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HandBrake Alternatives

HandBrake is described as 'open-source, multithreaded video transcoder – it compresses and converts digital media from one format to another. HandBrake can rip encrypted DVDs with libdvdcss (libdvdcss is installed with VLC media player on macOS, or AnyDVD/DVD 43 on Windows)' and is a leading Video Converter in the video & movies category. There are more than 100 alternatives to HandBrake for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Online / Web-based and BSD. The best alternative is FFmpeg, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like HandBrake are Avidemux, File Converter, VidCoder and XMedia Recode.

HandBrake alternatives are mainly Video Converters but may also be Audio Converters or DVD Rippers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of HandBrake.
This page was last updated
HandBrake iconHandBrake
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  • Mac
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • BSD
  • Xfce

HandBrake is an open-source, multithreaded video transcoder – it compresses and converts digital media from one format to...

Learn more about HandBrake
  1. FFmpeg icon

    FFmpeg

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    59 alternatives to FFmpeg 

    FFmpeg is the leading multimedia framework, able to decode, encode, transcode, mux, demux, stream, filter and play pretty much anything that humans and machines have created. It supports the most obscure ancient formats up to the cutting edge.

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    Features
    1.  Command line interfaceFFmpeg either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    2.  LightweightFFmpeg consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
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    FFmpeg vs HandBrake opinions
    Most users think FFmpeg is a great alternative to HandBrake.
    BarnMTB

    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.

    Negative comment• ago
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    1
    23C5DA

    FFmpeg can also transcode audio. It does everything handbrake does, if not better. However, it doesn't have a gui so it's less user friendly.

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    1
    5247009

    FFmpeg allows you to transcode videos through the command line. Besides, it's what HandBrake uses/used as its backend.

    Positive comment• ago
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    9
    choomaque

    Very versatile and swift, unless you need a batch process a bunch of files. In this case your only option is to spend hours and hours reading their documentation and/or stackoverflow posts to learn how to do what you need to do.

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  2. Avidemux icon

    Avidemux

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    128 alternatives to Avidemux 

    Free and simple video editor that supports a variety of file types and automated tasks. SIMPLE video editor, dedicated for ONE video at a time. NOT for multi video editing/montage.

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    Features
    1.  Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Avidemux, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
    2.  PortableAvidemux can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    3.  Chroma Key / Green ScreenAvidemux supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
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  4. File Converter icon

    File Converter

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    • Windows
    • Windows Explorer
    251 alternatives to File Converter 

    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.

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    Features
    1.  Windows Explorer ExtensionFile Converter can extend Windows Explorer in various ways, for example add context menu options, etc..
    2.  PortableFile Converter can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    3.  Works OfflineFile Converter can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
    Discontinued

    The last version (1.2.3) was released in 2017.

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    File Converter vs HandBrake opinions
    Most users think File Converter is a great alternative to HandBrake.
    carlosvgonzalez

    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 ...

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    1
    OPdrill

    File Coverter is quicker and also supports photo files

    Positive comment• ago
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    -3
  5. VidCoder icon

    VidCoder

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    • Windows
    • Windows S
    114 alternatives to VidCoder 

    VidCoder is a DVD/Blu-ray ripping and video transcoding application for Windows. It uses HandBrake as its encoding engine.

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    Features
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    VidCoder vs HandBrake opinions
    Almost everyone thinks VidCoder is a great alternative to HandBrake.
    Nightcall

    You can select the files, not the whole folder. Supports drag & drop.

    Positive comment• ago
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    0
    Guest

    same source with improvement

    Positive comment• ago
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    -1
    Guest

    The best freware encoder.Very fast,changing resolition is not loosing quality.Example,change dvd movie standard 720x576 to example 920x715.very quickly and is no loosing quality,just output format must be mkv or mp4.

    Positive comment• ago
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    0
  6. XMedia Recode icon

    XMedia Recode

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    • Windows
    108 alternatives to XMedia Recode 

    XMedia Recode can convert nearly all popular audio and video formats including 3GP, 3GPP, 3GPP2, AAC, AC3, AMR, ASF, AVI, AVISynth, DVD, FLAC, FLV, H.261, H.263, H.264, M4A , M1V, M2V, M4V, Matroska (MKV), MMF, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, TS, TRP, MP2, MP3, MP4, MP4V, MOV, OGG, PSP...

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    Features
    1.  PortableXMedia Recode can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    Format
    Video Size
    Main window
    XMedia Recode vs HandBrake opinions
    Most users think XMedia Recode is a great alternative to HandBrake.
    Guest

    It allows more customization, f.e. choose the aspect ratio.

    Positive comment• ago
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    3
    Guest

    Its Next To HandBrake Because It Lacks Only File Compression

    Positive comment• ago
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    -4
  8. Format Factory icon

    Format Factory

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    • Windows
    266 alternatives to Format Factory 

    Format Factory is a multifunctional media converter and DVD ripper. Its features include:

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    Features
    1.  Combine PDFCombine, merge and arrange PDF files into one document.
    Bundleware

    Be careful during the installation: https://alternativeto.net/discussions/applications/11718/be-careful-in-the-installation/

    Main user interface for version 4.0.0
    "Convert to MP4" window when the "MP4" button on the side is chosen. (Version 5.2.1)
    Screen Recorder window (Version 5.2.1)
    Format Factory vs HandBrake opinions
    Some users think Format Factory is a great alternative to HandBrake, some don't.
    BarnMTB

    Handbrake and Format Factory are both file converter programs that can be used with a mouse pointer without going through command-line interface.

    Positive comment• ago
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    0
  9. Shutter Encoder icon

    Shutter Encoder

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    171 alternatives to Shutter Encoder 

    Open source software without any restriction - converter all formats video|audio|image professionnals codecs and standards - swiss knife tool Windows and OSX.

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    Features
    1.  No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Shutter Encoder without registration.
    2.  LightweightShutter Encoder consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    3.  PortableShutter Encoder can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
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    Shutter Encoder vs HandBrake opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments
    POX

    Really good alternative with a nice and easy-to-use interface. Great free and open source alternative to Handbrake.

    Positive comment• ago
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    midnightmood

    Very similar to Handbrake. Both are free and open source, both reencode with a lot of options. Maybe you like the Shutter Encode UI better, maybe the Handbrake one. I'd try both.

    Positive comment• ago
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    Kandi

    I consider Shutter Encoder much easier and more user-friendly to use than HandBrake with larger codec support

    Positive comment• ago
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    0
  10. MakeMKV icon

    MakeMKV

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Kodi
    70 alternatives to MakeMKV 

    MakeMKV is a program designed for ripping DVD and Blu-Ray disc video. It works by decrypting proprietary discs to transfer codecs from the formats VOB and M2TS into MKV, preserving the necessary data without doing any lossy codec conversion.

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    MakeMKV vs HandBrake opinions
    This alternative is disputed. MakeMKV is still a legitimate alternative to HandBrake, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
    Guest

    MakeMKV is more for ripping commercial discs

    Negative comment• ago
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    5
    LinuxDoge

    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.

    Positive comment• ago
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    Guest

    Makemkv copies data from source. Handbrake is able to compress, change format, etc.

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    -2
    Guest

    It's just not as functional

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    0
  11. Freemake Video Converter icon

    Freemake Video Converter

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    • Windows
    327 alternatives to Freemake Video Converter 

    Freemake Video Converter is video converter that lets convert videos to avi, wmv, mp4 (iPhone, iPod, iPad, PSP, xBox), 3gp, rip dvd, extract mp3, burn DVD and Bluray, create photo slideshow and audio visualization, cut, join, rotate and upload videos, photos and music to YouTube.

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    Features
    Bundleware

    The installer contains OpenCandy. Be careful during the installation: https://alternativeto.net/discussions/applications/11718/be-careful-in-the-installation/

    Main Window
    Freemake Video Converter vs HandBrake opinions
    Some users think Freemake Video Converter is a great alternative to HandBrake, some don't.
    Guest

    It can't do much about subtitles, adjustable settings are very limited and is overall a weaker tool. Many features have been locked behind a paywall over time.

    Negative comment• ago
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    1
  12. Any Video Converter icon

    Any Video Converter

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    • Mac
    • Windows
    215 alternatives to Any Video Converter 

    AnvSoft Any Video Converter is the most renowned video converter for converting video files between various formats, with fast converting speed and excellent video quality.

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    Features
    Warning

    Pay attention and uncheck SpyHunter (unsafe) under "custom installation" during the software update.

    Screenshot
Showing 10 of 173 alternatives
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