The Best Video Compressors

HandBrake is a free video converter and compressor platform available for macOS (10.11 or later), Windows 10 or later, and Linux. For hardcore UNIX fans, the developers even offer a command line version. It supports most popular video file formats, and it gives users the option to compress batches of video files instead of processing them individually. While it doesn’t have a lot of video editing tools, it does allow users to resize and crop videos before compressing them. Open-source veterans will appreciate that the software is free and fairly easy to use, but newer users may find it unintuitive with an unattractive user interface.

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe is a free-download video converter that allows users to convert videos to less storage-hungry formats, resize videos, and cut video clips. The software also works as a video downloader. Some users enjoy this feature when downloading and editing videos from YouTube and other video-sharing platforms. One of its biggest brags is that WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe can convert 4K videos, and users can control volume on output files too. Features are limited on the trial version, though. So, if you’re looking for the best free video compressor, this may not be the right one for you.

Freemake Video Converter offers two options for users to convert and compress their videos. For videos hosted online, you can go to Freemake’s website, paste the link to the video into the converter window, and select your preferred output file type. If you’re working with a video on your computer, Freemake also has a downloadable version for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. Its major advantage, for some users, is its ability to convert to more than 500 video file formats and its 4K conversion capabilities.

Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate is paid video conversion and compression software that emphasizes high-quality output videos. While some other converters and compressors boast 4K capabilities, Aiseesoft supports up to 8K videos. While these are less common now, as video technology progresses, it may be the standard soon. With more than 1,000 supported formats, there’s generally no worry about finding a file format that it won’t work with. The software is somewhat pricey in comparison with other programs like it, though, with monthly and lifetime licenses available.

VideoProc Converter is another paid video compressor and converter platform. It claims to be a one-stop-shop for users’ video processing needs. Available for Mac or Windows, this software includes video and audio conversion, DVD burning, video downloading, and recording capabilities. The program is definitely not the cheapest on the market, though, which may turn some users off. While it does offer a free-download trial version, the price for the full version is not inconsiderable. Subscription options include yearly, lifetime, or family licenses with varying prices.

VSDC Free Video Converter is a free video compressor that supports most computers (both Mac and Windows) and other personal devices, including Play Station, PSP, Xbox, and some DVD players. Along with conversion and compression features, it also includes some video editing features and a set of advanced export presets for video conversion veterans. Many users enjoy the ability to save audio tracks and merge multiple files into one. At the same time, other users have reported frequent glitches when attempting to open the software, and others have complained that software updates often change fundamental user experience details. Your mileage may vary.

Videos & Movies Compressor is a free app for Android OS 4.0 and later. If you’re an iPhone user, this is not the best free video compressor for you, but many Android users have reported success with it. It supports all popular video and movie formats. It allows users to choose videos from their photo gallery, and you can either shrink the entire video or select a section to shrink – using an intuitive slider. The best feature of all may be that this app can work in the background. So, instead of sitting and waiting for your videos to compress, you can move on and use other apps while Videos & Movies Compressor finishes up.

Video Compress is another free Android app for video conversion and compressing. This app is only compatible with Android OS 6.0 and higher. Users with older devices may have difficulty using it. Along with creating compressed videos with multiple quality options, Video Compress also has a feature to share your video clips via email, YouTube, and other sharing platforms. Also, all of the videos you create in Video Compress are saved to an album and accessible in your phone’s video gallery. Accessibility to output files and easy sharing make it an attractive option for many streamers and YouTubers.

Video Compressor MP3 Converter is a mobile conversion app for Android OS 5.0 and higher. The developer offers a free version with limited features and a paid premium version. Along with video conversion and compression features, it also includes some limited video editing capabilities. Users can convert videos to MP4, maintain high quality when compressing large videos, crop video clips, and change audio frequency and speed. Newer features in the latest updates include a tool to speed up and slow down output videos. Users should be aware, though, that there are some significant limitations when using the free version.

Video Transcoder is an Android app that allows users to encode and convert videos to different formats on their phones. It also includes tools that allow users to extract audio from video files. The app is open-source, which means that it’s free and the source code is readily available. For users accustomed to open-source software, this can be very attractive, but newer users may be frustrated by the lack of customer support, documentation, and updates. If you’re willing to do some hunting when you find a bug, you may enjoy this app, but some users have reported inconsistency in the quality of output videos – especially when watching a video with a lot of movement.

Video compressor - save space is a free app available for iOS 9.0+ and iPadOS 9.0+ in the App Store. With this app, users can compress videos on their mobile devices to save storage space. It has two modes, normal and advanced. Beginners can use normal mode to compress video files easily, and more advanced users can customize their videos’ bitrate and resolution. In either mode, you can check your video’s image quality with the preview feature to ensure that you can still enjoy watching your new, smaller video files. If a video loses too much quality, you can adjust the compression rate. In normal mode, you can choose to compress by percentages between 15% and 85%. In advanced mode, you have more options to resize and compress your video to preserve quality.

Another option for iPhone and iPad users, Video Compress – Shrink Vids is a free video compressor for iOS and iPadOS versions 11.4 and later. While its user interface isn’t the sleekest, it is easy to use and does allow you to compress batches of video files to save space on your phone or another mobile device. It also has the capability to customize resolution and bitrate to adjust the level of compression. A lot of users like these features when they want to save some storage space but don’t want to lose video quality. It gives you the option to sacrifice a little more storage space to maintain a high-quality viewing experience.

Fastreel is an online video compressor that allows users to compress their files in a browser without downloading any software. To use it, simply go to Fastreel’s website and either drag and drop your files into the designated space or click on the blue “Add Your File” button to browse for your files. You can also upload files from Dropbox or Google Drive by clicking on the down arrow next to the “Add Your Files” button. When you click continue, you’ll be prompted to choose your compression rate, and then you can save and export your files to your computer. This web app does offer a free version, but output files will include a watermark unless you pay for one of the premium versions. For the paid versions, users may choose to pay $1.00 per video or $19.95 per month.

YouCompress is a free online file compressor. Unlike most of the compressors in this article, YouCompress isn’t limited to just videos and audio files – it also supports compression for PDFs and images, as well. Users enjoy that this online compressor is true freeware with no registration and unlimited exports with no watermarks. However, batch file compression is not an option, and it doesn’t include any additional editing options.

FreeConvert is an online video compressor with a free version and paid subscription options. The free version will not compress video files larger than one gigabyte. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month and range to $25.99 per month, or you can purchase a 24-hour pass that allows compression of up to 50 files no larger than 1.5 GB each.

Media.io Video Compressor is another paid online compression tool. Though the pricing is better for Media.io than FreeConvert, the free version limits files to 500 MB. The basic paid plan is a reasonable $4.99 per month, but users are still limited to one gigabyte. In fact, the only way to get access to unlimited file sizes is to purchase the lifetime license for $79.99. It’s easy to use, though, and the “More Settings” option allows users to specify the size of their output videos and other aspects to preserve quality while saving space. When you download your compressed files, you can choose to send them to your computer, Dropbox, or Google Drive.