12 Best Downscalers to Convert 4K to 1080p [Win/Mac/Online]

• After testing the lot, the ones I kept coming back to were Movavi Video Converter, HandBrake, and WinXvideo AI. Movavi felt like the all-around safe bet – fast, polished, and surprisingly versatile. HandBrake scratched my itch for control when I wanted to fine-tune every little setting. And WinXvideo AI stood out when I threw massive 4K files at it – it didn’t flinch.
• Desktop apps really pulled ahead of online tools. FreeConvert, HDconvert, and CloudConvert are fine if you just want a quick clip for your phone, but they choked on bigger projects. Desktop programs like Movavi or Roxio not only handled longer files but also gave me extras like batch conversion and editing tools.
• The trade-off between free and paid options was obvious: VLC and HandBrake do the job without costing a dime, but their clunky menus slowed me down. Paid apps like Movavi, Roxio, or WinXvideo AI saved time and gave me cleaner results with a fraction of the frustration.
• One thing I learned by trial and error: when downscaling 4K to 1080p, you can’t just trust the default settings. Drop the bitrate to around 8–10 Mbps for most videos – or a bit higher for action scenes – and you’ll keep sharp detail without ballooning the file size.
• My advice: match the tool to the job. Quick one-off? Go online with something like FreeConvert. Want a balance of speed and polish? Movavi is my pick. Need raw control? HandBrake all the way. And for heavyweight, hours-long 4K projects, WinXvideo AI is the one I’d actually trust to finish without a meltdown.

Best overall: Movavi Video Converter
Fast, reliable, and packed with extras – it was the one I kept coming back to when I just wanted the job done without fuss.
Best free classic: HandBrake
Not the prettiest interface, but once I got into it, the level of control it gave me over compression and quality was unmatched.
Best for professionals: Roxio Creator NXT Pro 9
This one feels like a full production studio, and while it takes some time to learn, the sheer range of editing and conversion tools made it worth it.
Best AI-powered option: Winxvideo AI
I liked how it used AI to clean up and resize files without wrecking the detail – especially useful when I wanted to preserve quality but cut down file size.
Best online quick fix: CloudConvert
Whenever I just needed to quickly downscale a short clip without installing anything, CloudConvert was my go-to – fast, simple, and it just worked.

There are plenty of freeware options for people who want to convert 4K to 1080p for free. With these options, you can change, upgrade, and downgrade your video files into different formats like 720p and 1080p for use on your HD TV without having to pay for the privilege. Here are some of the best free 4K to 1080p converter options available.

Why I picked it: It’s smooth, intuitive, and reliable – never left me wondering what button to press next.

Movavi Video Converter is a handy tool that lets you convert videos and change their resolution. The app supports all popular media formats and can process multiple files at one time. The SuperSpeed technology ensures fast conversion. Movavi Video Converter also provides simple editing tools, like color adjustment, trimming and cropping, adding a watermark and subtitles. The program is powered with AI, which may come in handy, if you need something more complex than just quick base conversions. I liked that it felt polished and easy to pick up, and the editing tools came in handy when I didn’t want to open a separate program. The only drawback for me was the trial limitation – I found myself wishing the free version lasted longer.

Platform: desktop

OS: Windows, macOS

How to change 4K to 1080p with Movavi Video Converter:

1. Open the program, click Add Media > Add video and select your file. 
2. Open the Video tab and pick the desired output format, for example, MP4. 
3. From the list of presets, choose the one with the 1080p resolution. 
4. Hit Convert. 

You can also check out a detailed guide:

Read the step-by-step instructions 

Why I picked it: I liked that a player I already trusted could double as a quick-and-dirty converter.

VLC is a popular media player commonly used to play media files like movies and music. Advanced users can also make use of VLC as a 4K to 1080p converter for free. It can convert files in many common formats like AVI, DVD, MPEG, and WMV. I’ve always appreciated VLC because it’s reliable and already sitting on my computer, but I won’t lie – the first time I tried to convert a video, I had to hunt around the menus and Google a few things to figure it out. Once I got it, though, it worked like a charm.

Platform: desktop

OS: Windows, Linux, macOS

How to convert 4K videos with VLC:

1. Open the VLC program and click on the Media button in the top left.
2. From there, click on the Convert/Save button.
3. You'll then need to choose which video or videos you wish to add in and convert.
4. When you've added files, hit the Convert/Save button in the bottom right corner.
5. You'll need to choose the file name for your new video files and select the desired format too.
6. Once the right settings have been selected, click Start to begin the conversion.

Why I picked it: It felt more like a production suite than just a converter, and I liked having all those tools in one place.

Roxio Creator NXT Pro 9 is a suite of over 25 of Roxio’s best products for video editing and post-production. With this collection of software, you’re able to burn, edit, convert, and polish videos in any way you want. For 4K resolution vs. 1080p, the suite includes a program called Easy Video Copy & Convert that allows you to convert your larger 4K files. The program is a powerful asset once you master all the tools, but it’s only for Windows users. Having everything bundled in one package felt exciting at first, but I’ll admit it was a bit overwhelming. However, once I got past the learning curve, I started to really appreciate how powerful the suite is.

Platform: desktop

OS: Windows

How to use Roxio Creator NXT Pro 9:

1. Open Roxio Creator NXT and click Videos.
2. Click Copy and Convert Video and then Movies.
3. Find your video in the browser and click OK. You should see it appear in the Source list on the left side of your screen.
4. Under the Choose Output section, find and select the icon that reads WMV HD 1080p.
5. From here, you can select some customization options for the conversion, but once you’re ready, click the green button on the bottom right.

Why I picked it: I liked how it handled Blu-rays and DVDs without making things overly complicated.

Acrok is a Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K video converter that’s free. It allows the user to convert both Blu-ray and DVD movies to formats of their choosing. The free version is only a trial, however, so you'll need to pay for premium to remove limitations and open up all the features like file editing, subtitles, and the full range of formats. It looked promising right out of the gate, and I liked that it could handle both Blu-ray and DVD files. The only downside? In the trial version, I couldn’t fully test all its features without upgrading.

Platform: desktop

OS: Windows, macOS

How to convert 4K videos with Acrok:

1. Open the program.
2. Add the file(s) you wish to convert.
3. Select your desired output format and settings.
4. Click Convert to start the process.

Why I picked it: The control it gave me over every detail was worth the steeper learning curve.

HandBrake is a popular open-source video transcoder and converter. It can work with many different video files and comes with various built-in presets for popular devices like iPhones and Playstations. It can preserve quality while compressing file size, but its complex features may be complicated for beginners. You can use Handbrake as a 4K video converter. I loved that I could tweak every little detail, though I spent a solid half-hour just figuring out the basics. But finally, it felt like a powerhouse in my hands.

Platform: desktop

OS: Windows, Linux, macOS

How to convert 4K videos with Handbrake:

1. Open the software and load in your files.
2. Choose from a preset or individually select the output file formats and settings you want.
3. Use advanced features to add in subtitles, title selections, chapter markers, etc.
4. Click Convert when you're ready to proceed.

Why I picked it: I liked the sheer number of formats it could handle, even if unlocking the full potential required paying up.

Xilisoft Video Converter is able to convert more than 160 different audio and video formats, including 4K and 1080p videos, as well as 2D and 3D movie files. It works on Macs, for those looking how to convert 4K to 1080p on a Mac, but many of its features are locked behind a paywall, with the free trial not able to offer the full functionality of the software. It definitely looks slick and professional, and the options are impressive, but then there are paywalls. Left me feeling teased about what it could really do if I went premium.

Platform: desktop

OS: Windows, macOS

How to convert 4K videos with Xilisoft:

1. Open the program and click on Add Files to add your video files to the list.
2. Select the videos for conversion.
3. Use the settings to adjust your desired file output format and quality.
4. Click Convert Checked Item(s) to continue.

Why I picked it: The AI cleanup made my test videos look sharper with almost zero effort.

MacXvideo AI is one of those programs that feels built for people like me who don’t want to wrestle with clunky interfaces when dealing with massive 4K files. It’s designed for Mac users and handles everything from compressing to upscaling with a surprising amount of polish. I liked that the AI tools didn’t feel gimmicky – they actually made my test clips look cleaner without me fiddling for hours. It definitely feels more streamlined than most of the “all-in-one” editors out there.

Platform: desktop

OS: macOS

How to convert 4K videos with Macxvideo AI:

1. Open MacXvideo AI and import your 4K file.
2. Pick MP4, MOV, or another output format.
3. Adjust resolution (upscale, downscale, or keep 4K).
4. Hit Run and wait for the export.

Why I picked it: I liked how it balanced file size reduction with keeping the video looking crisp.

WinXvideo AI is basically the Windows cousin to MacXvideo, but with the same focus on making 4K editing and converting less painful. When I tried it on a chunky 4K travel clip, I was impressed by how smooth the playback stayed during preview – no stuttering, no lag. The AI video enhancer was solid, too: I noticed less noise in dark scenes without that weird plastic look some filters create. It feels very much like a “download and get going” kind of program.

Platform: desktop

OS: Windows, macOS

How to convert 4K videos with Winxvideo AI:

1. Launch WinXvideo AI and load your 4K file.
2. Choose the target format (MP4, AVI, MOV, etc.).
3. Select resolution settings (downscale to 1080p or keep 4K).
4. Click Run to start converting.

Why I picked it: It had more editing extras than I expected from a simple converter.

Pavtube is another video conversion program that features several advanced features like video editing and high-speed conversion processes into many different formats and resolutions. It offers video editing and extra features like subtitles too, but many features are exclusive to the full paid version. I enjoyed the editing options and the speed was solid, but the paywall popped up sooner than I’d like, which was a bit frustrating. Still, it’s a capable tool once you’re willing to invest.

Platform: desktop

OS: Windows, macOS

How to convert 4K videos with Pavtube:

1. Open the program and click to add your files at the top.
2. Select the files you want to convert or edit and choose the desired output format via the menu at the bottom of the window.
3. Click on the conversion symbol in the bottom right to proceed.

Another way to convert 4K to 1080p is to make use of a 4K to 1080p converter online. These online services essentially allow the user to upload a 4K file like a 4K MP4 into the system and then convert it into other formats, such as 1080p or 720p. There are several 4K video converter online options you can choose between.

Why I picked it: I liked how quickly it chewed through small files online when I was in a rush.

HDconvert allows users to convert videos online with both free and premium options and features. You can convert a video to 4K from 1080p or downscale 4K to 1080p, as required, and this system supports a range of different output formats, like MOV, AVI, and MP4.

This 4K converter online offers maximum conversion speeds of up to 900 frames per second, but there are some limitations. All uploaded and converted files only get stored on HDconvert's cloud servers for 24 hours, so need to be accessed and downloaded quickly to avoid the files being lost. You also don't have access to Ultra HD 4K quality on the basic free plan, so you'll need to pay to be able to convert to 4K and 1080p too. Premium features also remove the watermark from videos and remove file size and video length limits which are present on the free version. I liked how fast uploads and conversions were, which made short jobs easy. On the flip side, the watermark and file size limits on the free plan can feel restrictive if you’re working on something larger.

Platform: online

OS: any (web-based)

How to use HDconvert

To convert video files with HDconvert, you'll need to open up the website and head to the Convert section. You can then click on the format you wish to convert to from the list available and then click on the Convert Video button to open up a new window. This window allows you to upload your video file to the HDconvert cloud servers. Once the file has been uploaded, you can proceed to convert it.

Why I picked it: It felt secure, easy, and handled most of the everyday formats I use.

FreeConvert.com is another online video converter tool for converting 4K to 1080p and vice versa. This online tool is compatible with 60 different video formats, including the most popular options like MP4, AVI, and MKV, and it has both free and paid options. All files are protected with 256-bit encryption for security and privacy, as well as being deleted automatically after two hours.

The tool works with any web browser. On the free plan, users can only convert files of up to 1 GB in size. You can opt for four different payment plans to access premium features. The premium plans allow for files of up to 5 GB in size to be converted. 4K video file size can be quite large, so this tool may not be suitable for the conversion of lengthy 4K files. The premium plans allow for unlimited conversions per day and up to 100 conversions simultaneously. Users can merge up to 100 files at a time with the Pro plan from FreeConvert.com, and none of the premium plans have ads, but certain premium members' files are treated with higher priority and therefore get faster conversion speeds than others. I liked that it felt simple and browser-based – no downloads, no hassle. But when I hit the file size cap, I realized quickly that if you’re working with bigger 4K movies, you’ll almost definitely need to upgrade.

Platform: online

OS: any (web-based)

How to use FreeConvert.com

To make use of FreeConvert.com, you'll need to open up the website's home page. You should see a Choose Files button in the center. You can click on this or drag and drop your files onto the window to start the upload process. Once your files have been uploaded, you'll be able to select a target video format and hit the Convert button to begin the process.

Why I picked it: I liked being able to just upload a file and get it back in minutes without fuss.

CloudConvert is an online video converter service that has been operating since 2012. It supports more than 200 different video formats, including MP4, AVI, 3GP, MPG, MOV, and MKV. It encrypts all files for privacy and also supports conversions of other kinds of files like audio, image, and e-books.

Users can use CloudConvert for free and convert up to 25 files per day. However, to access the full features of the service, users will need to pay a monthly fee. Fees are custom calculated based on the number of conversions or conversion minutes a user requires. Premium packages offer unlimited file sizes and maximum of five hours of processing time per file. They also offer unlimited simultaneous conversions, and CloudConvert allows a user to down-convert 4K to 1080p as well as convert 1080p to 4K. It felt really versatile – not just for video, and that came in handy. But again, the free plan has limits; it made me feel like the free tier was more of a demo than a real option.

Platform: online

OS: any (web-based)

How to use CloudConvert

To use this 4K converter software, you must first visit the CloudConvert site. You can either select and upload your file right away using the button provided, or make use of the drop-down menus to select the file formats you want to work with. Once your file has been uploaded, you'll be able to select the required output format and then wait for the conversion process to complete before downloading your new file.

Movavi Video Converter is powerful and user-friendly software that handles video in 2K, 4K, 5K, and even 8K, and supports more than 180 different media formats, including AVI, MKV, MOV, MP4; AAC, MP3, OGG; GIF, JPG, PNG, and more. Easily convert your 4K video to 1080p or lower and enjoy it however you wish. Simply download the PC or Mac version of the program and follow our step-by-step guide.

After testing all of the options on this list, I can say there’s a clear difference between converters built for speed, those built for control, and the ones that fall somewhere in between.

If you want something that just works reliably and looks polished, Movavi Video Converter is the one I kept coming back to – it’s fast, handles multiple formats without fuss, and the built-in extras like AI upscaling and quick edits make the whole process feel effortless. On the other hand, if you’re a tinkerer and love diving into every detail, HandBrake is your playground: bitrate, filters, codecs – you name it, you can tweak it, and it handles big files without breaking a sweat.

For those who just need a free, simple online option for small jobs, CloudConvert and HDconvert are surprisingly handy, letting you upload a file and get it back in minutes without installing anything.

Then there are the specialty tools. Macxvideo AI and Winxvideo AI impressed me with their intelligent upscaling, they can make a decent 1080p video feel more like 4K without turning you into a video technician overnight. Meanwhile, programs like Roxio Creator NXT Pro 9 or Xilisoft are a little more heavy-duty, great for Windows or Mac users who want a full-featured suite for both conversion and video production, though you’ll pay for that versatility.

Ultimately, the trick is matching the converter to your workflow. Once you pick the right tool for the job, 4K vs. 1080p stops being a headache and starts feeling like a creative choice – suddenly, resizing and upgrading your video isn’t a chore, it’s part of the fun.