16 Best Free MP4 Converters in 2026 [Windows/Mac/Online]

• No single MP4 converter covers every case. Desktop apps like Movavi Video Converter, HandBrake, and Freemake tend to make more sense once you are converting videos often, while online tools such as CloudConvert, Convertio, or FreeConvert are usually enough for a quick, one-off file.
• Free options usually come with strings attached. File size limits, daily caps, or watermarks tend to show up sooner than you expect, especially with online converters.
• Most choices come down to comfort versus control. Some tools lean on presets and keep decisions to a minimum, others let you adjust almost everything if you are willing to spend time with the settings.
• Small extras add up. Batch conversion, device profiles, and simple editing tools can save a surprising amount of time once you start using them.
• Trying a small test file first helps. It is an easy way to spot limits or quirks before committing a larger video to the process.

MP4 converters often look interchangeable until you start running files through them. Some finish quietly and move on. Others stop you with limits, watermarks, or settings that do not make much sense. I went through each converter on this list on purpose, using the same test files and basic tasks, and paid attention to how they behaved once the process actually started.

What follows is a selection of desktop and online tools that held up in real use. They were not chosen for long feature lists, but because they handled everyday conversions without friction or surprises.

Best overall: Movavi Video Converter

A well balanced option that combines fast conversion, broad format support, and an interface that is easy to use for most tasks.

Best free software: HandBrake

A powerful free converter with advanced settings, best suited for users who want full control and do not mind a learning curve.

Best built-in option for Mac users: QuickTime Player

A simple choice for Mac users who need quick MP4 conversions without installing additional software.

Best all-in-one tool: Format Factory

A versatile converter that supports many file types beyond video, making it useful as a general purpose tool.

Best online converter for quick jobs: FreeConvert.com

A fast, browser based option for small files and occasional conversions without setup or registration.

Best for link-based conversions: Flvto

A convenient tool for converting videos from links, ideal for quick online content downloads.

If you’re looking for desktop converting software for your Mac or Windows computer, there are plenty of safe and easy-to-use programs available. You can simply visit each developer's website to download a video converter. You can benefit from additional editing features with several of these downloads. Some also function as MP4 players and can play other media using codecs your system may not otherwise support, including less common file types. Below is my list of the best MP4 converters.

Why I picked it: it combines fast conversion with just enough extra features to feel useful without getting overwhelming.

OS: Windows, macOS

In need of a versatile downloadable digital movie to MP4 converter? Movavi Video Converter is a great option that can give you consistent results. You can benefit from fast media conversion, with access to many file formats for conversions beyond MP4. You can strip the sound from a video if you only need the audio, and the program also works with images and a few other formats. I opened it and started converting right away without looking for instructions. I threw in a couple of old clips from my hard drive, and they were done faster than I expected, with nothing on the screen getting confusing.

Why I picked it: it works as both a converter and a media player, which is handy for quick checks and simple conversions.

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

VLC, or VideoLAN Client, is a great tool to use as both MP4 freeware for file conversion and a media player. This software is a reliable file player that includes certain codecs that many other media players don't, and it's compatible with both Mac and Windows computers. For example, you can use it to play AVI files on a Mac, which other default Apple-supported players may not play. It's also a convenient file encoder that makes it easy to convert MP4 files to many other media file types. I tested this myself and appreciated being able to convert a video and check the result immediately in the same app. If your goal is to convert movies to MP4 for free and still have a built-in player, VLC fits that need without any extra hassle.

Why I picked it: this converter is for users who want more control over settings and formats without moving to paid software right away.

OS: Windows

Freemake Video Converter runs locally on your computer, so installation is the first step. Once I opened it, it was clear that this was more than a basic one-click converter. I spent some time adjusting bitrate and frame size just to see how the settings worked, and the changes were easy to follow. Saving those adjustments turned out to be useful later when I converted a few similar videos and did not have to repeat the setup. I liked that the program let me stay in control instead of forcing automatic choices. The latest update adds support for AV1, VP9, and Opus, which helped when I tried converting newer files that some other tools failed to open.

Why I picked it: it is already installed on most Macs and handles basic MP4 conversion without any setup.

OS: macOS, Windows

QuickTime Player is one of those apps that sits on a Mac and rarely gets much attention beyond playing videos. I tried using it as a converter and found that exporting a clip to MP4 was quick and did not require any setup at all. I opened a short file, hit export, and had the converted video almost immediately. If you are already on a Mac and just want a simple way to convert and watch videos in the same place, QuickTime is an easy option to fall back on.

Why I picked it: it gives you far more control than most free converters if you are willing to spend a little time learning it.

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

To get one of the more versatile MP4 converters for free, download HandBrake for easy conversions and multiple features. You can use HandBrake to convert video from just about any format, whether you use a Mac or Windows computer. In addition to converting files to nearly any other format, you can also benefit from several other features. Some added features include title, chapter, and range selection, chapter markers, support for both VFR and CFR, a live static and video preview feature, various video filters, and subtitles. When I tested it, I liked how much control it gave me over the final result.

Why I picked it: it keeps things simple and reliable, especially for batch conversions with minimal effort.

OS: Windows

DVDVideoSoft Free MP4 Video Converter is a great free program that does exactly what you want it to do, convert videos for free. The interface is simple, clutter-free, and allows you to quickly and painlessly convert a single video or work in batches. There’s a small number of output options for this program, but for free software, it includes all the popular ones most people need. You can merge clips as well. I ran a few test conversions and appreciated how little thought it required once the process started.

Why I picked it: it feels like an all purpose tool that can handle many file types beyond just video.

OS: Windows

Format Factory feels more like a toolbox than a single purpose converter. I tested it by loading a few videos from my computer and then trying a link import out of curiosity. It handled video, audio, images, and even PDF files without much fuss. I also tried the basic editing tools, cropping and joining a short clip, and they worked well enough for quick fixes without slowing things down.

Why I picked it: It’s great for speed and hardware acceleration, which makes a difference when converting larger or higher quality files.

OS: Windows

AVS Video Converter supports over 150 formats and includes ready profiles for social networks and mobile devices like iPhones and iPads. It also handles 4K video and uses hardware acceleration to speed things up. I noticed this most when watching the progress bar, since the conversion moved steadily instead of stalling or jumping. The batch conversion feature lets you process several files at once, which makes longer queues easier to manage.

When looking for the ideal MP4 converter, you may not want to deal with any software downloads and instead look for a web-based solution. If you're looking for online converters for MP4, regardless of whether you use a Mac or Windows PC, the following are some of our favorite options. Using these platforms, you can simply upload your MP4 or other videos to the browser-based converter and complete the MP4 conversion entirely through their websites. Like the software options we've also reviewed, each website listed here is safe to use and secure, without the risk of downloading malicious software with your videos or having your sensitive data stolen or sold to a third party. Read on to learn about some of the best free MP4 converters available online. 

Why I picked it: it is quick to use and does not require an account, which is ideal for one off conversions.

OS: any, works online

If you’re looking for an MP4 converter for free, FreeConvert.com is a solid option. This is a fast and simple tool that offers some extra security with 256 bit SSL encryption, and uploaded files are deleted from the server after a few hours.

FreeConvert handles a wide mix of common formats, but the actual workflow stays very short. You upload the file, choose the output, and let it do its thing. I did not have to stop or reread anything along the way, which made the process feel smooth. When I wanted more say over the result, the extra options let me adjust things like frame rate or aspect ratio, and I also fixed a sideways clip by rotating it and adding subtitles without much effort.

Why I picked it: it’s built around link based conversions, which suits quick work with online content.

OS: any, works online

Flvto is another MP4 online converter that's free to use, simple in its design, and fast. It functions primarily as a YouTube video converter that you can use for free downloading of YouTube videos. However, it can also convert videos into MP4 or other formats, including MP4 HD or AVI. Whether you use a Mac, Windows, or Linux operating system, this platform is compatible with every device. When I tried it myself, I liked how quickly I could paste a link and get a downloadable file without dealing with extra settings. This free MP4 video converter also allows you to download video and audio from many other websites beyond YouTube, including Dailymotion, Vimeo, and even social media sites like Facebook.

Why I picked it: It offers advanced settings that feel closer to desktop software while still running online.

OS: any, works online

CloudConvert is an online MP4 converter that goes well beyond basic format changes. It lets you edit files before converting them, which sets it apart from simpler tools. Video is only part of the picture here, since it also works with audio, images, ebooks, and hundreds of other formats. You can upload files directly or pull them from Google Drive or Dropbox. After loading a file, the settings open up plenty of room to adjust things like codec, CRF, resolution, and profiles. I opened the settings out of habit and stayed there longer than planned, since nothing felt hidden or awkward to use.

File handling stays secure during conversion, and the platform relies on established software partners to keep results consistent. In the latest version, GPU based video encoding was introduced for H264, HEVC, and AV1, noticeably speeding up conversions, especially when working with HEVC and AV1 files.

Why I picked it: it balances simplicity with basic editing tools, even though the free limits are strict.

OS: any, works online

Convertio is an online converter that keeps things simple, but it does not pretend to be unlimited. You can open it in a browser and start working right away, with no software to install. I tried it by dragging in a small video and then pulling another one from Google Drive, and both loaded without any fuss. Along with basic conversion, there are a few editing tools for resizing, rotating, adjusting quality, and changing volume. I liked how quick those small tweaks were to apply, though the free limits showed up sooner than I expected once the files got bigger.

Why I picked it: it’s great for users who want a no frills converter that prioritizes stability over extra features.

OS: any, works online

ConvertFiles is an online converter that may look very simple, but it's considered one of the more reliable converters and can give you consistent results. The bare-bones look of this website allows users to upload their files and convert them to several popular and less common file formats, with the ability to adjust the quality or screen size before converting. It's one of the simpler MP4 file converters, and you won't find many features beyond the basic modification capabilities. In addition to videos, you can also use ConvertFiles to convert audio, images, archives, presentations, spreadsheets, and more. When I tried it myself, I liked that everything loaded quickly and the conversion finished without any surprises. If you want a simple and dependable, no-frills free MP4 converter, you can't go wrong with this option.

Why I picked it: It gives you clear control over both video and audio settings in one place.

OS: any, works online

Want MP4 movie converters to enable you to edit certain aspects of your videos, including audio? OnlineConvert.com is a good tool to use as a fast and user-friendly solution. You can easily convert MP4 files and many other file formats by dragging and dropping files into the upload box, uploading them from a folder, or adding files from Dropbox or Google Drive. It also supports URL based file imports where available. From there, you can choose a preset for your video and edit various features including screen size, aspect ratio, video bitrate, file size, and more. You can also change audio quality, audio channels, and audio codecs. When I tested it, I liked how clearly the audio and video settings were separated, which made quick adjustments easier. If you use Chrome, the service also offers a browser extension for faster access to its tools.

Why I picked it: Its wide format support and simple workflow suit occasional conversion tasks well.

OS: any, works online

Zamzar runs in the browser and keeps things fairly simple. The free limit sits at 50 MB, so I tested it with a small file and saw it start uploading right away without any extra steps. It accepts video, audio, images, and documents, which makes it useful for more than one type of task. There is also online support if something does not work as expected.

With the free version, you get two conversions per day. That is fine for quick jobs, but the limit becomes noticeable if you try to use it more often. The paid plans lift that restriction and also allow larger files. In the latest version, support for converting 3D model file formats like OBJ, STL, and FBX was added, making the converter useful for 3D files as well as standard media formats.

Why I picked it: The device presets make it easy to get playable results without thinking about technical details.

OS: any, works online

Online Converter by 123apps runs directly in the browser and keeps the focus on getting videos converted without much setup. I tried it with a short file and was able to start right away. There are ready made profiles for different devices, which is helpful if you plan to move a video to your phone and do not want to think about formats. You can upload files from your computer, pull them from Google Drive or Dropbox, or add them by URL. The option to set the output resolution up to 1080p covers most everyday needs without adding extra complexity.

MP4 converters do not show their differences right away. You notice them after running a few files back to back, when some tools start to feel disposable and others feel easier to return to.

Online converters tend to cover the quick jobs. If the file is small and the goal is simple, services like FreeConvert, Convertio, or Zamzar are easy enough to use. You upload, wait, download, and move on. There is not much to think about, which is sometimes exactly the point.

Desktop programs start to make more sense once you stop converting one file at a time. With a small queue waiting, Movavi Video Converter and Freemake Video Converter felt easier to manage than browser tools. HandBrake took me longer to warm up to, but it was clear about what each setting did, and I liked being able to tweak things instead of guessing.

Some converters try to remove decisions altogether. Tools with device profiles, like Online Converter by 123apps or AVS Video Converter, are useful when you just want a video that plays properly on a phone or tablet.

Editing quietly shifts the balance too. Being able to trim a clip or adjust the sound without opening another program saves a step, and that adds up. Movavi, CloudConvert, and Convertio all handle those small fixes in place.

In the end, the best MP4 converter is the one you reach for without double checking its name.