HandBrake for Mac

Name: HandBrake
Rating: 4.4 (146 reviews)
Author: HandBrake

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Editors’ Review

Download.com staffAugust 13, 2025

HandBrake is a free, open-source program that converts videos between different formats. It supports a variety of devices and file types, making it ideal for reducing video sizes or ensuring compatibility. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, it offers reliable performance for both beginners and advanced users seeking efficient video conversion.

With HandBrake, users can compress large videos while retaining quality, convert files into device-ready formats, or modify codecs and resolutions. Known for its flexibility and regular updates, it handles almost any video file. Its batch processing feature streamlines work, saving time when managing multiple conversions in one efficient, organized workflow.

Comprehensive features for media processing

HandBrake supports numerous video formats such as MP4, MKV, and WebM, along with popular codecs like H.264, H.265, and VP9. It offers built-in device presets for phones, tablets, gaming consoles, and web streaming, making it easy to select the right settings. While the interface is straightforward, it lacks full video editing tools, which can be disappointing for users who need more than basic trimming and filtering features.

The program includes advanced features like chapter markers, subtitle integration, and video filters such as deinterlacing, denoising, and cropping. These tools enhance playback quality and accessibility. It supports hardware acceleration for faster encoding, but performance can be noticeably slow without it. Furthermore, the large number of advanced settings can easily overwhelm beginners who may prefer a simpler, more guided video conversion process with fewer technical adjustments.

While it excels at video conversion, it does not support video editing beyond basic trimming and filtering. This limitation can be a drawback for users who want more creative control over their videos. Alternatives such as FFmpeg, VLC Media Player, and Format Factory offer similar capabilities, but this program’s strong preset library, cross-platform support, and intuitive interface still make it a preferred choice for many users.

Pros
- Free and open-source
- Supports multiple formats and codecs
- User-friendly interface with presets
- Cross-platform availability
Cons
- No full video editing tools
- Can be slow without hardware acceleration
- Can overwhelm beginners with advanced options

Bottom Line

Reliable and versatile video converter

HandBrake remains one of the best free solutions for video conversion and compression. Its cross-platform support, wide format compatibility, and strong preset system make it a versatile choice for casual and advanced users alike. While it lacks full editing capabilities, its stability, open-source nature, active community, and consistent updates ensure it continues to be a dependable, long-term tool for video processing needs.

What’s new in version 1.10.0

Added support for the VideoToolbox AV1 hardware decoder
Added a Metal accelerated Render Sub filter
Added a contextual menu to the presets popover
Updated Auto Naming Preferences to add "{angle}" as a filename generation option (#6086)
Reduced CPU usage when using VideoToolbox decoders and encoders
Encoded files are now excluded from Time Machine until they are completed
Fixed queue jobs not being reloaded properly when the source is a .iso file
Fixed "Same as source" destination option, it didn't work properly in some case
Updated existing and maintained locales