Video compressing is a less-known but needed feature for most. We’re in a time where even a minute of video recorded from an average phone weighs over half a gigabyte.
This could be hard for someone to store those frequent recordings that are amassing in a data load. Thus, we look for a way to compress them without spoiling much of the clarity. This happens with the help of video compression or conversion software, which is mostly free.
There are a few disadvantages of compressing a video, like the output having an unknown byte/pixel relationship, decompressing previous data if needed, etc. Still, the advantage of these best video compression software is that the reduced data size outweighs all these factors.
Though the word conversion and compression are different, both are based on the same background concept and result in the same output – video with reduced data size and clarity.
Best Video Compression Software for Windows & Mac
The list we compiled below is of the best video compression software for Windows and Mac that are mostly free and have basic conversion tools to get the job done. Check out:
This software lets you download videos directly from YouTube and compress them accordingly. It supports hundreds of video formats and offers plenty of compressing options, such as bit rate, frame rate, file size, resolution, etc.
You can burn video to CD, fix metadata, make GIFs, and more at faster speeds. This is available for free on Windows and macOS.
2. Miro Video Converter
This free and open-source platform converts (eventually compresses) several videos to MP4. It can customize and batch videos and share content directly to Android or Apple devices. There are no ads, and the software is limited to the basic job of converting only. After all, it supports Windows, macOS, and even Linux.
3. Handbrake
Handbrake started as video ripping software for converting DVDs to digital content. Now, it has evolved with many features to survive the competition. It’s capable of not just basic converting but much more.
It gives the user plenty of options to customize the output in bitrate, sample rate, scaling, cropping, interlacing, etc. It can also remove DRM and transcode the video to a Blu-ray disc. Once you have it, you’ll explore more.
4. MeGUI
MeGUI isn’t known much to the community, but it’s notable. It has one of the simplest UIs for navigating and processing jobs. One needs to master the tools it provides, as it seems made for professionals only.
But with the right knowledge, you can do the conversion (identifies the input automatically), and editing works. If hardware such as multi-core is provided, the process is even faster and smoother.
5. Any Video Converter
A pretty common name, though, but good at doing the job. Its platform got everything from downloading a video from online sites for compression, editing, and uploading to various devices like phones and gaming consoles.
It serves basic video conversion and editing features for most video formats, making it considerable for quick conversion. It’s available for both Windows and macOS.
6. Avidemux
Avidemux is more of a video editor than just a converter. Besides compressing and transcoding the video, it can add basic visual effects and adjoining audio to running the video. It supports all regular video formats and even configures the output accordingly. Though it’s a GUI program, it can also run from the command line.
7. VideoProc
VideoProc is probably the strongest in this field, having support for over 400 types of video outputs. This platform has a free version that satisfies most essentials, but upgrading to a paid version could bring ultimate features.
This includes converting the 4K files to half their size without compromising in quality. Finally, it leverages the GPU hardware acceleration of the chipset to make the process smoother and faster. It’s available for Windows and macOS.
8. Format Factory
One of the finest ones in the industry, Format Factory does not just video compressing but also converting, joining multiple files, ripping CDs and DVDs into other formats, etc.
Besides supporting a wide range of video formats, it extends these compressing/converting services to audio and pictures. Thus, it’s an extensive platform that supports major media content, which can readily be made into ISO files for free!
9. Freemake Video Converter
Free adware software provides basic tools to convert/compress videos and edit them. It supports various file formats and covers video, audio, and pictures.
It can burn CDs and DVDs into videos and upload them directly to YouTube, Apple devices, PlayStation, phones, etc. It does basic-level video editing and is good for beginners. As of now, it’s available only for Windows.
10. Hybrid
Hybrid is pretty straightforward in telling users what they need to know about using this. It’s free and supports Windows and Linux platforms. It works for both audio and video, converting and stuffing the output into Blu-ray.
In terms of video compression, it’s doing its job without any flaws, and if the user masters the tools it gives, it’s worth considering.
