HandBrake is a free, open-source video transcoder that converts video from nearly any format to widely supported codecs. Whether you need to compress large video files, convert for specific devices, or prepare videos for streaming, HandBrake provides the tools needed.
The software supports most common video formats as input including popular container formats like MP4, MKV, AVI, and MOV. Output options focus on the most compatible formats: MP4 and MKV containers with H.264, H.265/HEVC, VP8, VP9, and AV1 video codecs.
HandBrake leverages hardware encoding through Intel Quick Sync Video, AMD VCE, and NVIDIA NVENC for dramatically faster encoding when available. Software encoding uses x264, x265, and SVT-AV1 for maximum quality and compression efficiency.
Preset profiles simplify encoding for specific devices including Apple TV, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, and web optimization. Quality-based encoding ensures consistent visual quality regardless of source complexity. Two-pass encoding maximizes quality for size-constrained output.
Audio handling includes AAC, MP3, FLAC, and AC3 encoding with passthrough options for compatible streams. Multiple audio tracks can be included with different codecs and languages. Subtitle support handles VobSub, PGS, SSA/ASS, and SRT formats with burn-in options for universal compatibility.
The chapter markers feature preserves chapter information from disc sources. Batch encoding through the queue processes multiple videos unattended. Basic video filters provide deinterlacing, denoising, and cropping. HandBrake runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.