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Media Converters For Mac

The vast selection of free 3rd party applications available for Mac OS X always surprises people when they’re new to the platform. Among that abundance of software is a collection of free Mac video converters which can cover nearly any situation you could find yourself in.

So you’re sitting there with a video file you can’t use because it’s stuck in a format not recognizable by the editing program you’re using. Bummer, right? Don’t go looking for an expensive piece of software you may only use a handful of times. Instead, take a look at these 6 Mac video conversion tools which are completely free and surprisingly full-featured.

1. HandBrake

Originally only a DVD ripping tool, Handbrake evolved into more of a universal video converter with its most recent release. Now it can handle pretty much anything you throw at it and then spit it back out in a new format. It’s well-polished, solid, reliable, and just an overall pleasure to use. Yes, I’m groveling so go and check it out.

Version 0.9.3 compatible with Mac OS X 10.5

2. ffmpegX

Aimersoft Total Media Converter for Mac is a fast video converter and DVD ripper that lets you convert video or DVD to any regular video/audio format like MP4, MOV, M4V, AVI, WMV, FLV, MP3, WMA, OGG, AAC, etc. ITunes DRM Media Converter Mac iTunes DRM removal, M4V converter, iTunes movie converter Ondesoft iTunes DRM Media Converter for Mac - Best iTunes video DRM removal tool to convert DRM protected iTunes movies, TV shows and Music Videos to DRM-free MP4. Ondesoft DRM Media Converter helps you easily remove DRM from iTunes movies/TV shows.

The great thing about ffmpegX is that it’s based on a large collection of Unix tools which give it excellent power and flexibility, plus it’s wrapped in a simple drag and drop interface. The variety of formats it supports is quite extensive and the level of customization it offers is almost too much. That is, if there was such a thing.

Version 0.0.9y compatible with Mac OS X 10.2

3. MPEG Streamclip

Drag your video clip into the window and export to your chosen format — that’s all there is to it with MPEG Streamclip. If you require some extra control over the final product, there are a ton of options for that too. Is it a pretty program? No. Is it functional? Oh yeah.

Version 1.9.2 compatible with Mac OS X 10.2

4. Prism Video Converter

If you’re a beginner who’s easily confused by all the crazy settings that flood some other Mac video converters, Prism might be a relief for you. No, it doesn’t offer quite as much format support as competing software does, but sometimes simplicity overrules feature set.

Version 1.28 compatible with Mac OS X 10.2

5. iSquint

Sadly, development on iSquint has been discontinued, at least in its current form. The good news is you can still get your hands on this helpful utility and it continues to work great at converting videos for iTunes. Eventually a new version will be released under a new name (it’s in open source development at the moment), but in the meantime you can enjoy all of its current benefits.

Version 1.5.2 compatible with Mac OS X 10.3

6. FLV2iTunes

Even though FLV2iTunes is quite a bit different than the other programs in this list, I still feel like it deserves a place here. Its name suggests it only supports .FLV files, but that is not the case. It can take a number of video formats and convert them into an iTunes-friendly codec. Not only that, it can import your video directly into iTunes itself after it’s done converting.

Version 0.9.11 compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 (older version supports 10.4)

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.

LicensePlatformsLanguagesInstaller Disk spaceVideo presetsEffects
WondershareTrialWindows, MacOS9106 mb321 Mb3218
FreemakeFree, watermarkWindows1838 Mb90 Mb20n/a
XilisoftTrial, 3 min.limitWindows, MacOS937 Mb124 Mb6014
HamsterFreeWindows326.5 Mb17 Mb6n/a
Format FactoryFreeWindows6464 Mb144 Mb55n/a
Any Video ConverterTrial, 3 min.limitWindows2647 Mb148 Mb323
Free HD Trial, 3 min.limitWindows176 Mb212 Mb21n/a
WinX HD Fre, TrialWindows, Mac653 Mb125 Mb17n/a
Wise Trial, 30 min.limitWindows3816 Mb50 Mb31
Total Video Converter15-day trialWindows, MacOS1015 Mb52 Mb2415
Movavi 7-day trial, watermarkWindows, MacOS1533 Mb273 Mb2211

As you may see, our top-10 free video converters include: Freemake Video Converter, Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate, Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate, 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. 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 through the chase.

1. Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate

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.

  • Pros:
  • Scheduler available
  • Built-in media server
  • Support of numerous devices
  • Cons:
  • Video length limit
  • Editing not available in free
  • Limited conversion speed

Pro/Premium: $50. License offers: Download and record video from sites, GIF convertor, no files length limit, metadata editor.

2. Freemake Video Converter

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 18 menu languages, 20 video presets. Note: Freemake puts a watermark on output videos.

  • Pros:
  • Quick preset selection menu
  • Internet services integration
  • Working with DVD videos

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

3. Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate

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 60 presets – the highest number of all paid video converter tools, 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.

  • Pros:
  • Instant output size calculation
  • 3D conversion
  • Good PC resources load
  • Cons:
  • Saving only in preset sizes
  • 3-minutes video length limit
  • Frequent license reminders

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

4. Hamster Free Video Converter

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.

  • Pros:
  • Little space on hard drive
  • No ads
  • Free software
  • Cons:
  • No scheduler
  • Few file formats supported
  • No progress display

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

5. Format Factory

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. 62 menu languages available.

  • Pros:
  • Free video converter software
  • Supports popular image formats
  • No ads
  • Cons:
  • No custom size for videos
  • Intensive on PC resources
  • No effects for videos

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

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6. Any Video Converter Ultimate

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.

  • Pros:
  • Built-in player
  • A library of mobile presets
  • Converting from URL
  • Cons:
  • Video time limit
  • Ads inside the program
  • Not saving video size

Pro/Premium: $70. License offers: Download and record video from sites, tech support, upgrades, no time limits.

7. Free HD Video Converter Factory

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.

  • Pros:
  • No ads
  • Easy presets sorting
  • Affordable license price
  • Cons:
  • Only 1 menu language
  • No video effects
  • Conversion speed limited

Pro/Premium: $20. License offers: HD video support, 50x up speed conversion, free upgrades and tech support.

Media Converter For Mac Youtube

8. Winx HD Video Converter Deluxe

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.

  • Pros:
  • 480+ presets
  • 24 codecs for audio and video
  • Merging and trimming files
  • Cons:
  • Lack of interface customization
  • No offline help materials

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

9. Wise Video Converter

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.

  • Pros:
  • A portable version
  • Simple and intuitive
  • Built-in video player
  • Cons:
  • Only few presets
  • Time limit in free version
  • No video effects

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

10. Total Video Converter

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.

  • Pros:
  • Built-in video player
  • Large library of presets
  • Full functionality in trial
  • Cons:
  • Intensive on PC resources
  • Not saving video size
  • No conversion scheduler

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

11. Movavi Video Converter

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.

  • Pros:
  • Support for images/audio
  • Affordable license price
  • No ads
  • Cons:
  • Video editor blocked in trial
  • Video length limit
  • Free version with a watermark

Pro/Premium: $14. License offers: No limits for video, video editor, tech support.

Performance tests

Best Free Media Converters

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.

Speed,
30s MP4 to AVI
Compression,
3m MP4 to FLV
GIF,
1m AVI to GIF
Extract audio,
3m MP4 to MP3
Merging,
AVI+WMV to MP4
Freemake02:5217 Mbn/an/a03:02
Xilisoft00:387.88 Mb00:0900:1802:19
Wondershare00:571/3 file length limitn/a1/3 file length limit1/3 file length limit
Hamster03:02n/an/a00:0903:04
Format Factory01:098,89 Mb00:5000:0600:22
Any Video Converter00:1212,6 Mb00:2900:1400:20
Free HD00:34n/an/a00:14n/a
WinX HD00:4713,9 Mbn/a00:0601:57
Wise01:1013,9 Mbn/an/an/a
Total Video Converter02:5310,6 Mb00:1700:06n/a
Movavi 01:041/2 file length limit00:311/2 file length limit00:41

Best Free Media Converter Download

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

Media Converter For Macbook

  • 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