

Pro/Premium: $30. License offers: Lifetime license, regular upgrades, tech support.

Performance tests

And a cherry on top of it all – performance comparison. We conducted 5 basic tests on conversion speed (MP4 to AVI), compression size (MP4 to FLV), conversion to GIF, extracting audio, and file merging. See details in the table.

Finally, a couple of general summaries in relation to best free video converters:

• Hamster and FormatFactory are totally free forever to use
• Any Video Converter and Free HD factory demonstrated the fastest conversion performance
• Movavi, Xilisoft and Wondershare have great extra functionality, as media converters
• Total Video Converter, Movavi, Xilisoft and Wondershare have MacOS versions
• Any Video Converter and FormatFactory offer the widest range of presets

FAQ

Q: What is a codec?
A: This is the principle of video file encoding. In most cases, it is directly tied to quality and size of the file. For example, an MP3 audio file will have smaller size, but with much worse sound quality than audio in WAV.

Q: What's the difference between file format and codec?
A: The format determines file content for the players (number of audio tracks, subtitles, meta data and other). And the codec determines the principle by which this content can be played.

Q: What is a scheduler in video converters for?
A: It gives a possibility to schedule a shutdown of a program or computer when conversion is finished. It is very helpful to perform conversion when a PC is not required for other operations (for example, at night).

Q: How to use files merging in video converters?
A: You can merge video just in a few steps: 1) activate the Merge video function in your video converter; 2) add at least 2 video files to the converter; 3) set the desired playback order and output format; 4) start the conversion.

Q: How to convert video to MP4?
A: Almost all modern video converters support MP4, the main difference is only in the availability of outgoing conversion formats. To convert MP4, click Add and add your video file to the project library, then set-up conversion settings and start it.

Q: Is the use of video converters legal?
A: Yes, if you use it only for personal purposes. If you are converting a video that may be protected by copyright, we recommend you ask the copyright owner for a permission. Another little note - converting a movie from an officially purchased disc to any other format is illegal in the United States and Europe.

Q: Is converting sound clips from YouTube legal?
A: Downloading and converting any copyrighted video from YouTube is illegal. Also, downloading any YouTube video will be interpreted as a violation of YouTube's Terms of Use. This is not a criminal offense, but may lead to the suspension of your account.

Q: Which video converter can be used on Windows 10?
A: All video converters in this review are compatible with Windows 10, including Any Video Converter and Wondershare Video Converter.

Q: Can I convert a video file to an audio file?
A: Yes, but the file will not contain video and subtitles.

Q: What video format is proper for smartphones?
A: The appropriate format depends on the phone model, for old models 3GP is the most suitable. New ones support a large number of formats, but the most popular is MP4.

Q: Are there any video converters for Android?
A: Yes, here are some of them: Video Format Factory, VidCompact, Vidsoftlab Video Converter.

Q: Which video converter is the fastest?
A: The conversion speed depends on the characteristics of the equipment.

Q: How to reduce file size using video converter?
A: For audio files, the easiest way is to convert to MP3, for video files, reduce the resolution of the video (and in some cases) use a codec with better video compression (for example MPEG).

Q: Is Any Video Converter safe?
A: Yes, Any Video Converter has successfully passed the safety test.

Q: How to use online video converters?
A: It works like a conventional video converter: upload, configure, convert.

Q: Is Freemake video converter free?
A: Yes, it is free and safe to use. Its main disadvantage is that watermark can be disabled only in the paid version.

Q: Are online video converters safe?
A: We do not recommend using online video converter for private or confident content.

Q: How to speed up video conversion?
A: Depending on the converter, hardware acceleration and use a few processor cores may be available to speed up the process. Please also take into account the fact that in free versions the execution time of an operation is often artificially slowed down to stimulate the purchase of a paid version of the program.