10 Best Free Video Converters of 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

You are certainly here because you need to convert your videos. As media consumption and creation are at an all-time high, video conversion is one of the most sought-after solutions.

And it doesn't matter what device or platform you use; video converters are essential tools to have in your arsenal.  They allow you to convert your videos into different formats, resolutions, and sizes, making it easier for you to play them on various devices or share them with others.

Before diving into the list of the best free video converters, let's first discuss file formats and reasons to convert your videos.

Why Do Different File Formats Exist?

Starting with the basics—why do we have different video formats? Each format, like MP4, AVI, or MKV, comes with its set of characteristics. These include compression rates, quality retention, and compatibility with devices and platforms. Some formats excel in maintaining high-definition quality, while others are more suited for streaming or conserving storage space.

For example, AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is a popular format used for storing video and audio data, while MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a widely accepted format supported by most devices and platforms. 

So, you have a video in a particular format. Why would you use a desktop or online video converter to compress or switch it to a different format?

Reasons to Convert Your Videos

1. Compatibility: As mentioned earlier, different devices and platforms support different video formats. To ensure cross-device compatibility, you may need to convert your videos into a more widely accepted format. 
2. File size reduction: Some video formats can be massive, making it difficult to share or store them. Converting your videos into a more compressed format can significantly reduce their file size without compromising much on quality.
3. Editing requirements: Some video editing software may only support specific formats. In such cases, seamless video editing is only possible after converting your videos into the supported format.
4. High-quality playback: Not all devices support high-quality video playback, especially if they have older hardware. Converting your videos into a lower resolution or compatible format can ensure smooth playback on any device.
5. Sharing media: Whether it's through email, social media, or messaging apps, sharing videos with others can sometimes be limited by the file size, format, or else. Video conversion can make sharing hassle-free and convenient. 

Top 10 Free Video Converters

Now that you know why video conversion is necessary, let's get to the most interesting part. Whether you need to convert MP4 or any other format, here are the ten best free video converters of 2024:

1. Movavi Video Converter

Sick and tired of clunky, complicated software where every step feels like a hassle? Say hello to Movavi Video Converter, the ultimate user-friendly video converter for Mac and Windows. 

The interface is clear, with every step being intuitive. The program supports over 180 formats and provides batch processing for simultaneous conversion, premade format, device presets, and basic editing before the export.

Pros:

• Beginner-friendly UI

• Convert video, audio, and images

• Hardware acceleration for faster processing

• AI Upscaling feature to improve low-quality footage

Cons:

• Free trial version includes a watermark

• Limited advanced editing options

2. Any Video Converter

No wonder why this award-winning video conversion software is among the best. As the name suggests, Any Video Converter supports almost all popular video formats. 

It offers basic video editing features and the ability to download videos from online platforms like YouTube. You can also convert video files into audio.

Pros:

• Supports over 200 video formats

• Easy to use with a drag-and-drop interface

• Fast conversion speed and high-quality output

Cons:

• Most features are only available in the Pro version

3. VLC

VLC is primarily known as a media player, but you can also use it as a decent video converter software. Yes, it's quite different from other programs on this list, but it still gets the job done.

It supports a vast range of file formats and even offers some video editing features like trimming and adding subtitles. However, the conversion process is relatively slow compared to other dedicated video converters.

Pros:

• Open-source and free-to-use

• Multi-purpose media player with conversion capabilities

• Supports various formats, including streaming protocols

Cons:

• Limited conversion capabilities

• Outdated design

• Slow conversion speed

4. MiniTool Video Converter

Just need to convert MOV to MP4 quickly? MiniTool Video Converter is a free and lightweight tool that offers fast conversion speeds.

The software supports over 1000 formats and offers GPU acceleration, which makes conversion even faster. Additional features include video downloading, screen recording with audio, and editing.

Pros:

• Quick conversion

• Huge amount of supported formats

• Can convert 4K and HD videos without quality loss

Cons:

• Free version has some limitations

5. DivX Converter

Ever heard of DivX? First appeared in the early 2000s and used by many movie studios, this file format is known for making high-quality videos much smaller.

DivX Converter can help you convert videos into DivX, HEVC, and AVC, back up DVDs, optimize playback on different devices, and more. The free version is enough to get you started, but there's also a premium version with advanced features.

Pros:

• Simple to navigate

• Different modes for speed and quality

• Advanced video and audio features

Cons:

• The full feature set requires the Pro version

6. Freemake Video Converter

Freemake Video Converter is a popular choice among users for its vast range of features and compatibility with multiple formats. The interface may look outdated, but it has an extensive list of supported file types and offers basic editing options.

This best free video converter can burn videos onto DVDs or Blu-rays, making it a handy tool for media enthusiasts. Moreover, there are presets for different devices, as well as the ability to upload converted videos directly to YouTube.

Pros:

• Over 500 popular formats

• Cut, join, or rotate videos before conversion

• Supports HD, Full HD, and 4K

Cons:

• Places a watermark on the output video

• CPU-intensive when converting large files

7. Miro Video Converter

Although it only supports a limited number of output formats, including MP4, Ogg Theora, and WebM, Miro Video Converter offers a quick and straightforward conversion process.

The interface is simple, with all necessary options visible, making it easy to use for beginners. It also supports batch conversion and has a feature for converting videos specifically for Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Pros:

• Completely free and open-source

• Simple interface

• Device-specific presets

Cons:

• Limited output formats

• Few advanced settings

8. MediaCoder

MediaCoder may not be as user-friendly as other programs on this list, but if you want a Swiss Army knife for media conversion, this video converter software is a good option. From converting video and audio to ripping DVDs, it can do it all.

For H.264/H.265 encoding, the video conversion software uses NVIDIA CUDA technology, greatly reducing conversion time. It also has video filtering options and transcoding parameters to enhance quality.

Pros:

• Wide range of features and supported formats

• High-quality output and various configuration options

• GPU acceleration for fast conversion

Cons:

• Outdated interface

• May be overwhelming for beginners

9. Prism Video Converter

Prism Video Converter provides an easy way to convert videos while maintaining high-quality output. It supports all popular formats, including MKV, AVI, MP4, FLV, etc., and up to 4K resolution.

Extra features include effects, a trim and split tool, and a video preview before conversion. The video conversion software also has quick presets for different devices like smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles.

Pros:

• Fast conversion speed and good-quality output

• User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop support

• Direct DVD conversion

Cons:

• Few supported output formats

10. HandBrake

HandBrake has been around for years and is still a popular choice among users for its features and simple interface.  It's an open-source video converter software for Linux, Mac, and Windows with advanced settings for tweaking the output.

Apart from converting videos to various formats, Handbrake also allows video resizing, cropping, filtering, and more.  However, the conversion process can be slow and resource-intensive.

Pros:

• Open-source and free-to-use

• Multi-platform support

• Advanced settings for more control over output

Cons:

• Not very beginner-friendly

• MP4 and MKV for output formats only

Conclusion

There are various video converters available, each offering unique features and capabilities. From simple conversion tools to advanced ones with multiple options, there is something for everyone's needs.

Some software may have limitations in their free versions, but it's always worth checking them out for a specific task. Overall, these best free video converters make it easy to convert videos to different formats for playback on any device. So, choose the one that suits your requirements and get converting.