Can’t open the MOV/AVI/MKV files on your phone? Or can’t you upload your video because the platform doesn’t support its format? Converting the video to MP4 may help!
We tested 5 popular MP4 converters online and on the desktop. Our test mainly focuses on their supported formats, video quality, ease of use, and real-world limitations. Keep reading and find the one that best suits your needs!
How We Tested MP4 Converters
Platform: Windows and macOS, and web browsers
Test File: MOV, MKV, AVI, WebM, ASF, and YouTube videos, 500 MB, 5 minutes, 1080p, H.264, 30 fps.
Overall workflow: import a video – select the MP4 format- adjust output settings – export
Testing Criteria: output quality and controls, batch conversion, speed, ease of use, and limitations
Trial limits: whether free or trial versions put limits on the output video
The Quicklist: Our Tested MP4 Converter Recommendations
| Tool | Best For | Why We Picked It |
| Tipard Video Converter Ultimate | Most users | Broad format compatibility, batch conversion ability, and flexible output controls |
| HandBrake | Advanced users | Free, open-source, and massive supported formats |
| VLC | Users who have already installed VLC | Perform basic conversion without installing another converter |
| Movavi Video Converter | Beginners | Simple interface, rich presets, and batch processing |
| CloudConvert | Quick browser conversions | No need to install software, free |
Tipard Video Converter Ultimate – Best Overall
Tipard Video Converter Ultimate is the best-value option among the 5 video-to-MP4 converters. If you are confused about which one to choose and have no specific requirements, it is your best choice.
Among its many features, we were very impressed by its broad support for various video and audio formats, from the most commonly used to the less common, including MP4, MKV, MOV, 3GP, ASF, and more. According to the official website, it supports more than 500 file formats.
Besides the broad format compatibility, its powerful output control is also worth mentioning. In this MP4 converter tool, you can adjust bitrate, resolution, frame rate, and more on your own before conversion. When you are ready to export, you can choose many presets optimized for different devices and platforms, such as iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Android, PC, and YouTube.
In terms of efficiency, this MP4 converter applies GPU acceleration for up to 120× faster speed and supports batch processing. You can convert several MP4 videos at a time quickly.
Tipard Video Converter also supports audio-related conversions. For example, it enables you to convert MP4 to MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, etc.
Best for: Users who want an all-around MP4 converter option and don’t want to compare many options.
Pros
- Even supports rare video formats.
- 120× GPU acceleration.
- Comprehensive device and platform presets.
- Support editing videos after conversion.
Cons
- Some features users may not need.
- Less advanced encoding control than HandBrake.
HandBrake – Best Free MP4 Converter
If you are an advanced user and want to manually configure the MP4 output encoding method, HandBrake may be your best choice. Rather than other features, HandBrake mainly focuses on video transcoding.
HandBrake does more than simply convert videos to MP4. It lets you control how the MP4 is encoded. With HandBrake, you are able to configure constant quality, average bitrate, resolution and dimensions, frame rate, encoder preset, and more. This flexibility is its biggest strength, but it also comes with a steep learning curve.
HandBrake is also especially suitable when you want a completely free desktop MP4 converter. It is open-source and supports Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. By the way, during our test, it performed very well converting WebM to MP4.
Best for: Users with some video encoding knowledge who want a free and open-source MP4 converter
Pros
- Completely free and open-source.
- Cross-platform support.
- Extensive encoding controls and presets.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve.
- Workflows are not beginner-friendly.
VLC – Best for Users Who Already Have It Installed
You may know VLC primarily as a media player, but it also has a built-in Convert/Save feature that can convert videos to MP4.
If VLC is already installed on your computer, you can use it for basic MP4 conversions without downloading another MP4 converter program.
VLC can convert videos to MP4, but finding the conversion option can take a little digging through the menus.
Best for: Users who already have VLC installed.
Pros
- Free.
- Convenient and quick.
Cons
- Less powerful than dedicated MP4 converters.
Movavi Video Converter – Best for Beginners
Just as we see on G2, “The program has a user-friendly UI, making it easy for beginners to access,” Movavi Video Converter is devoted to making video conversion simple. The whole process is simple and can be finished in 3 steps with ease, even if you don’t know how to encode.
Unlike VLC, where the conversion button is not obvious, or HandBrake, where the interface has numerous complex encoding settings, Movavi keeps the interface straightforward.
Moreover, this MP4 converter offers batch conversion and simple editing features, which provide greater convenience for beginners.
However, during our real-world test, the 7-day trial version will add a watermark and convert only half of the original video length.
Best for: Beginners who want a beginner-friendly MP4 converter.
Pros
- Simple and streamlined interface.
- Batch conversion.
- Basic editing and compression features.
Cons
- Free trial has limits.
CloudConvert – Best Online MP4 Converter
If you don’t want to install any MP4 converter software and find it troublesome, we recommend trying an online one. CloudConvert is a renowned Online MP4 converter. It runs directly in a browser and supports conversion to and from MP4, as well as MOV, MKV, AVI, WebM, and more.
You can adjust video resolution, quality, video codec, and file size after you have uploaded your video files. However, you need to upload videos to the cloud for online processing. Although CloudConvert states that “We do not read, look into, or mine any data from your files, and we do not make any copies of them,” we still recommend avoiding uploading videos containing sensitive or private information.
What’s more, you can only perform 10 conversions per day, and each file must be under 1 GB.
Best for: Users who don’t want to install a desktop MP4 converter.
Pros
- Online and no need to install software.
- Straightforward interface.
Cons
- Requires a network.
- Potential data safety.
- Less suitable for large videos (over 1 GB).
Final Verdict: Which MP4 Converter Should You Choose
| Tool | Platform | Batch Conversion | Output Customization | Trial |
| Tipard Video Converter Ultimate | Windows, Mac | Yes | High | Free trial available |
| HandBrake | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | Very high | Free |
| VLC | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | Moderate | Free |
| Movavi Video Converter | Windows, Mac | Yes | Moderate | 7-day trial, half-length conversion, and with watermarks |
| CloudConvert | Web | Yes | High | 10 free conversion limits per day and files should be under 1 GB. |
Tipard Video Converter Ultimate can be your no-brainer choice if you want an MP4 converter that covers most needs.
HandBrake is a trustworthy free MP4 converter with powerful encoding control.
VLC is convenient for anyone who already has it installed, since its built-in conversion feature can handle basic MP4 conversions.
If you are a beginner, we recommend Movavi Video Converter.
Choose CloudConvert when you want to convert smaller MP4 files online.
FAQs About MP4 Converters
Which is the best MP4 converter?
Tipard Video Converter Ultimate. This all-in-one MP4 converter can nearly meet all your basic needs. It combines broad format support, output customization, batch conversion, fast speed, and more.
Which is the best free MP4 converter?
We think it is HandBrake. It is open source, cross-platform, and provides extensive encoding controls.
Is there a reliable online MP4 converter?
Yes. We covered an online MP4 converter – CloudConvert in our test. It is efficient and free.
Final Thoughts
This post provides a detailed and tested review of the 5 best MP4 converters. If you find this article useful, you can also share it with your family and friends!
