Best Video Converters (2026): 10 Tools Compared

You've filmed a clip on your phone, and the website you want to put it on won't take the file. Or a client sends a video that won't play on your laptop. Almost every small business owner hits this wall sooner or later, and a video converter is the tool that gets you past it. It reads the file you have and writes a new one in a format that works where you need it.

Here's a list of ten video converters, in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Three are widely known and the rest are smaller or more specialised. I've taken every description from each tool's own website and directory listings, so check the current details on the site before you upload anything. If you're turning one recording into several clips, my content repurposing workflow for solopreneurs shows where conversion fits in.

Ten video converters at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a permanent free option or free software you can use as it stands. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free option. Free options often limit file size, daily conversions or add a mark on the finished video, so read the small print for the job you have in mind.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Any Video Converter	Desktop converter	Converting plus light trimming and merging	Yes
Clideo	Online converter	Quick conversions in the browser	Yes
CloudConvert	Online converter	Many formats, plus an API for developers	Yes
Convertio	Online converter	Fast conversions with no sign-up	Yes
HandBrake	Open-source transcoder	Detailed control over the output	Yes
Kapwing	Online editor	Converting and editing in one place	Yes
Online-Convert	Online converter	A wide range of file types	Yes
Shutter Encoder	Desktop converter	Footage prepared in many codecs	Yes
XMedia Recode	Desktop converter	Detailed settings in one program	Yes
Zamzar	Online converter	Simple conversions with a free size limit	Yes

The ten video converters in detail

Any Video Converter

Best for: People who want one desktop program for changing formats and doing a few simple edits afterwards.

Clideo

Best for: Anyone with a single clip to convert who would rather not install anything on their computer.

CloudConvert

Best for: Owners who convert a mix of file types and may want to automate the job later.

Convertio

Best for: Occasional users who want to drop in a file, pick a format and download the result.

HandBrake

Best for: People happy to download free software and choose their own settings for each video.

Kapwing

Best for: Creators who want to change a file type and then keep editing the same clip online.

Online-Convert

Best for: Owners who convert video one day and audio, images or documents the next.

Shutter Encoder

Best for: Video editors who need to convert, compress and tidy footage before it goes into an editing program.

XMedia Recode

Best for: People who like adjusting settings by hand and want one program for video and audio files.

Zamzar

Best for: Anyone who converts the odd small file and wants a well-known site to do it for them.

Format, container and codec: what a video converter changes

A video file is a bit like a parcel. The container is the box with the label on it, such as the file ending you see on the name. Inside sits the video, squeezed by a codec, and the sound, squeezed by another one. A converter can swap the box, change what's inside, or do both.

Swapping only the box is quick and loses nothing. Re-encoding what's inside takes longer and every pass loses a little quality, so convert from your original file whenever you can rather than from a copy that's already been converted.

Desktop software or an online video converter?

Online converters are handy because there's nothing to install, and they suit short clips. The catch is the upload. Large files take a while on a slow connection, and you're sending your footage to someone else's server. Desktop programs keep the video on your own computer, cope better with long recordings and often let you convert a whole folder at once.

If the clip is private, such as a client call or an unreleased product demo, I'd lean towards software that runs on your own machine. For a quick social clip that's already public, an online tool is usually fine.

What to check before you convert a video

• File size limits. Check the biggest file the free option accepts, and whether longer videos are refused.
• Output marks. Some tools add their own logo to the finished video unless you upgrade.
• Quality settings. Look for control over resolution and quality, or at least sensible presets for web, phone and email.
• Batch conversion. If you have a pile of clips, see whether the tool handles several in one go.
• Speed. Desktop programs use your computer's power, while online tools depend on queues and upload speed.
• File handling. Find out how long an online service keeps your files and how you delete them.
• Platform support. Make sure the program runs on your computer, whether that's Windows, Mac or Linux.

Common video converter mistakes to avoid

• Converting the same file again and again until it looks blurry.
• Choosing the smallest possible size when the video will be watched on a big screen.
• Forgetting that a converter doesn't fix a shaky or badly lit recording.
• Uploading confidential footage to a site you haven't read the privacy page for.
• Skipping a test clip and finding out an hour later that the settings were wrong.

If a clip still won't play after conversion, the problem might sit with the platform rather than the file. My note on why Facebook videos won't play covers the usual causes.

Which kind of video converter suits which user

• Occasional users usually do well with a simple online converter and a small clip.
• Social media creators often like a tool that converts and edits in the same place.
• Video editors and agencies tend to want desktop software with fine control over codecs.
• Developers and busy owners may want a service that can be automated through an API.
• Privacy-minded users might prefer free software that never leaves their own computer.

Need footage to practise on? My guide on where to get free stock video explains how to check the licence first.

A note on rights when you convert video

Convert only video you made yourself or have permission to use. A converter changes a file's format, but it doesn't change who owns the content, and copyright rules still apply. Please don't use any of these tools to copy protected material from a platform or a rights holder. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules for your own situation.

Why a smaller video converter can be a smart pick

Smaller tools often focus on one job and do it simply, so there's less to learn. Some are open-source projects kept going by volunteers, and others are run by small teams who answer questions quickly.

Before you commit, check that the tool is still being updated, read its help pages and try it on one short clip. Make sure you can get your converted files back out in a format you can use.

Do you make a video converter or a tool that prepares video files? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Trying out your video converter shortlist

Choose two or three that match the way you work, then convert the same short clip in each. Compare how the finished video looks, how long it took and how clearly the tool explained its limits. Keep the one that suits you and note anything you'd like to ask the maker.

Frequently asked questions

What does a video converter do?

It reads a video file and saves it again in a different format, so it plays on the device or website you need. Some also change size, quality or the sound track.

Does converting a video lower its quality?

It can. If the converter only changes the container, nothing is lost, but re-encoding the video loses a little each time. Convert from your original file where you can.

Is it safe to use an online video converter?

It depends on the site and your footage. You're uploading your file to someone else's server, so read the privacy information and avoid uploading anything confidential.

Should I use desktop software or an online converter?

Online tools suit short clips and quick jobs. Desktop software is usually better for long or private videos, and for converting many files together.

Can I convert video I find online?

Only if you own it or have permission to use it. Copyright still applies after a file's format changes, so check the rules for your own situation.