11 Best Video Converter for Mac in 2023 (Inc. M1/M2 Macs)

Jose Henline
December 28, 2022 Preview 19.2K Preview 2
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Want to digitize your DVD or just getting started or need to convert or compress videos for YouTube, instagram, or TikTok, etc. the right video converting apps for your Mac can make a world of difference. 

With a good video converter, you can do basic format converting, dvd ripping, even video downloading and compressing. This helps you watching any videos easily on any device you choose, sharing videos online, and sending videos at ease. 


Finding the best video converter that suite your needs can be tricky, because you've never had more choices. You can use apps you already installed on you Mac like VLC, Quicktime to convert between video and audio files, you can also get some free video converters like smart converter, handbrake, also you can pay to get video converters that is easy to use and provides bunches of useful features.

That's why we test and review the most well know video converting apps, covering everything from performance to price to extra function. We’ve also collect some of the most asked questions on choosing a great video converter at the end of this post. Read on to learn more.

Top 2 Mac Video Converters We Recommend 

Best Choice Overall - Cisdem Video Converter for Mac

Cisdem Video Converter for Mac is our current pick for the best Video Converter for Mac overall. While It’s video converting speed is only average compared to the competition, in every other aspect it is the best. It's support most of the video and audio format, can rip DVD movies and download videos from 1000+ video sharing websites. What impress us most is that it provides very good output quality, just the same as the original video and DVD. 


Best Value - Smart Converter

If you are looking for a free Video Converter for Mac, The Smart Converter is our top recommendation. Just as it’s name, this app is light weight, it has presets for an extensive list of devices and the converted file comes with amazing quality, it well automatically send converted videos into itunes. Though it has the longest converting times compared with other video converting apps.(took about 2 hour to convert a 53:05 minutes video)
 

#1 Cisdem Video Converter - Best Choice Overall

Compatibility: macOS 10.10 or later
User Friendliness: 10 / 10
Video Format Support: 10 / 10
Video Editing Features: 9 / 10
DVD Ripping Support: 10 / 10
Video Compress Support: 9 / 10
Video Converting Speed: 8 / 10 
Price: $49.99 for Lifetime

Cisdem Video Converter is a piece of robust software I highly recommend. It runs on macOS 10.12 or later, including 13.0 Ventura.

It has many useful features, like HD video converting, editing, downloading, and rip DVD titles to computers in digital formats.

Free Download

Main features of Cisdem Video Converter:

Rich Video Handling functions: Cisdem Mac Video Converter is a professional converter packed with more functions than you think out. It is an all-in-one solution for video entertainment.

With it, you can convert your video to any format you want. It also can rip DVD movies, download videos from YouTube, Google, Yahoo, Vimeo, and join several video files into one.

What is more, you can edit your videos before you convert them, and put your own watermark.

Great format compatibility: It lets you convert video amongst 300+ formats such as AVI to MP4, AVI to WMV, YouTube to MP4, SD to HD video formats, HD to SD video formats, etc. Besides the popular formats, it also supports a heap of pre-configured device profiles for iPhone, iPad, iMovie, tablets, game consoles, etc.

The highest speed of conversion: The app utilizes an advanced media conversion engine internally to speed up tasks and have the output delivered at 30x faster speed.

The highest quality of the conversion: Cisdem is known to provide a lossless quality of the video. The conversion won't compromise on the quality, regardless of converting 1080p, 4k, or 8k videos. Plus, with the High Efficiency Video Codec (H.265/HEVC), this safe video converter will export videos at a smaller size while with quality kept.

best video converter mac- cisdem

Advantages:

  1. Retain original output quality, whether you convert audio or video files
  2. Take a short time to decode large or over-sized files
  3. Support high-resolution videos, including 8k
  4. Download videos from 1000+ sites

Disadvantages:

  1. Only run on Mac
 
Verdict – It is the best Video Converter for Mac with its ease of usage and output quality.

Cisdem best video converter for Mac download >>

#2 Smart Converter

Compatibility: macOS 10.13 or later
User Friendliness: 9 / 10
Video Format Support: 8 / 10
Video Editing Features: 0 / 10
DVD Ripping Support: 0 / 10
Video Compress Support: 4 / 10
Video Converting Speed: 6 / 10 
Price: Free

The smart converter is most popular video converter on Mac App Store, it is totally free to use and it supports convert between 100+ formats on Mac, including MP4, MKV, AVI, FLV, MOV, WMV, etc. it doesn't show video formats in the 1interface, instead it shows all the output format as device, so you can choose a video format according to the destined output device. Is video converting speed is quite slow, but you are expected to get a good quality video, most of the time, the video will comes in 1080p, which is very impressive. One of it's special feature is that, it will automatically send videos to itunes, after the conversion finished. This function is good for some people, but it also annoying for some people, as most of the time they just dont need to play the output video on iTunes.

​

#3 VLC 

VLC, formerly named the VideoLAN Client, is not just a media player but also a video transcoder.

Why VLC comes second at the best video converter 2023? First, it can run in the most popular system like Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, Solaris, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, QNX, Haiku, Syllable. Second, it is a free resource. VLC is available on App stores. You can download it free. Third, VLC can convert a large number of formats. Of course, the number depends on the operating system you use.

best video converter mac- vlc

Advantages:

  1. The compatibility is decent, as it can convert most of the videos
  2. Convert a few HD videos which can satisfy our request
  3. The output quality is not so bad

Disadvantages:

  1. Unable to edit footage before conversion
  2. Lose video quality when transcoding some large videos
  3. The resulting video may not contain the original audio

VLC best video converter for Mac download >>

#4 iSkysoft Video Converter for Mac 

iSkysoft Video Converter is commercial software and can work on Mac OS X 10.10 or later. It is an easy-to-use video converter with the ability to convert video from or to most formats, like AVI, MPEG 1,2, MP4, 3GP, Flash (FLV), MP3, WAV, AAC, just to mention a few.

Plus, the software ensures that you edit the video before converting it, as well as download the video from the Web or update the video from Yahoo.

Thanks to hardware acceleration (NVIDIA and Intel HD Graphics) for GPUs, iSkysoft Video Converter makes the conversion speed very fast - up to 90x. But quality is inevitably lost because of excessive compression.

iskysoft video converter review

Advantages:

  1. Support all popular formats
  2. Ready-made presets for mobile devices including Apple and Android devices
  3. Clean intuitive interface

Disadvantages:

  1. The quality of the converted file is not good
  2. Customer service does not exist for the company
  3. The price is too high

iSkysoft best video converter for Mac download >>

#5 MacX Video Converter Pro for Mac 

MacX Video Converter Pro, published by Didiarty, is a video converter used for multiple purposes. As one of the best versatile video converters for Mac, it's able to convert video, download video, make photo slideshow, record screen, and edit video.

This app can convert 180+ formats, including MKV, M2TS, MP4, AVI, WMV, FLV, MOV, etc. It can download online video & audio from 300+ sites, like Google, Yahoo. It also likes the Cisdem Video Converter that can edit and enhance videos for a better output visual.

However, MacX Video Converter Pro is not convenient to use. The interface is a bit complicated and old-fashioned.

macx video converter pro review

Advantages:

  1. Support 320 video and 50 audio codecs
  2. Ability to download videos, songs, or images

Disadvantages:

  1. Still, a few online videos can’t be downloaded
  2. Editing features are not good and limited, wasting time to customize video

MacX best video converter for Mac download>>

#6 Handbrake 

Handbrake is another free video converter. It appeared after VLC. VLC incorporates its functions and adds some helpful ones that Handbrake does not. But Handbrake also has its unique features.

At first, it can rip DVD movies into other formats. Secondly, it can convert HD video. Handbrake was released in 2003. Its main function is to rip DVD, which has been added with its development. In 2007, it received more support: it can convert videos from one popular format to another. Now it merely supports simple video conversion (video to MP4 or MKV). If you convert a small video, it is lossless. Whereas converting big files, you may encounter annoying problems.

best video converter mac- handbrake

Advantages:

  1. Free to use
  2. The speed of the Handbrake is as fast as VLC
  3. The quality is acceptable

Disadvantages:

  1. Can’t convert to a lot of formats
  2. The system is unstable. It sometimes shut down when you converting

Handbrake best video converter for Mac >>

#7 MPEG Streamclip 

MPEG Streamclip is a powerful video player, editor, and conversion tool for Mac and Windows. It's also a great organizational tool for all of your videos and media. You can play videos, edit videos with cut, copy, paste, and trim before converting them.

If you choose it as a player, you can play all of the video files through it. For MPEG Streamclip conversion, it's fast, flexible. It supports several input formats like MPEG, VOB, PS, M2P, MOD, VRO, DAT, MOV, DV, AVI, MP4, TS, M2T, MMV, REC, and so on. Although it is not the newest video converter, it can convert among some popular formats.

When it comes to output quality, it will be low and sacrificed during the conversion process.

best video converter mac- mpeg streamclip

Advantages:

  1. A free video converter
  2. Come with more functions, not just to convert videos
  3. Auto repair of time code breaks

Disadvantages:

  1. Hard to extract audio from video
  2. The formats it can convert are limited

MPEG Streamclip best video converter for Mac download >>

#8 DivX Converter 

DivX Converter for Mac, another standout converter software, is equipped with tons of excellent capabilities. You can upload videos from desktop, DropBox, and Google Drive. It helps you convert the added videos to DivX, MKV, and HEVC up to 4K, etc. on Mac. The converted videos are in very high resolution and multiple files can be processed at a time.

Meanwhile, this best video converter for Mac also assists you to edit, encode, add external audio, and add external subtitles to videos.

best video converter mac- divx

Advantages:

  1. Can convert videos to HEVC 4K and HEVC UHD
  2. Support to combine all videos into one file

Disadvantages:

  1. Install slowly and mislead you to download a couple of unwanted programs
  2. Very few output formats are supported
  3. Don’t contain a built-in player. To play videos, you need to start a DivX Player

Divx best video converter for Mac download >>

#9 Pavtube Video Converter for Mac 

Pavtube Video Converter should win a spot in the best video converter for Mac review as it converts high-definition videos from camcorders, digital video recorders and brings a set of editing tools. You can convert files to iPad Pro, PS4, Xbox One, DVD player, WD TV player, VCD/DVD/SVCD, etc. supported formats or create a customized option.

In addition, you are capable of editing videos, split & merge videos, and taking snapshots. And there's a built-in video player on the right side, you can preview changes of your videos in real-time.

best video converter mac- pavtube

Advantages:

  1. Support a wide range of output video formats/devices.
  2. Can split and merge videos

Disadvantages:

  1. Lack of the ability to download online videos
  2. The interface is a bit cumbersome

Pavtube best video converter for Mac download >>

#10 ImTOO Video Converter for Mac 

ImTOO is designed to convert videos, audio, and animated images. It offers certain admirable features, including a substantial collection of input and output files and some editing tools.

You can convert videos to optimized presets and multimedia formats, probably more than 150 file formats. As for the editing function, it allows you to merge, clip, crop video, add effect, and watermark. Also, general features like snapping images, preview, editing video & audio stream, etc. are supported.

best video converter mac- imtoo

Advantages:

  1. List a wide variety of video & audio formats
  2. Help to control over bitrate, frame rate, and more

Disadvantages:

  1. Can’t merge multiple files
  2. Only convert up to 800 x 600 video resolution

ImToo best video converter for Mac download >>

#11 Total Video Converter for Mac 

To those who love to combine, extract, convert, record, burn videos, this might not be the first time you are going to hear Total Video Converter. It’s extremely the best video converter for Mac that converts video to 3GP, MP4, PSP, PS3, iPod, iPhone, HDTV, DVD player, etc. and burn video to DVD, SVCD, VCD, AVCHD, Blu-Ray.

So if you have the demand to burn videos to DVD and record your computer screen within one application, it should be ideal conversion software you can give a try.

best video converter mac- total

Advantages:

  1. The conversion speed is twice as fast as the category average
  2. The category of supported devices is particularly clear and detailed

Disadvantages:

  1. The converted video was noticeable pixelation and blur
  2. The editor lacks basic functionality and performs practically no function

Total best video converter for Mac download >>

Comparison Table between 11 Video Converter apps 

Software Support Format Output Quality Speed Editing Tool DVD Rip Video Download
Cisdem Video Converter 200+ High Fast Yes Yes Yes
Smart Converter 100+ High Slow No No No
VLC 20+ Above Average Fast Poor Yes No
iSkysoft Video Converter 150+ Average Fast Yes No Yes
MacX Video Converter Pro 180+ Average Slow Yes No Yes
Handbrake 2 output format Above Average Fast Poor Yes No
MPEG Streamclip 20+ Below Average Slow Poor Yes Yes
DivX Converter 10+ High Average Yes Yes No
Pavtube Video Converter 80+ Below Average Slow Yes Yes No
ImTOO Video Converter 80+ Below Average Average Yes No No
Total Video Converter 70+ Below Average Above Average Poor Yes No

How to Turn Videos into Other Formats with the Best Video Converter for Mac?

Step 1. Download a safe video converter.

Take the number #1 – Cisdem Video Converter as an example. Download, Install and kick it off on your Mac.

Free Download

Step 2. Import media files to the app.

Drag music, movie, etc. video files manually to the workplace of the first interface (for video conversion).

import video files

Step 3. Select the desired format for each video.

choose formats

Step 4. For experienced users, tweak the “Advanced Settings”.

Click icon next to the format option to get into the settings window, from which you can change the format values, like codec, bitrate, resolution, etc.

adjust settings

Step 5. Start to encode video files by clicking the “Convert” icon in the bottom right corner.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Video Converter

Format: The app should support abundant formats, especially the HD video format. An increasing number of movies are in HD formats, however, our devices like the lower version iPhone can’t play them.
 

Convert large files: It’s able to convert media files of any size, even larger than 200MB.

Support more features rather than conversion only: To make a unique video, the transcoder should be able to edit the video. It would be better if it can download your uploaded video or web video.

Speed: The speed of a video converter is important. With a high speed, you can save time to a large extent.

Output quality: Top video converter should guarantee high video quality and result in zero loss, even handling 5k or 8k videos

Performance: when converting videos, the software won’t shut down suddenly or show other failures.

Given these criteria, we tested numerous programs for video encoding and decoding and pricked out the 10 best ones, the best free video converter for Mac included.

Conclusion

Videos need to be converted when they don't work on target devices or on particular social platforms like YouTube and Facebook. If you are wishing to convert your videos to compatible formats for the Mac platform, this article has discussed the top 10 applications (both paid and free ones mentioned), and all play important roles. Pick the best video converter for Mac to solve the compatibility issues, reduce video size, modify video values, and so on.

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Jose Henline
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Jose specializes in reviews, how-to guides, top lists, etc. on PDF, data recovery and multi-media. On his spare time, he likes to travel or challenge some extreme sports.

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Comments (2) Leave a Reply

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  • James Y. Navas

    Find a suitable video transcoder is too difficult. Your introduction gave me some ideas. I will try Cisdem and VLC.

    1 years ago Reply

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  • jime

    it is a wonderful review, give me a lot of help

    7 years ago Reply

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