Step 1. Install Movavi’s AVI file converter
When you’ve downloaded the file, run it and follow the usual macOS instructions to install the software.
Top 7 Best AVI Converters for a Mac [2025]
Here's how to convert AVI files on a Mac:
Download and launch Movavi Video Converter.
Add the AVI files, edit them and specify the output format.
Start converting.
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Key takeaways
- Movavi Video Converter, Prism, VLC, HandBrake, and CloudConvert stood out as my favorites after testing them all.
- Some tools are very fast (Movavi Video Converter, MacX Video Converter Pro). Others have a focus on advanced settings (HandBrake, FFmpeg).
- Online converters like Zamzar or CloudConvert are handy but limited.
- If you’re new, pick something simple with clear presets and simple conversion options.
- Always check your output settings carefully and save big projects locally rather than relying on online services.
Many of us have tried to play AVI movie files and found that our existing software like QuickTime didn’t want to cooperate. Doing exactly that sent me down a rabbit hole of trying to find the top AVI converters for macOS. I’ve put together my top recommendations – they cover both the paid options and the free. Most of us just need a simple option to perform a quick and simple conversion.
My top picks
- Best overall: Movavi Video Converter
Reliable and features loads of presets for almost every format. - Best for beginners: Prism Video Converter
Very simple to learn and comes with a clean interface. - Best free desktop tool: VLC
Converts AVI and plays almost any video file without cost. - Best for advanced tweaking: HandBrake
Open-source software with powerful filters and encoding settings. - Best online option: CloudConvert
Works in your browser with files from your computer or cloud.
Comparison table of the best AVI converters for a Mac
To ensure that you receive only verified information, we do the following:
Movavi Content Team has tested all the products covered in this article.
When testing products, we compare all key parameters, including merging video clips, changing video speed, recording voice-overs, creating slideshows, and other significant features.
List of the best free AVI converters for a Mac
Why I picked it: I liked how fast it handles large AVI files. Its presets make exporting simple. The basic editing tools and AI upscaling were a bonus when I wanted to tidy up clips before saving or uploading them.
Movavi Video Converter for Mac is an intuitive and powerful encoding program that enables you to convert MKV, MTS, FLV, MPEG, WMV, and DVD VOB files to MPEG-4, QuickTime (MOV), as well as to many other popular formats.
Platform: Desktop
OS: macOS X 10.13 or higher, Windows
How to use Movavi Video Converter
- Download and install Movavi Video Converter on your Mac.
- Click Add Media and choose Add video.
- If you’d like to edit your AVI files before the conversion, just open the Edit drop-down list and choose an option.
- Choose one of the presets from the Video or Audio tabs.
- Click Save to to specify the directory for the converted files. Then click Convert.
Pros:
It supports a large variety of media formats, offers presets for quick conversion, and is powered by the SuperSpeed technology.
Incorporates features like AI upscaling and lossless compression.
Cons:
Not free software.
How to convert AVI video on a Mac with Movavi Video Converter
Converting AVI files is easy and quick with Movavi Video Converter. Follow the guide below to convert your files in no time.
Step 2. Add the AVI files
To add one or more files for conversion, click the Add Media button in the upper left-hand corner of the window and choose Add video. You can then navigate to the relevant AVI
Step 3. Edit your files
You can edit your AVI files before the conversion. Open the Edit drop-down list and choose an option. You can trim and crop your clip or apply effects at this stage.
Step 4. Specify the output format
At the bottom of the program interface, you will find the most popular conversion presets. If you don’t see the format you need, you can click the Video or the Devices tab.
If you intend to watch the converted video on a specific multimedia device, click Devices. Then select the appropriate preset from the list of brands and models. I did this to make sure my video loaded perfectly on my iPad when I was ready to watch it.
If you just want to convert AVI to MP4 on Mac or Windows, select Video and choose the appropriate format from the list. To access the advanced output format settings, where you can change parameters like video height and width, choose a sample rate, and make other adjustments, click the Cogwheel button.
Step 5. Start converting
Before you start converting, you may want to set a new destination folder. By default, converted files are saved to your Movavi Library, but you can also click the Save to button and specify a new directory for the converted files. Then click Convert in the bottom right corner to start the conversion process. Your file will be converted in just a few minutes.
Why I picked it: I like the fact that the interface is easy to use and works well for batch jobs. I also found there to be a huge level of support for file types.
I have found this to be a simple but high-performance AVI converter for a Mac. It’s user-friendly and feature-rich and supports a variety of file formats, including AVI.
Platform: Desktop
OS: macOS X 10.9 or higher, Windows
How to convert AVI files on a Mac with Prism Video Converter
- Download the Prism video file converter and open it.
Download Prism Video Converter - Select the file to convert.
- Select the format you want to convert your AVI file to.
- Click Convert.
Ratings
Pros:
It supports a wide range of file formats, offers additional features such as video effects and has a user-friendly interface.
Batch conversion possible.
Free version is available for non-commercial use (though this has limited features).
Cons:
It is not usually free – there is a trial version, otherwise, you need to choose from 2 pricing plans.
Can be complex pricing when bundled with other software from the brand.
3. Zamzar
Why I picked it: Sometimes I just want a quick web-based converter. Zamzar lets me upload an AVI and get a new format in seconds.
This is a free online AVI file converter that offers fast conversion of large files. It also works entirely online but supports high-speed downloads to allow the process to be pretty straightforward.
Platform: Online
OS: Any, web-based service
How to use Zamzar
- Go to the Zamzar website.
Visit Zamzar - Add files by drag and drop or browse your computer’s files and upload.
- Select the file format you want to convert your files to.
- Click Convert Now.
Pros:
This online AVI file converter for a Mac is free up to a file size of 50 MB, it is fast and secure and offers excellent customer service.
Cons:
It is worth noting that there are no editing options available.
You need a good internet connection to use it.
4. VLC
Why I picked it: I already use VLC to watch videos sometimes. Being able to convert AVI files without extra software is really handy. It’s free and supports nearly every format I throw at it.
This AVI video converter for a Mac supports almost all media file formats and file sizes. It is easy to use and also completely free.
Platform: Desktop
OS: macOS X 10.7.5 or higher, Windows, Linux
How to convert AVI on a Mac with VLC
- Download VLC to your computer.
Download VLC - In the menu, choose File > Convert/Stream.
- In the pop-up window, click Open media to browse and upload your AVI file.
- In the next window, go to Choose Profile and select an edition. In the list of formats select the desired format and click Save as File.
- Click Browse to choose where you want to save your file. Then click Save and the conversion of your AVI on a Mac will begin.
Pros:
It is free and fast.
A strong community with a lot of info on using the features online.
Cons:
The interface is a bit outdated, and the conversion process is not straightforward.
No support for old versions.
5. HandBrake
Why I picked it: It’s not for everyone but I enjoy how much control it gives me over quality and settings. It also makes the list because it is open-source.
This is a free AVI converter for all operating systems. Easily convert your AVI video into one of the wide selection of codecs supported by this tool.
Platform: Desktop
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
How to convert AVI to Mac-supported formats with HandBrake
- Download HandBrake and open it.
Download HandBrake - Click on Source to choose your AVI video file.
- Choose the Destination for your converted file.
- Click Output Settings > Format and choose the desired file format you are converting to.
- Click Start to begin the conversion.
Pros:
Available as a free download, it offers advanced video conversion.
I love the selection of other features such as presets and titles.
Cons:
It is not very user-friendly in design for beginners and the learning curve is steep if you are new to editing.
Why I picked it: When I needed to process big files quickly, this app did so. I also liked its support for many formats and the fact it’s regularly updated.
This Mac AVI converter offers fast conversion speed and supports a variety of output formats. It gets regular updates and there is support available.
Platform: Desktop
OS: macOS X 10.6 or higher, Windows
How to use MacX Video Converter Pro
- Download and install MacX Video Converter Pro.
Download MacX Video Converter Pro - Click Add Videos or drag and drop.
- Click File to select your desired output video/audio format.
- Choose the destination folder.
- Click Run.
Ratings
Pros:
It is user-friendly and has a free trial version available
Supports numerous file formats
Fast and reliable conversions and includes editing tools and features
Regularly updated by software team
Efficient with file sizes
Cons:
The pro version is paid, and the editing features are somewhat limited.
7. CloudConvert
Why I picked it: It’s another option when I don’t want to install anything. I can upload straight from my browser or cloud storage and wait for the finished file.
This is a free online AVI video file converter. I found it to have an easy-to-navigate interface. It also supports a wide range of file formats for a free program that works online.
Platform: Online
OS: Any (web-based service)
How to use CloudConvert
- Go to the CloudConvert website.
Visit CloudConvert - Click Add files to browse and select files from your computer or cloud storage.
- Select the desired output format.
- Click Convert.
- Click Download to save to your computer.
Pros:
It is suitable for all experience levels.
Offers tools to modify the resolution and file size.
Cons:
The free version only allows up to 10 conversions per day. I found this frustrating.
Complex credits system if you want to pay to use more.
Bonus: How to convert an AVI video on a Mac with a command line
The next way to convert your AVI files is to use FFmpeg – a command-line conversion tool. This option is better suited to those with at least some basic coding understanding.
How to use FFmpeg:
- Download and install the program on your Mac.
Download FFmpeg - Find the Terminal app and then initiate it.
- Drag and drop FFmpeg to the Terminal.
- Type the command –i. Add the original AVI video into Terminal.Then enter xxx(the output file name).mp4.For individual AVI file conversion, you need to type this line:-i input.flv xxx.mp4.If you’re batch processing multiple files, type the following:for i in .avi; do name=`echo "$i" | cut -d'.' -f1` echo "$name" ffmpeg -i "$i" "${name}.mp4" done or for i in .avi; do ffmpeg -i "$i" "${i%.*}.mp4"; done.
- Press Enter to convert your AVI videos to MP4.
Useful conversion tips
There are some simple steps that will make sure that your process is more straightforward. Picking the best AVI file converter for Mac is just one part of the puzzle:
- Save the video to a local drive for faster processing (especially if using software).
- Stick to MP4 or MOV if you want maximum playback support.
- Adjust bitrate and resolution if the output looks off.
- It is easier to do batch conversions on software that supports this like Movavi or FFmpeg.
How to choose the Best AVI converter
When you start looking for an AVI file converter for a Mac, the options might seem unlimited.
For most people, Movavi Video Converter is a strong all-rounder with presets as well as advanced editing functions.
I found Prism Video Converter to be very easy – so it is recommended for beginners. For open-source fans, HandBrake gives detailed controls but no price tag.
Some people also look to make a quick conversion as a one-off web task. If I don’t want to use specific software on my hard drive, I’ll use CloudConvert or Zamzar to make a quick conversion.
By testing out some of the above-mentioned options, you will soon find an AVI converter for a Mac (free or paid) that suits your needs.
Prism Video Converter
Editor's choice
Movavi Video Converter
MacX Video Converter Pro
What is an AVI file?
Movavi Video Converter
The ideal way to get your media in the format you need!
Frequently asked questions
How do I play AVI files on a Mac?
How do I play AVI files on a Mac?
If you are looking at how to play AVI files on a Mac, first, you will need to download an AVI player for your Mac. The iOS operating system doesn’t read AVI format, so if you want to watch AVI videos on your Macbook (or even just open AVI on your Mac), you need to find a software program that supports the AVI format. We recommend VLC.
What is the best AVI converter for Mac?
What is the best AVI converter for Mac?
Here are some of the best AVI converters:
Movavi Video Converter
Prism Video Converter
VLC
HandBrake
MacX Video Converter Pro
Zamzar
CloudConvert
How do I convert AVI to MP4 on a Mac?
How do I convert AVI to MP4 on a Mac?
You will need to download an AVI-to-MP4 converter on your Mac. If you are looking to convert AVI to MP4 on a Mac, VLC is a free, reliable option that supports a wide range of file formats and offers fast conversions. One of the best Mac AVI converters is Movavi Video Converter. It supports 180+ file formats, has an intuitive interface, and offers fast, high-quality file conversions at an affordable price.
Does Mac support AVI?
Does Mac support AVI?
The built-in Mac media player, QuickTime, doesn’t support the AVI codec. This is why you need to use a third-party AVI movie viewer or an AVI video converter Mac-compatible software program or online tool.
How do I import AVI video files to iMovie on a Mac?
How do I import AVI video files to iMovie on a Mac?
Download Movavi Video Converter to easily convert your AVI files and then import them into iMovie.
How do I convert an AVI file to QuickTime for Mac?
How do I convert an AVI file to QuickTime for Mac?
Open any of the converters above first. Choose MOV or whatever file you desire as your output format and start the conversion. HandBrake lets you export AVI to MOV as well if you want an OS alternative.
See other useful how-to guides
How to convert AVI files to the MP4 format on Mac
How to convert FLAC files to MP3 on Mac
How to convert MP4 to MP3 on your Mac
Convert WebM to MP4 Online [Free, Fast & Easy]
How to convert MP4 to AAC
What Is an M4V File and How to Open M4V Format?
10 Best Free Image Converters in 2025 – Movavi Converter
M4V to MP3 Converter [Online & Free] – Movavi Video Converter
How to Compress QuickTime Videos in 4 Easy Steps
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