Want to Convert MKV to MP4?

HandBrake is the gold standard for free desktop video conversion. It's open-source, and while the interface may look a little overwhelming at first, it allows you to tinker with every encoding setting imaginable. For a free tool, HandBrake offers far more precise control over the raw compression settings compared to Movavi's straightforward and faster presets.

Although not the most ideal when you just want to dump a file and hit "Convert," HandBrake is always getting community updates, with recent focuses on new FFmpeg encoding libraries and hardware-accelerated encoding support (like Intel QSV).

Here’s how to use HandBrake:

1. Download the program free through their website.
2. Once it's installed, under the Source tab, select the file you want to convert.
3. Under the Output tab, select MP4 and choose any option you would like. There are many additional tabs of options, but these can be circumvented by choosing a preset for quick use.
4. Convert your files.

Final verdict: It's the best free alternative for semi-pros who need to learn how to convert MKV to MP4 with maximum control over the final output. If you are serious about video quality and understand codecs and bitrates, this is the tool for you.

VLC is a classic tool famous for being a universal media player, but many people don’t realize it has a simple, built-in conversion feature. It's a quick fix for when you need to change MKV to MP4 without downloading new software. Unlike an actual converter that’s dedicated to speed and features, VLC is a player first; while it's completely free and has no limit on use, it lacks the advanced editing tools and high-speed processing of the likes of Movavi.

Meanwhile, VLC’s updates focus heavily on compatibility and stability across different operating systems, with one of the highlights of their recent update being the activation of hardware decoding by default, to get 4K and 8K playback. This hardware support helps stabilize the conversion process, too, even if it doesn't match the pure encoding speed of dedicated software. You can explore more details on their official blog.

This is how you use VLC to convert MKV to MP4:

1. Get VLC from the official VideoLAN website.
2. In the Media menu, click Convert/Save.
3. Click the Add button and import your MKV file. Hit Convert/Save again.
4. In the Profile drop-down menu, select MP4 for the output.
5. Hit Save and Start.

Final verdict: If you need a quick, no-install way to change MKV to MP4, especially for a small file, VLC is your best friend. Its reliability and zero cost make it an essential tool for basic conversions.

Freemake is designed for the user who wants minimal hassle. Its simple interface makes it a strong choice for basic video transfer and format changes. Unlike VLC, which is primarily a media player, Freemake is a dedicated conversion tool, meaning its process is more intuitive, though its speed may not match that of a high-end paid converter like Movavi.

Additionally, Freemake’s free version is generally more restrictive (often adding a brand intro or watermark), but its simplicity rivals the ease of use for some advanced paid tools. As a general rule of thumb, Freemake often updates its conversion engine to support new codecs and output presets. It also offers basic video editing features like cutting and rotating, which is a nice bonus if you just need to trim a file before converting it.

Here’s how to convert with Freemake Video Converter:

1. Download Freemake from the official website and install it.
2. Click +Video and add your MKV file.
3. At the bottom, choose to MP4. Pick a preset and adjust quality if needed.
4. Click Convert.

Final verdict: A decent option for users who want to change MKV to MP4 on their desktop for free but are willing to tolerate the occasional limitations. I would pick Freemake over other free options for its streamlined interface and its ability to handle DVD/Blu-ray tasks.

When talking about speed and quality, VideoProc is always at the top of mind because it's probably the only one I've seen that fully commits to using the GPU across the entire process. Notably, the paid tool leverages Level-3 Hardware Acceleration, using your system's GPU to speed up conversion by a massive margin. VideoProc often wins on pure, raw processing speed for 4K and higher resolutions because its hardware acceleration is sometimes more aggressively utilized compared to the likes of Movavi.

I've seen it hit up to 47x real-time speed, while keeping my CPU usage low, which ultimately prevents overheating. For 2025, VideoProc's major focus has been on its AI capabilities. Its AI Super Resolution feature particularly lets me upscale old, low-res footage up to 4K/8K, and the AI Frame Interpolation smoothly converts low-FPS video to high frame rates (up to 480 FPS) for epic slow-motion without artifacts.

Using VideoProc Converter AI requires the following:

1. Install and open VideoProc Converter AI.
2. Click Video and add your MKV file.
3. Open Target Format and choose MP4 (H.264/HEVC).
4. Set the output folder or tweak settings.
5. Click RUN.

Final verdict: If your primary concern is converting large files and retaining optimal quality fast, this software is a great, speed-focused alternative to Movavi, thanks to its Level-3 acceleration and integrated AI enhancement tools.

Winxvideo AI (formerly WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe) is a versatile desktop tool that has recently pivoted heavily into AI-powered features for video enhancement. This software is built on full Level-3 GPU acceleration (supporting Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD) to handle high-resolution processing at speeds up to 47x faster than real-time.

Unlike typical converters, Winxvideo AI offers more specialized AI tools (like 16K upscaling and motion stabilization), making it better for genuinely fixing low-quality or shaky video files before converting them. The 2025 updates focus entirely on the new AI video enhancement suite, including features like AI Denoise to clean up grainy footage and AI Audio Suppression to remove background noise, which helps me revive old, noisy VHS or DVD footage into modern 4K clarity.

This is how to use Winxvideo AI to convert MKV to MP4:

1. Download and launch Winxvideo AI.
2. Choose Video Converter and click +Video to add your MKV.
3. In the Video tab, select MP4 H.264. If necessary, adjust quality or bitrate in the settings.
4. Press RUN.

Final verdict: A powerful rival to high-end alternatives like Movavi, especially if you need to perform high-end, AI-driven quality enhancements on your MKV files. It is the superior choice for users who require comprehensive AI tools to breathe new life into legacy, low-quality, or shaky camera footage.

Wondershare UniConverter is a full-service video utility belt, not just a typical converter. Notably, it handles conversion but also downloading from over 10,000 sites, DVD/CD burning, and basic editing. It stands out as a full video suite by offering more peripheral tools (like DVD burning and VR conversion) compared to Movavi's standard Video Converter product, making it the more versatile all-in-one choice.

UniConverter also natively supports modern codecs like HEVC (H.265) for maximum compression and quality, which often requires an additional, paid extension to handle on most high-end alternatives. In its recent updates, UniConverter has integrated a new dedicated AI Lab with powerful tools like an AI Video Upscaler and a Vocal Remover AI tool for audio projects.

To convert MKV to MP4 Wondershare UniConverter:

1. Install and open Wondershare UniConverter.
2. Drag your MKV into the Converter panel.
3. Open Output Format and pick MP4.
4. Set resolution or codec as needed.
5. Click Convert.

Final verdict: If you need a comprehensive software that goes beyond simple MKV to MP4 conversion and handles advanced utilities better than single-purpose apps; Uniconverter is the powerful, feature-packed alternative to Movavi.

CloudConvert is my go-to choice when I need to transfer an MKV file from a different computer or when I don't want to install any software. Since it's entirely online, it uses zero local computer resources for the heavy lifting, making it perfect for my low-end laptop.

More crucially, I trust its security. All files are processed in isolated, encrypted containers and automatically deleted within 24 hours. While most high-end alternatives offer locally-processed, massive 4K batch jobs with no usage limits, I appreciate that CloudConvert gives me professional-level control over the output, like adjusting the CRF value and choosing advanced codecs like H.265 or AV1, even in a web interface. In its new updates, CloudConvert focuses on expanding supported formats while improving its API for developers.

Converting with CloudConvert is easy:

1. Go to the CloudConvert website.
2. Click Select File and import your media.
3. Make sure that the Convert to field says MP4.
4. Click Convert, then click Download.

Final verdict: This is the top choice for secure, high-quality online conversion, perfectly suited for quick MKV to MP4 fixes without installing a thing. If your priority is high-level security and cross-device convenience for online file conversion, I would use this over Movavi.

Convertio is a highly user-friendly online converter known for its clean design and support for batch processing right in the browser. What I like about it is how simple it is compared to desktop software like Movavi. It performs all conversions in the cloud, which means my computer's processing power remains unaffected, a huge plus for my older laptop.

Unlike heavier desktop tools, Convertio skips advanced editing and focuses purely on fast, straightforward format changes. Moreso, it supports over 25,600 conversions across 300+ file formats and continues to improve with UI updates and stronger cloud integrations.

To convert files with Convertio, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Convertio website.
2. Click Choose Files and import your media.
3. Make sure that the output format field says MP4.
4. Tweak the conversion settings if necessary.
5. Click Convert, then click Download.

Final verdict: An excellent free online tool for small batch conversions, especially if you store your files in the cloud. I would choose Convertio over Movavi when I only have a small file to convert quickly and don't need any of Movavi's advanced editing tools.

Zamzar is one of the oldest and most reliable online conversion services, having processed files since 2006. It boasts support for an exceptional number of file types, including over 1,100 file formats such as text-based documents, images, videos, CAD files, and more. It's unique because it offers to email you a download link when the conversion is finished, which is perfect for large file conversions.

However, Zamzar is slower compared to most desktop alternatives, and its free version has strict file size limits. Regardless, its hands-off approach is convenient; you can pull files directly from Google Drive or OneDrive via URL, skipping local downloads and saving time, a bonus that most desktop alternatives hardly match. In its latest updates, Zamzar is focused on improving its underlying conversion speed and expanding API support.

Here’s how to convert with Zamzar:

1. Go to the Zamzar website.
2. Click Choose files or simply drag and drop your media into the conversion area.
3. Make sure that the Convert To field is set to MP4.
4. Click Convert Now.

Final verdict: The best online choice for reliable conversion, where you want to transfer the processing load entirely to a third-party server. I would use Zamzar over a faster desktop app like Movavi when my priority is maximum format compatibility (for rare files).