The Best Free HandBrake AlternativesTop Video & Audio Converters like HandBrake

The best free alternative to HandBrake is FFmpeg, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to HandBrake and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to HandBrake are Shutter Encoder, Avidemux, File Converter and VidCoder.

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HandBrake alternatives are mainly Video Converters, but if you're looking for Audio Converters or Video Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, Google Chrome, Windows + Open Source and DVD Ripper. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to HandBrake.

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HandBrake alternatives page was last updated Jan 24, 2026

FFmpeg
689 likes
Comprehensive multimedia framework for decoding, encoding, transcoding, muxing, demuxing, streaming, filtering, and playback of nearly any audio or video format, with command-line tools, integrated libraries, portable code, and regular security updates for users and developers.
107 FFmpeg alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (LGPL-2.1)
Application types
Audio Converter
Video Converter
Origin
International
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
+1
Is FFmpeg a good alternative to HandBrake?

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5comments
FFmpeg vs HandBrake Comments

Top Positive Comment
5247009
Jan 18, 2016
12
FFmpeg allows you to transcode videos through the command line. Besides, it's what HandBrake uses/used as its backend.
Top Negative Comment
BarnMTB
May 23, 2022
5
While FFmpeg can convert files, you need to use it with command line interface; unlike HandBrake which provides a graphical interface. It's better suited to be used as a part of an application rather than on its own, unless you're comfortable with typing commands.
Third Opinion
Positive commentMar 25, 2025
0
Hard to use as it comes with a gazillion of switches... but that's just another reason to love it.

Unfortunately, the lack of any good GUI takes a big toll on your happiness... but fantastic for batch jobs.
3 of 5 comments
FFmpeg is Free and Open SourceHandBrake is also Free and Open Source
FFmpeg is Customizable and Privacy focusedHandBrake is not according to our users
Shutter Encoder
72 likes
Shutter Encoder is a free professional encoding and conversion software for everyone, developed with video editors.
193 Shutter Encoder alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application types
Video Converter
Audio Converter
Origin
United Kingdom
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
AppImageHub
Homebrew
+4
Is Shutter Encoder a good alternative to HandBrake?

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5comments
Shutter Encoder vs HandBrake Comments

Top Positive Comment
Paul
Nov 4, 2022
3
Really good alternative with a nice and easy-to-use interface. Great free and open source alternative to Handbrake.
bigbigboy
Positive commentJan 7, 2024
0
has great support for hardware acceleration
Oktay Mercan
Positive commentJun 2, 2023
0
because supporting GPU AV1 Encode. Plus Batch job.
3 of 5 comments
Shutter Encoder is Free and Open SourceHandBrake is also Free and Open Source
Avidemux
658 likes
Linear video editor supporting basic cutting, filtering, encoding, batch scripting, and many formats; ideal for single-file edits, trimming, re-encoding, and simple cleanup but not for multi-track or montage projects requiring nonlinear editing capabilities.
161 Avidemux alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
Video Editor
Origin
France
EU
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
+4
Is Avidemux a good alternative to HandBrake?

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1comment
Avidemux vs HandBrake Comments

Third Opinion
Positive commentMar 25, 2025
0
Quick and easy but still allows in-depth changes (codecs/filters).

Old, reliable, works anywhere!
Avidemux is Free and Open SourceHandBrake is also Free and Open Source
Ad
Tipard Video Converter
Tipard Video Converter can convert any video to MP4, AVI, MOV, M4V, WAV, MKV, TS, etc. and more. Besides, it enables you to convert any video to 1080p HD video. Meanwhile, it can rotate video direction and enhance video quality.

https://www.tipard.com
Learn More
File Converter
163 likes
File Converter is a very simple tool which allows you to convert and compress one or several file(s) using the context menu in Windows Explorer.
300 File Converter alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application types
Video Converter
Audio Converter
Origin
France
EU
Platforms
Windows
File Explorer
Is File Converter a good alternative to HandBrake?

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3comments
File Converter vs HandBrake Comments

carlosvgonzalez
Negative commentApr 18, 2020
1
File Converter is not Quicker in any form, it's very limited actually, not even comparable with Hanbrake, it does not offer hardware based encoding or even low sound bitrates for example ...
history_undo
Negative commentSep 30, 2023
0
A good project but not a good alternative as it has very few features in common with HandBrake.
Sascha Smit
Positive commentMar 22, 2020
-3
File Coverter is quicker and also supports photo files
File Converter is Free and Open SourceHandBrake is also Free and Open Source
VidCoder
84 likes
VidCoder is a DVD/Blu-ray ripping and video transcoding application for Windows. It uses HandBrake as its encoding engine.
122 VidCoder alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (GPL-2.0)
Application types
Video Converter
DVD Ripper
Origin
United States
Platforms
Windows
+1
Is VidCoder a good alternative to HandBrake?

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5comments
VidCoder vs HandBrake Comments

Top Positive Comment
Nightcall
Jul 25, 2021
0
You can select the files, not the whole folder. Supports drag & drop.
snintendog
Positive commentDec 29, 2023
0
It allows Batch Convertin and You can Batch to Presets with a simple menu change and drag andropping the next Folder/Files to do. It wont Touch Blurays but DVDs can be Taken. Make MKV is a good Partner Program.
vposud2
Positive commentFeb 6, 2023
0
Updated more often and has a better interface in my opinion.
3 of 5 comments
VidCoder is Free and Open SourceHandBrake is also Free and Open Source
Video Compression
63 likes
Compress Videos for Free. Forever. Say goodbye to bulky files! Crush video sizes by 90% with no quality loss, even offline. And the best part? It's free!.
72 Video Compression alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (MIT)
Application type
Video Converter
Origin
International
Platforms
Online
Is Video Compression a good alternative to HandBrake?
XMedia Recode
120 likes
Supports conversion of a wide range of audio and video formats, batch processing, basic editing such as cutting, cropping, and color correction, device presets, direct stream copy, bitrate calculator for file size control, and processing of unprotected DVDs only.
122 XMedia Recode alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application types
Video Converter
Audio Converter
Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
Windows
+9
Is XMedia Recode a good alternative to HandBrake?

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3comments
XMedia Recode vs HandBrake Comments

JohnDangerbrooks
Positive commentFeb 20, 2023
0
I like XMedia Recode as an alternative to HandBrake because XMedia Recode offers a much better UI. While both apps are great in most respects, HandBrake's UI leaves much to be desired.
Guest
Positive commentDec 28, 2016
4
It allows more customization, f.e. choose the aspect ratio.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Guest
Positive commentSep 5, 2017
-5
Its Next To HandBrake Because It Lacks Only File Compression
Review by a new / low-activity user.
XMedia Recode is Free and ProprietaryHandBrake is Free and Open Source
Format Factory
225 likes
Format Factory is a multifunctional media converter and ripper offering video, audio, and image conversion. It rips DVDs and CDs, handles PDF and archives, supports diverse formats, and includes a screen recorder. Optimized for various devices and easy to use.
278 Format Factory alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application types
Video Converter
Audio Converter
Origin
China
Alerts
Warning
Platforms
Windows
+4
Is Format Factory a good alternative to HandBrake?

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1comment
Format Factory vs HandBrake Comments

BarnMTB
Positive commentMay 16, 2021
0
Handbrake and Format Factory are both file converter programs that can be used with a mouse pointer without going through command-line interface.
Format Factory is Free and ProprietaryHandBrake is Free and Open Source
MakeMKV
133 likes
Rip DVD and Blu-Ray discs to MKV format with lossless preservation of video, audio, chapters, and subtitles. Supports decryption of protected discs, multi-track selection, and streaming output. Retains original quality and meta-data for personal backups.
73 MakeMKV alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application types
DVD Ripper
Video Converter
Origin
Russia
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Kodi
+1
Is MakeMKV a good alternative to HandBrake?

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4comments
MakeMKV vs HandBrake Comments

Guest
Negative commentFeb 12, 2018
6
MakeMKV is more for ripping commercial discs
Review by a new / low-activity user.
LinuxDoge
Positive commentDec 24, 2022
1
Good base. The resulting MKVs arent great, but it works for ripping DVDs. Handbrake then can focus on reducing the filesize and removing letterboxing (black bars at the edges). It sucks that Handbrake can't really rip DVDs, but these two Programs work together well.
Guest
Negative commentMar 22, 2021
-1
It's just not as functional
Review by a new / low-activity user.
3 of 4 comments
MakeMKV is Freemium and ProprietaryHandBrake is Free and Open Source
FFmpeg Batch A/V Converter
16 likes
A Windows front-end for ffmpeg users, that allows to use the full potential of ffmpeg command line with a few mouse clicks in a convenient GUI with drag and drop, file details, progress information.
29 FFmpeg Batch A/V Converter alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application types
Video Converter
Audio Converter
Origin
Spain
EU
Platforms
Windows
+1
Is this a good alternative to HandBrake?
StaxRip
44 likes
StaxRip is a video encoding app for Windows with a unrivaled feature set and usability.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (MIT)
Application type
Video Converter
Platforms
Windows
+9
Is StaxRip a good alternative to HandBrake?

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1comment
StaxRip vs HandBrake Comments

ner0
Positive commentOct 12, 2019
0
Cool GUI, user-friendly, literally a swiss army knife with various utilities.
StaxRip is Free and Open SourceHandBrake is also Free and Open Source
Online Convert
42 likes
Convert files like images, videos, documents, audio and more to other formats with this free and fast online converter.
192 Online Convert alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application types
Video Converter
Audio Converter
Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
Online
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Android
Android Tablet
iPhone
iPad
Is Online Convert a good alternative to HandBrake?

12 of 149 HandBrake alternatives

The Best Free HandBrake AlternativesTop Video & Audio Converters like HandBrake

Alternatives list

FFmpeg

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FFmpeg vs HandBrake Comments

Shutter Encoder

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Shutter Encoder vs HandBrake Comments

Avidemux

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Avidemux vs HandBrake Comments

File Converter

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File Converter vs HandBrake Comments

VidCoder

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VidCoder vs HandBrake Comments

Video Compression

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XMedia Recode

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Format Factory

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MakeMKV

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MakeMKV vs HandBrake Comments

FFmpeg Batch A/V Converter

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StaxRip

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Online Convert

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