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Video converters have been around for decades but have become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s unsurprising, given the role videos play in social media platforms alone. But what does a video converter do exactly? As the name implies, they effortlessly change one video file format into another, making it easier for anyone to view or send the video file. It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional in a movie studio or someone who enjoys editing personal videos for social media; converters come in handy in these instances.
Having an effective and reliable video converter on your computer will allow you to play your videos on any device you want. You also get the opportunity to pick the correct format to garner the best quality and upload speeds when you attempt to post it online. Depending on what device you use to shoot content, you might get different formats once you transfer it to your computer. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best video converters on the market. We’ll talk about what they offer in terms of features, usability, and whether you’ll need to pay for them.
What makes a video converter great? It needs to be able to convert videos in any file format and do it fast. The good news is that the Wondershare UniConverter fits the bill perfectly. This is a powerful and versatile solution for both personal and professional use. Also, it’s both a video and audio converter.
Other features include video editing, downloading, screen recording, and even a GIF maker. Furthermore, it has DVD-ripping capabilities. If you frequently need to convert 2D videos to 3D, this Wondershare delivers. You can also add metadata to any media files, allowing more efficient retrieval. If you have iTunes, the converted files are easy to sync. And yes, the Wondershare video converter comes in versions that will work on either Windows or macOS operating systems.
Users who need a tool to remove Digital Right Management (DRM) from videos can also rely on this software. As for the interface, it looks sleek and well-organized. Settings are all intuitive and easy to find and adjust.
Another great thing about this video converter is that you can find comprehensive video tutorials once you subscribe to a plan. Customer service is also exceptional. Unfortunately, you will have to pay a fee if you want to access the software’s full features. You can pick between a quarterly plan for $29.99 and a yearly plan for $39.99, or you can own it forever with a one-time payment of $55.99.
A plethora of excellent featuresUser-friendly interface30-day money-back guarantee2D to 3D conversion
Not freeAudio functionality not the bestWeb download somewhat slow
VideoProc is another versatile software that provides all-in-one service in the same package. While it’s often brought up in the context of video editing and video processing, VideoProc also has excellent video conversion features.
Let’s get into the details. It supports over 350 input codecs and even more output formats. We especially like it because it can flawlessly deliver 4K conversion and even complicated transcoding. You can even use it for batch transcoding. In terms of interface, VideoProc keeps things simple. You do have multiple conversion profiles, though. There’s the General Profile, Music Profile, Web Video Profile, and the cherry on top is the HD Video Profile. Plus, if you want to burn DVDs, you can access the DVD profile and create a video compatible with your DVD player (if you still use one).
Here’s another fantastic feature from VideoProc – downscaling and upscaling. You can upscale, for example, a 720p video to 1080p effortlessly or 4K to UHD. There won’t be any blurs to worry about. Similarly, you can downscale a 4K video to 1080p if you want to play it on an older device.
What about video compression? VideoProc has excellent video compression capabilities. You can compress a video down to 90% of its original size with zero loss in quality. When it comes to quality, you have controls that will allow you to finetune the video you just converted. Because of everything you can do with this program, it’s no surprise that you’ll have to pay for it. They offer a one-year subscription for $25.95, but we believe you’d be better off spending $29.95 for their lifetime license. This lifetime license can only be used on one computer, so if you have more computers that need the software, you can get their lifetime Family License for $57.95.
Batch transcodingMultiple profilesUpscale and downscale featureThe excellent video compression feature
No free versionMinor performance lags
Leawo is a media-converting software with various uses. It supports DVD burning, video and DVD converting, online video download, and can convert 2D movies to 3D. You can work with over 180 video formats, including AVI, MP4, FLV, WAV, MKV, and many more. You also have the option of merging multiple files into a continuous file.
Leawo also has a built-in video editor, so you can trim and crop your videos before you convert them. You can add different video effects, reduce noise, and add a watermark. Users will have six 3D effects to choose from, allowing them to get fully immersed in 3D movie creation. You can also add audio subtitle tracks from all sources. Leawo also delivers excellent photo editing options, and you can create entertaining slideshows.
Overall, this is a well-designed and easy-to-use media converter. Everyone can use this program because Leawo offers a Windows and Mac version, but the only downside is that it’s not a free program. You’ll have to pay about $29.95 for a yearly license, or you can get a lifetime license for a one-time payment of $39.95. Many users find that paying for a program with loads of features is worth the investment, but it would still be up to you if you have the budget for it.
Easy 3D movie creatingFast outputAvailable preview while convertingGreat for beginners
Not freeSome video formats a little blurry
Splurging for video converter software will solve many of your video-related troubles. However, you don’t always have to pay for an excellent video converter. While efficient and well-rounded free video editing software is relatively rare to find, we do present a fantastic option for your consideration. Freemake Video Converter is free software that supports over 500 video formats, which is more than you’d expect.
It can even facilitate file transfer to your mobile devices and other gadgets. Unfortunately, Freemake Video Converter is compatible with only Windows computers. You can use Freemake to convert 4K and HD videos without losing quality. In terms of editing, options are limited. You can rotate the video, cut it, and join video clips. Output files can be burned to DVD, but you also have the option to upload them directly to your YouTube channel.
You can also use Freemake to embed videos on websites and convert movies with subtitles. It’s fast and easy to download, and since you don’t have to go through the payment process, you’ll be able to start using it in no time. It’s important to point out that even though this is a free video converter, a paid option exists. They call it the Freemake “Mega Pack,” and the premium features you get that aren’t found on the free version are faster conversion speeds, video to mp3 conversion, exclusive DVD menus, no Freemake logo on videos, the ability to set your own picture as a DVD menu, edit subtitles, auto video cropping, add your own logo and auto data backup. Their monthly subscription for the Mega Pack costs $39.95, while their lifetime license is worth $59.95.
Comprehensive free versionDecent conversion speedSupports 500+ video file formatsA lightweight software
The Freemake watermark embedded in free versionAvailable for Windows onlyNeed the paid Mega Pack for video to mp3 conversion, editing subtitles, and faster conversion speed
Movavi is a household name in the world of video manipulation. Due to the easy-to-use interface, it’s an ideal video converter for beginners and intermediate users, but likely the pros will find it helpful too. Movavi can convert all kinds of video formats. In fact, it supports over 180 video formats and provides profiles for over 200 devices.
The file merging feature is handy because it merges videos with zero loss of quality. Another reason users flock to Movavi is that it’s available across all types of operating systems. You can download it on your Windows PC or Mac, and it’s even compatible with Android, Amazon Kindle, iOS, Xbox, and much more. You can use Movavi to convert SD videos to HD without losing quality.
It allows you to download videos from YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms. You can even choose the quality level before you download. For users who still require DVD-burning features, Movavi has them covered. Though they’re relatively basic, the video editing features exist with only brightness, hue, saturation, and contrast controls. Also, Movavi supports batch conversion, so you can simultaneously convert multiple files. This is essential for those who spend a lot of time converting and editing videos daily. Price-wise, Movavi is a mid-range solution. You can get a one-year subscription for $54.95 or a lifetime license for one device for $64.95. Customers can also get the Movavi Video Converter bundled with the Movavi Video Editor for $84.95.
Fast and reliable converterGreat choice of codecSuitable for beginners and prosExcellent customer service
Can’t convert 2D to 3DFree trials have a watermarkNot the most budget-friendly
Online converters are the solution if you need a video converter for a small project and don’t want to spend any money or use any storage on your computer. Although, it should be noted that these tools come with some limitations. That is why we’ve found the best option if the price is your consideration.
Online-Convert is a web-based video converter and so much more. It features a minimalist design and ultra-easy-to-use interface. Everything is laid out and straightforward. The video file format options are not many. However, they have all the major formats, such as AVI, MP4, MKV, and MOV. All you need to do is select the video file format you want, upload the file, and start the conversion. You can also choose to resize the file, change the frame rate, rotate it if necessary, and cut the video.
Unfortunately, you can only upload a file of up to 100MB, which isn’t a lot for a video. However, this web-based converter will be the perfect solution for a smaller project. It converts files fast, and you can download them directly to your device. You can use it just as easily on your mobile device, too. The Online-Convert tool features other types of conversions as well. You can change file formats for audio files, documents, eBooks, and images.
Entirely web-basedVery easy to useAvailable Chrome extensionSupports popular video file formats
Limited file size uploadNot enough file formats supported
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