15 Best Free Video Converters for a Mac [2024]

So, you’ve made a really cool video. You’ve taken the time to edit it and add professional titles and transitions. You can’t wait to share it – but when you try to publish it to YouTube or TikTok, something goes wrong. You need to convert your video to the right format to share it on multiple platforms and devices. So, what’s your best option? How can you choose the best video converter for Mac that will let you do everything you need to share your video with the world? Let’s explore top choices for video editor and video encoder for Mac users.

Best for: fast batch conversion

OS: macOS X 10.13 or higher, Windows

Our editors’ pick from all 15 of the options for the best video converter for Mac is Movavi Video Converter. With nearly 200 file format conversion options, a built-in video editor, and video compression capabilities, Movavi Video Converter is user-friendly and intuitive for beginners and pros. But you don’t have to take our word for it. TopTenReviews noted Movavi’s exceptional speed and quality, along with a wide range of customization capabilities and tools. And you can’t beat Movavi’s speed. As Top Ten Reviews said, “This program is the fastest converter we tested.” So, if you’re looking for a fast converter that supports all the file formats you need to use, and you’d like access to editing tools in the same app, Movavi Video Converter is our top recommendation.

Go the TopTenReviews website

Best for: users looking for one of the fastest video converters for Mac or Windows.

OS: macOS Mojave and older, Windows

Review by Lifewire

MPEG Streamclip is one of the best programs available for video conversion for Mac or Windows. It combines conversion features and doubles as a video player, editor, and encoder.

When editing, you have the ability to set your in and out points and cut and trim the video to set things up exactly as you want. For exporting, you can choose from a number of high-quality formats that allow you to put out professional-quality videos with ease.

Most importantly, the program supports a wide range of file formats like MP4, DV, AVI, DAT, TS, MOV, and many, many more. Many reviewers list it as one of the best MP4 converters for Mac or Windows.

Best for: converting videos between common formats and streaming high-definition video

OS: macOS X 10.8 or higher, Windows

CNET rating: 3.6/5.0

DivX Video Converter is a drag-and-drop media converter for Macs that provides an intuitive way to convert video files between the most popular formats. Supported formats include HEVC, DivX, H.264, AVI, MP4, and MKV. If you’re looking for a way to optimize video files to play on iPads or iPhones, DivX Video Converter may be a good option. The free version also comes with DivX Video Player and DivX Media Server. However, not all features are available in this version. To backup DVDs and access videos directly from Google Drive, you’ll need to buy the pro version. Other advanced features that require purchase include workflow optimization and editing tools, such as trim.

Best for: batch conversion of multiple video or image files at once

OS: macOS X 10.13 or higher

MacUpdate rating: 3.4/5.0

Permute is a movie converter for a Mac that lets users convert batches of video or image files to a different file format at once. While you can’t change video settings, you can drag and drop files into Permute to convert them to the file format of your choice. The software supports most popular file formats and a few not-so-popular formats, as well. Users report that it’s easy to use, even for beginners, and it will automatically detect files’ existing formats and available formats for conversion. However, while the interface is easy to use, the designers and developers didn’t spend much time on the appearance of the user interface. Some users have said it looks barely more modern than old MS DOS screens. Users interested in a sleek design may not enjoy this basic UI, but others say it’s easy to adjust to and user-friendly. The main challenges for Permute lie in issues with video quality and audio syncing.

Best for: converting large or small videos into multiple formats with basic editing features

OS: macOS X 10.13 or higher, Windows, Linux

TechRadar rating: 4.0/5.0

HandBrake is an open-source video converter for a Mac for free use. Software like this can be tricky, as there’s no professional support available. However, the volunteers who built this video file converter for a Mac, PC, and Linux – along with other experts – are often active on Reddit and other message boards when questions arise. Users can usually find answers to common questions about the best video converter for Mac and issues with HandBrake with a quick Google search. For users accustomed to working with the ups and downs of freeware, HandBrake offers an effective means to convert video files into multiple formats. However, if you’re more accustomed to using software with active customer support, this may not be the right option for you. HandBrake is also recommended for experienced video creators who’ve worked with video conversion software before, as the interface is not very intuitive and can be difficult to get used to.

Best for: extracting video files directly from DVDs for editing and online publishing

OS: macOS X 10.9 or higher, Windows

CNET rating: 3.3/5.0

Prism Video Converter is a freeware download video file and DVD converter for Mac. This user-friendly software can extract a video file directly from a DVD to create a video clip that you can edit and play back on your computer, or upload to video-sharing platforms like YouTube or Instagram. If you’re using a MacBook or MacBook Pro, and you want a Mac video converter, this freeware platform could be an option. While Prism Video Converter is free, it also has paid versions that include more options and features. If you’re using this Mac video converter freeware, though, you should be aware that you’ll have to deal with a pop-up that asks you to confirm that you are not using the software for commercial purposes every time you convert a video. The paid versions are affordable enough that many users will opt to pay just to avoid the pop-up.

Best for: converting video files for mobile use on Mac, iOS, and Android devices

OS: mac OS X 10.6 or higher, Windows, Linux

Wired rating: 3.4/5.0

Miro Video Converter is one of the more intuitive and attractive media converters for a Mac, iOS, and Android. This 100% free, open-source software is specifically designed to help video creators convert their video files for online use in almost any browser. It’s particularly useful in file conversions for mobile devices. User reviews state that the software is intuitive, supports most file formats, and is faster than many other MP4 converters for a Mac. However, this may not be the best video converter for Mac or Android users, as users report multiple broken links on the developer’s site and difficulty downloading the app. Some users have even speculated that the developers may have abandoned Miro Video Converter. With no support available, users will need to be resourceful and wary of bugs and other issues with the app.

Best for: batch conversions of video and/or audio files to or from MP4, MOV, MP3, and DVD

OS: macOS X 10.11-11, Windows

CNET rating: 3.2/5.0

Wondershare Free Video Converter is one of many free Mac video converters available online today. While many MP4 converters for a Mac focus on video and image files only, Wondershare Free Video Converter includes audio file conversion options, as well. Supported device formats for this video file converter for a Mac include iPhone, iPad, smart TVs, Xbox, and Blackberry, among others. Users report that Wondershare performs exceptionally well when it works, but your mileage may vary. Some users have had issues with slow conversion times and poor customer service. The software is free to download, but you’ll need to get the full paid version if you want to convert larger files. The free version sets a 200 MB limit on file size.

Best for: converting videos from VOB to MP4, MPEG, and other formats for free

OS: macOS X 10.7 or or higher

MacUpdate rating: 3.9/5.0

FFmpegX is an open-source Mac video converter for free use. Free video converters often come with a paid version, but FFmpegX is purely freeware – and comes with the challenges of many open-source applications. With that in mind, this robust video converter is a good option for seasoned video creators but may not be the best free video converter for a Mac for beginners. If you are comfortable with the user interface and with troubleshooting your own software, you may enjoy the numerous file formats supported by FFmpegX, along with transcoding and Mac video encoder tools. If you haven’t spent much time on message boards or poking around in the code behind the GUI, you may want to opt for another video conversion app that comes with more support and guidance.

Best for: converting video files to several outputs. Best for expert users.

OS: macOS X 10.7.5 or higher, Windows, Linux

TechRadar rating: 4.5/5.0

VLC is a freeware media player and video conversion software for Mac, PC, and Linux. Like a lot of freeware, this open-source platform boasts a lot of editing and video conversion capabilities, but it may not be the best video converter for a Mac for beginners. The user interface is not very intuitive, and there’s not much support available. If you’re comfortable with fixing bugs, downloading codecs, and getting into the more technical side of a free AVI converter for a Mac, VLC is probably right for you. Be aware that you may need to check for the right codecs for your video files on your computer, and you might end up spending a lot of time on message boards to figure out how to convert videos effectively if something goes wrong.

Best for: streaming videos and converting video files for Mac

OS: all Mac OS X versions, Windows

CNET rating: 3.0/5.0

QuickTime Player is a video player and free movie converter for Macs. All Mac OS X computers come with QuickTime Player as a native app. Even if your laptop or desktop does not already have QuickTime Player, you can get a free download and use this version for playing back videos or converting video files to most formats. Users have reported, though, that the free version is very limited, and most features are reserved for the full version. Some reviews have pointed out that QuickTime was once the frontrunner of video streaming and conversion technology, but it hasn’t kept up with advances in the field. It’s a useful tool, but we’re not sure it’s the very best free video converter for Mac. At the same time, users who are accustomed to Mac and have been using QuickTime for years will enjoy that the interface continues to be very user-friendly. If you’re a Mac user with limited needs for video conversion, QuickTime Player could be a solution for you.

Best for: downloading videos online, converting and compressing numerous file formats

OS: macOS X 10.6 or higher, Windows

Trustpilot rating: 4.8/5.0

MacX Video Converter is a free download Mac MP4 converter with a trial period that lets you get a feel for the software before you decide to purchase the full version. Users have reported that MacX Video Converter’s customer support team is highly responsive and can fix issues with the software quickly and easily – which is a significant bonus for many users. Some video creators have also enjoyed MacX Video Converter’s quick conversion times and the quality retention when using it to compress video files. In terms of a good HD video converter for Mac, this software is very popular and users have few complaints. The trial period is limited, though, and you won’t get all of the features of the full version until you decide to purchase it. This makes it difficult for some users to commit, as they don’t get a chance to try out some of the more attractive paid features before purchase.

Best for: users looking for an easy online conversion tool up to 1 GB

OS: any, works online

FreeConvert.com is an online video conversion tool that – as the name says – is totally free. It’s a simple tool that’s fast and secure as videos delete from their servers after 2 hours. They’re also protected by SSL encryption at 256 bits.

The program supports over 60 popular file formats. You just choose a file – from your device, Dropbox, GoogleDrive, or a URL – select the format, and click Convert.

Users can also customize conversions by clicking the Advanced Options button. There you can choose different codecs, resolutions, aspect ratios, and frame rates. You can also rotate or flip a video and add subtitles.

Last, the program also has some trimming options by timestamp and fade your audio in and out. This is a great option for anyone who doesn’t want to download a program and only has a single video file to convert under 1 GB.

Best for: easy online video conversions for Mac or PC

OS: any, works online

Another online tool, Convertio lets users drag and drop videos into its browser app for conversion. The user interface is simple, and converting a video file to almost any popular format is quick and easy with Convertio. With that said, some users have had challenges with the quality of a few of the file formats available in Convertio. Before you commit to this browser app, be sure that it excels in the file formats that you want to use. Further, it also has a smaller file size limit than other video file converters for a Mac – limiting users to 100 MB file conversions unless they opt for the paid version. Users also specifically point out challenges with Convertio’s YouTube converter functionality. So, if you need to convert a file that’s more than 100 MB or you’re converting files to share on YouTube, this might not be the right software for you.

Best for: converting small-to-medium sized video files to multiple file formats online for free

OS: any, works online

CloudConvert is an interesting contender among the best Mac video converters. Like Convertio, it works for Mac, PC, and other operating systems because it functions in your browser, not on your desktop or laptop. The free version is limited to 25 conversions per day, which is plenty for many users, but it comes with other functionality limitations, too. So, be sure that the free version will do what you need before choosing this converter. Unlike other applications with paid versions, however, users have control over which features they want to pay for. If you want access to more conversions or larger file sizes, you can pay for those tools and ignore features that don’t serve you. Pricing starts at about $8 per feature per month. This can be a good deal for users who don’t need a lot of functionality, but paying for features à la carte can add up quickly. With all that in mind, CloudConvert doesn’t always perform well with larger files. It also requires an excellent internet connection and will take up a significant amount of bandwidth when converting.

Hopefully, this article has given you the information you need to compare and contrast your options for video converting on a Mac. As you absorb all the pros and cons, as well as other details about these applications, here are a few tips to help guide you through the actual decision about the best Mac video converter for you. Keep these things in mind, and you’ll have a clear roadmap for which software to choose:

• Is it user-friendly? Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, remember that you may be using your chosen DVD converter for a Mac on a regular basis. If it’s not user-friendly, you could be in for longer conversion times and more trouble with video converting. Mac users appreciate intuitive, streamlined applications – your video converter should be no exception.
• Does it have the features you need? Some of the applications listed here have a robust list of features, but they’re only available in the paid version. With that in mind, you may not actually need all of the features in the full version. Look at what’s available at the price you’re comfortable with paying.
• Does it support the file formats you need? If you’re looking to compress files or you need a Mac video encoder, be sure that the software you choose supports what you need to do.
• Can you access help if something goes wrong? Finally, if the software stops working or if you have a problem with an HD video converter for Mac, you need to know that you’ll be able to reach customer support – or that there are available tutorials and documentation to help. Without support or educational materials, you could end up with a converter that doesn’t do the job.

Use these tips as a guide as you navigate the media and video converters available for Mac and PC. If you consider your needs and goals for your video project, you can compare and contrast video converters, their features, and how well they’ll work to help you convert your videos to the appropriate formats to back them up and/or share them on any device.