HandBrake
With HandBrake, you convert videos to a format that suits your device or way of sharing.
Developer HandBrake
Version 1.11.2 · GPL-2.0-only · Windows · macOS · Linux
Looking for an alternative to HandBrake?Compare Shutter Encoder.Compare alternativesWith HandBrake, you convert videos to a format that suits your device or way of sharing. You choose a preset or adjust image, sound and subtitles yourself. So you can get a big Make video file smaller.
You determine the balance between quality, file size and processing time. A trial with a short fragment is wise before you convert a long video. Save the original if you want to make an output later with other settings.
Download HandBrake
Downloads are available for Windows, macOS, Linux.
Smaller files without unnecessary quality loss
First try your settings on a short fragment with movement and dark parts. This allows you to see compression errors faster than in a still clear image. A more modern codec can produce smaller files, but your television or phone must support that codec. Also check audio and subtitles: a successful image conversion doesn't say anything about that yet.
Compare HandBrake with alternatives
Choose a converter on the output format and the level of control you need. Bitrate, resolution and encoder together determine file size and quality; a higher setting does not improve any detail that is already missing. For many files a queue and reusable settings are important.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| HandBrakeYou are viewing this app | You convert video to presets and detailed settings for image, audio and subtitles. You especially choose this app if you want to compress video or make it suitable for a device. | Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-2.0-only |
| Shutter EncoderView this alternative | You convert audio and video with many output formats and additional features such as repacking and cutting. This fits with a variety of media files and production formats. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
You can use HandBrake to prepare your own recordings for a phone, television or archive. It fits with conversion of existing video. To mount multiple scenes, titles and transitions you need a video editor; conversion is another step in processing.
Getting started
Choose a preset for your purpose and check the result on the device you want to watch the video. Also pay attention to the right audio track.
Computer requirements
Windows 10 or Newer; macOS 10.13 or newer; Linux
Privacy
You can convert local files without uploading them to an online converter. When sharing, think of audible conversations, subtitles and recognizable people in the picture. A new file format makes that content no less sensitive. Store source material in a place with appropriate access rights.
Good to know
Recoding can cause quality loss and take time. HandBrake is not an extended editing editor and doesn't bypass copy protection by itself.
Please note
HandBrake doesn't bypass copy protection. Hardware encoders can give different speed and quality than software encoding at similar settings. Check if subtitles should be burnt in or as a switchable track. Save the original, as recoding may lose information that you will not get back later.
Advantages
- You can prepare image, sound and subtitles in a targeted way.
- Profiles give a useful starting point for conversion.
- Queues help process multiple files with controlled settings.
Things to consider
- Quality and file size require test.
- Not every player supports any codec or subtitle form.
- You cannot recover lost image information by making a later file larger again.
Download HandBrake
The download page opens in a new tab.
Provider’s website · handbrake.fr
Version history
1.11.2
You get corrections for video conversion, sound and subtitles.
What’s new?
- In case of loss-free x265 conversion into two passageways, a fixer is prevented.
- You get corrections for memory usage with different encoders and for 7.1-AAC sound.
- VobSub subtitles get a more accurate color palette in MP4.
- On Windows, pause is handled better with little disk space.
Report a new version
Our verdict
HandBrake is suitable if you want to convert video files into a format and size that suits your playback device. You can configure image, sound and subtitles consciously. The most important choice is the balance between quality, file size and processing time. A more aggressive compression makes a file smaller, but can visibly affect details and movement.
First determine where to play the video and which audio or subtitles are needed. Only then select compression settings. A short fragment with movement and speech makes problems more visible than just a still image. Save your source if quality is important: a smaller export is a usage copy and cannot return lost details later.
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