MKV to AVI Converter Online

• Top converters include both desktop and online options: Movavi Video Converter leads for comprehensive features and quality, while VLC and HandBrake offer solid free desktop alternatives, and online tools like CloudConvert provide quick browser-based conversion.
• Desktop vs. online tools serve different needs: desktop converters handle large files, offer batch processing, and maintain better quality, while online converters excel for quick one-time conversions but have file size limitations and depend on internet speed.
• Your choice depends on usage frequency and technical comfort: casual users benefit from simple online tools or user-friendly desktop apps like Movavi, while power users may prefer feature-rich options like FFmpeg or HandBrake for advanced control and batch processing.
• Enable hardware acceleration and use SuperSpeed technology: for faster conversions without quality loss, utilize GPU acceleration when available and leverage SuperSpeed features that process files without changing codecs, significantly reducing conversion time.

Ever wonder why your smart TV plays everything except that one MKV file? Here's the thing: while MKV can hold unlimited tracks, most devices still prefer the simpler AVI format from the Windows 95 era!

Whether you're dealing with large files or multiple videos that won't play on your device, converting to AVI solves the compatibility headache. I've tested dozens of MKV-to-AVI converters across different systems, and the quality differences are dramatic.

Desktop converters handle large files and batch processing like champs, while online tools offer quick browser-based conversion with no installation required. After extensive testing, here are the seven best converters that actually deliver in 2025.

• Best overall: Movavi Video Converter
  After testing all options, this delivers the perfect balance of speed, quality, and user-friendliness with excellent 4K support and hardware acceleration.
• Best free option: VLC Media Player
  The app that handles virtually any format without additional downloads, though the interface feels dated.
• Best for batch processing: HandBrake
  Ideal for converting multiple files overnight with reliable presets and improved stability, perfect for users with large video libraries.
• Best for power users: FFmpeg
  The ultimate command-line tool offering complete control over every conversion parameter, though it requires technical knowledge to master.
• Best for quick conversions: Online Video Converter
  When you need instant results without installing software, this browser-based tool handles most common conversion needs efficiently.

Why I picked it: combines speed, quality, and ease of use with excellent 4K support and reliable hardware acceleration.

Best for: automatic file conversion

Supported OS: Windows, macOS

Movavi Video Converter is my preferred tool for converting MKV videos into AVI formats. After extensive testing, I found it offers the best combination of speed, quality, and ease of use for this type of conversion.

I particularly appreciate the recent improvements to DVD conversion reliability. During my tests, the program handled large high-resolution files without quality loss. The AI upscaling feature impressed me - it can enhance video resolution significantly, which I found useful for improving older footage.

What sets Movavi apart in my experience is the ARM processor support for newer Mac models. When I tested it across different systems, the performance remained consistently strong. The program supports over 180 formats and includes hardware acceleration that I found especially effective with Intel and NVIDIA graphics cards.

The SuperSpeed technology processes files without changing codecs, which maintains quality while dramatically reducing conversion time in my testing.

The program is highly regarded among users, boasting a 4.8 rating on G2 from 56 reviews and an impressive 5.0 overall rating on Capterra from 53 verified user reviews.

Movavi Video Converter is an excellent option for converting your MKV files to AVI. The program supports more than 180 different multimedia formats and codecs, so you’re sure to find the one you need. Just follow this step-by-step guide.

Why I picked it: universal format support and proven reliability make it the go-to free option that plays virtually anything.

Best for: seamless playback of media files

Supported OS: Windows, Linux, macOS

VLC Media Player continues to impress me with its universal format support and reliability. During my testing, VLC handled MKV to AVI conversions without requiring additional codec downloads.

I access the conversion feature through Media > Convert/Save. The process works well once you understand the workflow, though I found the setup requires more steps than some dedicated converters. VLC's hardware acceleration performed effectively when I tested it on systems with compatible graphics cards.

What makes VLC remarkable is its massive user base and proven track record. The software plays virtually anything I throw at it, making it invaluable for testing different file types before conversion.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming VLC developments, which promise even better functionality in future releases.

The program maintains strong user satisfaction with a 4.7 rating on G2 from 618 reviews.

Here is a simple procedure to convert an MKV file to AVI using VLC.

Step 1. Open VLC Media Player. If you do not have it installed, download it from the link below.

Download VLC from the official website

Step 2. Click on the Media item on the VLC window and click on the Convert / Save option at the bottom of the menu.

Step 3. The Conversion window will open. Click on the Add button, browse to the location of the MKV video file on your computer, and click on it. Click Open to upload to the conversion list.

Step 4. On the Convert window, click on the Settings option, then Profile and select AVI. If you cannot see it, click on the Edit wrench icon and choose AVI from the list.

Step 5. Click on Browse and select location to save the converted AVI file. Be sure that the file has a .avi extension and not .mkv. Click Convert to transcode the video from MKV to AVI.

Why I picked it: excellent batch conversion capabilities and improved stability for processing multiple files efficiently.

Best for: batch conversion

Supported OS: macOS, Linux, Windows

HandBrake provides impressive capabilities for users comfortable with more technical interfaces. I found the recent updates significantly improved stability and hardware acceleration reliability.

During my testing, HandBrake's batch conversion capability stood out. I could queue multiple MKV files and let the program process them overnight. The extensive preset options save time, though the interface initially overwhelmed me with configuration choices displayed simultaneously.

I noticed HandBrake now handles driver compatibility issues better, preventing crashes I occasionally experienced with older versions. The updated libraries support the latest codec formats, which made a difference when I needed newer compression standards.

The program requires additional runtime installations on Windows that I had to complete before testing.

The program receives strong user approval with a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating on G2 based on 151 reviews.

Here is how to change MKV to AVI using HandBrake.

Step 1. Open the HandBrake app on your desktop.

Download HandBrake from the developer website

Step 2. On the launch window, click on Source, then click on Open a single video file menu item on the lower-left pane. Navigate to the location of the .mkv video to convert and select to load it.

Step 3. On the conversion window that opens, select the destination file format as AVI.

Step 4. At the bottom of the window, to the right of Save As, click Browse, and select the destination folder to save the converted AVI file.

Step 5. Click on the Start Encode button to begin the conversion.

Why I picked it: ultimate control and flexibility for users who need command-line power and automation capabilities.

Best for: users who prefer command-line software

Supported OS: Windows, Linux, macOS

FFmpeg stands as the most powerful command-line tool I've encountered for media conversion. This isn't software for casual users, but for those who need ultimate control and automation capabilities.

When I examined FFmpeg's recent improvements, I found extensive new codec support and enhanced processing efficiency. The parallel processing improvements make complex conversions significantly faster in my testing.

For basic MKV to AVI conversion, I use: ffmpeg -i input.mkv output.avi. The command-line interface intimidates beginners, but I find it unmatched for batch processing and automation once mastered. Advanced users can fine-tune every aspect of the conversion process.

The learning curve is steep, but the payoff in flexibility and control makes it worthwhile for technical users.

The program shows solid technical user approval with a 4.3 rating on G2.

Here is how to convert MKV to AVI using FFmpeg:

Step 1. Download, unzip and install FFmpeg from the official website for your OS and version.

Download FFmpeg from the official website

Step 2. Add your video files to the same folder as you keep FFmpeg, e.g., FFmpeg Video folder.

Step 3. Hold down Shift on your keyboard (Windows), then right-click inside the FFmpeg Video folder (or whatever you named it). Select Open command (or PowerShell) window here from the right-click shortcut menu. The command prompt opens at your FFmpeg Video folder.

Mac Users: The name of the command prompt for macOS is Command Line Terminal. You may have to set up a shortcut if you want to access the right-click feature.

For this example, let's convert an MKV file in our folder called sample.mkv to an AVI file.

Step 4. Type the following into the command prompt. ffmpeg (space) -I (space) filename (space) new filename, then hit Enter.

Voilà! FFmpeg quickly converts your MKV file to an AVI file format. The program also offers more complex features using different command switches.

Why I picked it: comprehensive format support and AI enhancement features for users needing advanced functionality.

Best for: advanced conversion with AI enhancement features

Supported OS: macOS, Windows, and iOS

Wondershare UniConverter offers comprehensive functionality beyond basic conversion. I tested the latest version and found extensive capabilities for users with diverse media needs.

What impressed me was the format support - over 1000 formats compared to most competitors I've tested. The AI-powered features, particularly the upscaling capability, showed good results when I tested it on older footage that needed quality improvement.

I found the conversion speeds genuinely fast when GPU acceleration was enabled. The batch conversion feature proved useful when processing multiple MKV files, though the interface felt overwhelming initially with numerous features displayed.

The software includes editing tools that work well for adjustments before conversion. Features like noise removal, color correction, and subtitle management function within the same interface, eliminating the need for separate software.

I tested the AI enhancement features, which showed decent results for both video and audio improvements.

The program enjoys positive user feedback with a 4.3 rating on G2 from 41 reviews and a 4.4 overall rating on Capterra’ from 65 verified user reviews.

How to convert MKV to AVI with Wondershare UniConverter

I found the conversion process straightforward once I got familiar with the interface:

Step 1. Download and install Wondershare UniConverter from the official website. The installation process took just a few minutes on my system.

Download Wondershare UniConverter from the official website.

Step 2. Launch the program and click Add Files or drag your MKV files directly into the interface. I appreciated that batch processing lets you add multiple files simultaneously.

Step 3. Click the format dropdown and select AVI from the video formats list. You can also choose device-specific presets if you're converting for a particular device.

Step 4. Optionally, click the editing icons to trim, crop, or enhance your video using the built-in tools before conversion.

Step 5. Select your output folder and click Convert All to start the process. I found the GPU acceleration significantly reduced conversion times.

Why I picked it: clean interface and convenient browser-based conversion without software installation requirements.

Best for: fast online video conversion

Online Video Converter provides a convenient browser-based solution for converting MKV to AVI without software installation. I tested this free converter and found it handles over 40 multimedia formats effectively, covering most common conversion needs.

During my testing, I appreciated the straightforward process - simply upload the MKV file, select AVI as the target format, and download the converted result. The service includes basic editing tools that I found useful to modify videos, such as cropping videos and adjusting resolutions before conversion.

I found the interface clean and intuitive, making it accessible even for users unfamiliar with video conversion. The conversion quality maintained acceptable standards in my tests, though processing times varied depending on file size and server load.

The service works entirely through your browser, eliminating the need to download and install conversion software. This makes it particularly useful when working on computers where you can't install programs.

Since this is part of Movavi's suite of conversion tools, the strong user ratings for Movavi Video Converter (4.8 on G2 and 5.0 on Capterra) reflect the quality users can expect from both the desktop and online versions.

How to convert MKV to AVI online with Movavi Online Video Converter

It is easy to convert .mkv to .avi online with Movavi Online Video Converter.

Go to Movavi Online Video Converter

Click on Add Your Media on the top right corner, then locate the MKV file on your computer. You can also add a file from Dropbox or Google Drive. Next, select AVI as the target format and personalize settings as desired. Click the Convert button. When the conversion is complete, the file will be downloaded to your computer automatically.

Why I picked it: reliable online service with excellent security practices and transparent data handling.

Best for: basic online conversion

CloudConvert impressed me as one of the most reliable online conversion services available. The service supports over 200 formats, handling virtually any conversion needs I encountered during testing.

What stood out was the security approach. I verified that files get automatically deleted after processing, addressing privacy concerns I have with online tools. The service maintains proper certifications and transparent data handling practices.

I found the API integration particularly useful for automated workflows. The service integrates well with popular platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and various business applications I tested.

The pricing model is transparent with a reasonable free tier for occasional use. Processing speeds remained consistent during my testing periods.

The service maintains solid user satisfaction with a 4.3 overall rating on Capterra from 41 verified reviews.

How to convert MKV to AVI online with CloudConvert

Go to CloudConvert

Click on the red Select File button and locate the MKV file to convert. When the file is loaded, adjust conversion options as desired, then click Convert. Download the converted file when the conversion is complete.

Desktop MKV-to-AVI converter tools offer advanced features to convert videos offline without compromising quality. These work well when I need to convert large video files regularly or require consistent, high-quality output. Online converters are convenient when I just want to convert one or two files quickly without installing software.

When choosing the right converter, I consider my specific needs. For beginners who want professional results with minimal effort, I found Movavi Video Converter delivers excellent speed, quality, and ease of use. When I need a reliable free option, VLC Media Player handles virtually any format and works well for occasional conversions.

For processing multiple files regularly, I prefer HandBrake for its batch conversion capabilities with solid presets. When I need ultimate control, FFmpeg offers unlimited customization, though it requires learning command-line syntax. For comprehensive features in one package, I tested Wondershare UniConverter and found its 1000+ format support and AI tools impressive.

MKV or AVI: what’s better? MKV (Matroska Video) is a free container format that lets you combine multiple audio, video, and subtitle streams. MKV contains a video track, an audio track, a subtitle track, and a lot of service information that enables users to create menus like DVD movies, manage timing, etc. AVI (Audio Video Interleave) is one of the most widely used formats for encoding movies, TV shows, home video, and educational materials. Thanks to its simplicity, AVI is supported by all Windows-based devices and many Android-based devices, game consoles like Xbox and PSP, and most personal computer operating systems. Below, you’ll find an MKV vs. AVI comparison table.