What to look for in a Video Converter software
Video converters can do much more than just exchange file format. They can help you enhance, optimize, edit, and compress videos to suit your needs. Here are some tools you can find in video conversion applications.
- Output formats: The best converters have a wide range of file types so you can export your videos. From standard formats such as MP4, MOV and AVI to less commonly used ones such as MXF, OGV and 3GP, the more formats the program can convert, the more versatile they will be.
- Editing tools: Sometimes you want to change more than just the video format. All of the applications in this article include at least some editing features, such as cropping, trimming, and adding effects. Built-in editors also allow you to change the video speed, add watermarks and captions, and adjust video image values such as brightness, hue, and saturation.
- Optimization profiles: Simply flipping the video format is often only half of what you need. Each device, sharing platform and media player has unique video settings for optimal playback. The best video format converters include a library of optimization profiles to perfectly adapt your videos to the device or platform on which you will use them.
- Download online video: You will not always have the videos you want to convert on your computer’s hard drive. The online video downloader is a fantastic tool for these occasions as it allows you to get any video from sites like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and many more. Just make sure you don’t violate copyright law when downloading or distributing third-party content.
- Screen Recorder: If you’ve ever wanted to capture what’s happening on your screen in real time, choose a video converter that includes recording tools that save the action on the screen as it happens. It’s a useful feature for capturing live events such as video game streams, online meetings, and even yourself using a webcam and microphone.
- Compressor: Video files can grow quickly. And if you convert a lot, the hard disk storage space will fill up quickly. The integrated compressor helps you reduce these files to a manageable size to save space or to fit within the maximum file size limit on sharing sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
- Disc Burner: The physical medium is not dead; even DVDs still have a place in our technical lives. So whether you want to watch your videos on your physical media player, give a copy to a friend or have a backup just in case, choosing a disc burner program is a good idea.
- Free trial: No matter how good the program looks on paper, it’s still best to try it out before you pay for it. All of the programs below have free trial versions that you can download to see if they suit your needs.
- Free version: If you don’t want to use your video converter too often or just for its most basic features, paying for it may not be the best choice. Several programs on this list have sister programs with abbreviated toolkits that you can use for free.
Overall best: Wondershare UniConverter
Professionals
- ✓ All the converter tools you need
- ✓ Comprehensive library of optimization profiles
- ✓ Powerful editing tools
Disadvantages
- ✗ No free version
- ✗ Editing tools divided into several modules
Of all the programs considered for this article, Wondershare UniConverter has the most video conversion tools. Every function is top-notch, from the converter and compressor to the screen recorder and video editor. It’s hard to find a video converter that can do more or perform better than UniConverter.
The star of the show is of course the file converter. UniConverter can convert your videos to 26 different formats and your audio files to 13 file types. In addition, the program includes hundreds of device optimization profiles for manufacturers from Apple and Samsung to Google and Sony. Device lists are up to date with the latest smartphones, tablets, SmartTVs and game consoles. The program also includes profiles for video editing programs such as iMovie and Final Cut, plus the ability to customize your conversions for uploading to sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo and Instagram.
The integrated Uniconveter video editor allows you to make simple changes to your videos, such as cropping, trimming, and adding effects. The editor also has tools for adding watermarks and captions, as well as adjusting audio volume and enhancing voice quality. The program offers additional tools such as video stabilizer, subtitle editor, background remover and more. The only problem with the editor is that it separates each editing tool into its own module and it can be frustrating to switch windows for complex editing tasks.
The converter itself and the editor would make UniConverter worthy of attention. But the rest of the feature set offers an even stronger punch: Compressor helps you manage the file size of your videos, Merge Tool lets you easily combine two or more videos, Screen Recorder lets you capture action on your computer, and DVD Burner lets you make physical copies of your video library.
Unfortunately, Wondershare does not offer a free version of UniConverter. It would be nice to see a reduced menu for people who don’t need every tool packaged in the app.
Best value: Aimersoft Video Converter Ultimate
Professionals
- ✓ Simple interface
- ✓ Extensive conversion tools
- ✓ Cheap
Disadvantages
- ✗ Optimization profiles are out of date
- ✗ No Windows 11 support
Aimersoft Video Converter Ultimate is a fantastic program for those who appreciate simplicity. It contains most of the tools we are looking for in this category, such as comprehensive format compatibility, video compressor, optimization profile library, video downloader, DVD burner and more. And they are all arranged so that even the least technically proficient user can control them without any problems. And it comes at a significantly cheaper price than UniConverter.
In addition, this program has features that you may not find in the competition. The Toolbox module contains an image converter, a GIF macro, a CD burner, a DVD copier and a device for playing videos on your SmartTV. All of these tools make Aimersoft Video Converter one of the most versatile media production programs you can buy.
Aimersoft Video Converter Ultimate’s extensive feature set gives UniConverter its money. Were it not for one eye-catching mistake, she may have taken first place in this article. Its device optimization profiles have not been updated for about five years. For example, the latest iPhone profile is for the iPhone X and we will soon see the iPhone 14. In addition, this program is not compatible with Windows 11, so millions of potential users remain frozen.
Like UniConverter, this program has no free counterpart. However, if you don’t need everything the program has to offer, you may want to consider a sister program to Video Converter Ultimate: Aimersoft Video Converter. It has the same simple layout as Video Converter Ultimate, but only contains converter and download modules and costs about $ 20 less, which provides an even bigger discount against UniConverter.
Best editing tools: Movavi Video Converter Premium
Professionals
- ✓ Easy to use
- ✓ Includes basic conversion tools
- ✓ Top video editing module
Disadvantages
- ✗ Screen recording and video download are missing
- ✗ Dated device optimization profiles
While it doesn’t have everything that video converters from Wondershare and Aimersoft do, Movavi Video Converter Premium includes plenty of features to satisfy most users. It has an extensive list of compatible export formats, a healthy selection of device optimization profiles, a file compressor and a simple (if confusing) user interface. It is a natural choice for those who do not need or want extensive toolkits in the above programs.
But notice what this program does not have before you open your wallet. Movavi Video Converter Premium has no screen recorder, online video downloader or disc burner, not to mention all the other bells and whistles included in the Wondershare and Aimersoft menus. In addition, it suffers from outdated device optimization options, although not nearly as bad as Aimersoft. The latest iPhone profile is for the iPhone 11, which isn’t very worrying by comparison, but it’s still time to update.
What makes this program stand out from the competition is its video editor. And it’s not because he has more or better tools than others; they are actually the same. This is because they contain all the editing tools in a single module. Other video converters separate tools such as cropping, trimming, and adding effects to different windows. This department forces you to constantly switch editing modules if your video requires multiple changes. Movavi has each tool arranged in the top ribbon, so it’s easy to switch between them when editing a video.
This video converter has a free version. Unfortunately, it is useless in the end, and not because it lacks the necessary conversion tools. The problem is that it exports your videos with a large watermark, which is basically a paid version ad, without the ability to get rid of it.
Best Free Version: Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate
Professionals
- ✓ Includes basic conversion tools
- ✓ Creators of entertaining presentations and collages
- ✓ Excellent free offer
Disadvantages
- ✗ Less advanced tools
- ✗ Expensive for what you get
Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate includes many features that you will find in the best video conversion software. Basics such as a wide range of export formats, current profile optimization selection, video editing tools, file compressor and more are available and work adequately. However, it also has two unique features: MV (video slideshow) and video collage maker. These tools compile your favorite clips into a themed video that you can enjoy yourself, show to others in person, or share online. There are dozens of topics to choose from, and it’s great fun to rummage through the videos in your video library that you never thought you’d use.
However, the program lacks several tools that make the other products in this article so versatile. For example, Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate does not have a screen recorder, video downloader or disc burner, not to mention the huge selection of other tools you will find in UniConverter and Aimersoft Video Converter Ultimate. If you are looking for these tools, Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate is not for you. And because it’s in the price range of UniConverter, it might be better for you to get it if you’re not interested in presentation and collage makers.
However, the free version of this software stands out among other brands. Unlike Movavi’s free offer, this converter does not leave a watermark on your converted videos. Just a short bumper at the beginning and end of each video stating that it was created using Aiseesoft Free Video Converter. Another free application, Aiseesoft Video Converter, is available in the Mac App Store for Mac users. And it won’t leave any branding on your videos.