Icon of program: HandBrake

HandBrake for Mac

  • Free
  • 3.9
    432
  • 351.6K
  • V1.11.1
Free Download for Mac

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A free, capable converter

HandBrake is a multimedia app created by dedicated volunteers. It’s a video converter that helps users transform videos from nearly any format into modern, widely supported codecs. The software is reliable, simple to use, and trusted by many people who need an efficient way to manage and convert media files quickly every day. 

Top Recommended Alternative

One of the best things about HandBrake is that it is completely free to use. It also works across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. This flexibility makes it a great choice for students, creators, and everyday users who need dependable video conversion tools worldwide. 

Quality performance 

HandBrake is a strong open-source option for anyone who wants to rip DVDs without paying for expensive software. Even though it is completely free, it delivers impressive conversion quality and dependable performance. The program offers advanced tools such as two-pass encoding, dual soundtrack support, and a bitrate calculator that adjusts video quality based on your preferred final file size for better storage management and smoother playback on many devices. 

Another useful feature is the ability to trim black bars from movies, helping maximize screen space while reducing wasted file size. It also includes chapter selection, basic subtitle support burned directly into the picture, and grayscale encoding options. These tools make it practical for users who want more control over how their videos look and play after conversion on computers or media players everywhere. 

The simple interface makes converting DVDs and similar sources easy, allowing users to quickly create MPEG-4 files for storage. The program supports VIDEO_TS folders, VOB files, TS files, DVD images, and physical discs. Some protected DVDs require third-party tools for decryption. Although it remains an excellent free solution for ripping and converting DVDs, one con is that occasional crashes or setup issues might affect some users.

A robust encoder

Overall, HandBrake remains one of the best free tools for video conversion and DVD ripping. Its open-source design, wide format support, and advanced features make it useful for beginners and experienced users alike. Cross-platform compatibility adds even more value. While occasional crashes or setup issues may happen, it still offers excellent performance without costing anything, making it a smart choice for everyday media tasks and projects.

  • Pros

    • Free to use
    • Quick conversions
    • Cross-platform compatibility
    • Advanced tools
  • Cons

    • Occasional crashes
    • Setup issues
 0/3

App specs

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages


Icon of program: HandBrake

HandBrake for Mac

  • Free
  • 3.9
    432
  • 351.6K
  • V1.11.1
Free Download for Mac

View an ad to download for free


User reviews about HandBrake

3.9

3 reviews

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Main reviews for you

  • Anonymous user

    Good tool for converting videos. Great tool for converting videos. It converts video with multiple formats. Hand Brake offers several customization options. Users may optimize the quality of converted video. You may use preview option and open video in separate window once the conversion is completed. This allows to adjust settings and make sure everything is ok before you burn CD or save it. There is no need to be a compuer genius to understand how it works. Convertion speed is the main drawback. Pros: User friendly interface Cons: Conversion time is the main drawback

  • Anonymous user

    Too easy to convert DVDs to iPad/iTouch format.. I downloaded this program to convert DVDs for use on our iProducts and could do so without reading the manual. I haven't yet needed it for anything else so I'm completely satisfied with the turn out and happy that its free! I'm 28 for 28 on DVDs I've converted so far. The conversion times are long, but are right on track with some Windows based conversion products I've used in the past. The interface 'could' be more user-friendly. Pros: Simple interfaceEasy transitionGlitch/problem free Cons: Long conversion times

  • Anonymous user

    Great program, easy to use. Handbrake is easy to use and works on most videos I have tried. This is my first video conversion program so I was able to learn to use it from the instructions that came with the download. The program takes awhile to do the conversion so it is best to set it up and go do something else. Pros: easy to use Cons: slow

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Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.
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Is HandBrake safe?

100/100

Score result: Clean

This file passed a comprehensive security scan using VirusTotal technology. It is safe to download.

  • Virus free
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  • Malware free
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Scan Info

Last scan
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Scan provider
VirusTotal · Full report

File Integrity

File
HandBrake-1.11.1.dmg
SHA256
0973dcc4ccf53388498fbb35dbf7118b28276f2fe4ecbf08eca8596985f2c684
SHA1
78fe07d7883a5556f39595dfa5328218317d29f1

Softonic security commitment

HandBrake has been thoroughly scanned by our advanced security systems and verified by industry-leading partners. This file comes from the official developer and has passed all our security checks, showing no signs of viruses, malware, or spyware. For more information, visit our Security and Trust Center