Videos are an essential part of life today due to their widespread use in various industries such as entertainment, education, and work. However, managing videos can be an uphill task, given their large sizes that cause storage issues, slow transmission over the internet, and difficulties in sharing them over social media platforms. Video compression software comes in handy in such situations.
In this article, we will take a look at the ten best video compression applications for PCs and laptops. These applications vary in their features, compatibility, and ease of use, and selecting the right one depends on your video needs.
1. Handbrake
Handbrake is an open-source, cross-platform video compressor software available for free. It is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems and supports various video formats such as MPEG-4, H.264, H.265, and VP8. Handbrake offers advanced video editing tools such as cropping, scaling, and adding filters and is easy to use due to its intuitive interface. Additionally, it allows batch processing of videos, making it ideal for large video libraries.
One satisfied user says, “I find Handbrake to be one of the most reliable video compression tools. It’s easy to use, fast, and delivers excellent compression results.”
However, Handbrake does not support some formats such as WMV and FLV, and its compression speed may vary depending on the video format, size, and hardware specifications.
2. VLC media player
VLC media player is not only a video player but also a video compressor software. It is free, open-source, and compatible with various operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. VLC supports a wide range of video formats and allows users to customize their compression settings such as adjusting the video quality, frame rate, and resolution.
One user shares, “I prefer VLC media player to other video compressors because it doesn’t compromise on the video quality. It also supports various audio and subtitle formats, which enhances my video experience.”
However, VLC’s video compression feature is not as advanced as other software, and it may not support some formats such as 4K videos. Also, it requires some technical know-how to use and may not be suitable for beginners.
3. Adobe Media Encoder
Adobe Media Encoder is an advanced video compression software that allows users to optimize their videos for various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and TVs. It is part of the Adobe Creative Suite and is compatible with both Windows and macOS. Adobe Media Encoder supports various video formats such as H.264, HEVC, and ProRes and offers advanced features such as background rendering, batch processing, and GPU acceleration.
A user comments, “Adobe Media Encoder is great for video editing and compression. I love its intuitive interface and plethora of customization options that enable me to deliver high-quality videos.”
However, the downside of Adobe Media Encoder is its high cost, which may not be feasible for individual users. It also requires high hardware specifications to run efficiently and may have a steep learning curve for beginners.
4. Freemake Video Converter
Freemake Video Converter is a popular video compression software that provides users with an easy-to-use interface and a wide range of customization options. It supports various video formats such as MP4, AVI, and WMV and allows users to adjust video settings such as quality, bitrate, and frame size. Additionally, Freemake Video Converter enables users to compress videos for various devices such as Android, iOS, and gaming consoles.
A satisfied customer asserts, “Freemake Video Converter is my go-to video compressor software. It’s affordable, easy to use, and delivers high-quality compressed videos that meet my needs.”
However, Freemake Video Converter is not compatible with macOS and Linux, limiting its usability. It also comes with bundled software that may cause bloatware or malware issues if not installed correctly.
5. Wondershare UniConverter
Wondershare UniConverter, formerly known as Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate, is an all-in-one video compression and editing software available for Windows and macOS users. It supports various formats such as MP4, MOV, and AVI and offers advanced editing tools such as trimming, cropping, and adding watermarks. It also allows batch processing of videos and supports compression for various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and TVs.
A user shares, “Wondershare UniConverter has been a game-changer for me. Its fast compression speed and high-quality videos have enabled me to share my videos easily with others.”
However, Wondershare UniConverter is expensive, and its customer support may be slow to respond to queries. It may also require higher hardware specifications for optimal performance.
6. DivX Converter
DivX Converter is a powerful video compression software that allows users to compress their videos without compromising on the quality. It supports various formats such as MP4, AVI, and MKV and offers advanced customization options such as adjusting the bit rate, resolution, and frame rate. Additionally, DivX Converter enables users to compress videos to DivX, HEVC, and MP4 formats and supports batch processing of videos.
One user says, “DivX Converter is my go-to software for video compression. I love its seamless integration with other DivX products and its high-quality compression that ensures my videos look stunning.”
However, DivX Converter is not compatible with macOS and Linux, limiting its usability. It may also have a steep learning curve for beginners, and its compression process may take longer for large files.
7. Any Video Converter
Any Video Converter is a free and easy-to-use video compression software that supports various formats such as MPEG-4, AVI, and WMV. It offers advanced customization options such as adjusting the bit rate, frame rate, and resolution and allows users to compress videos for various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. Additionally, Any Video Converter enables users to extract audio from videos and download online videos from various websites such as YouTube and Vimeo.
A user exclaims, “Any Video Converter is fantastic! It’s easy to use, fast, and delivers high-quality videos that match my compression needs.”
However, Any Video Converter may have limited customization options, depending on the video format. It may also have some compatibility issues with Windows 10 and require users to download additional software to use some features.
8. Xilisoft Video Converter
Xilisoft Video Converter is an advanced video compression software that provides users with a wide range of customization options. It supports various video formats such as MP4, AVI, and FLV and allows users to adjust settings such as the bit rate, resolution, and frame rate. Additionally, Xilisoft Video Converter supports batch processing of videos and compression for various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles.
A satisfied customer states, “Xilisoft Video Converter is my favorite compression software. Its advanced editing tools and customization options make it easy to compress my videos while maintaining their high quality.”
However, Xilisoft Video Converter is expensive, and its customer support may not be responsive to queries. It may also require higher hardware specifications for optimal performance and have limited compatibility with some video formats.
9. Compressor
Compressor is an advanced video compression software developed by Apple Inc. It is compatible with macOS and is a part of the Final Cut Pro X suite. Compressor supports various formats such as H.264, HEVC, and ProRes and offers advanced customization options such as adjusting the frame rate, resolution, and bit rate. Additionally, Compressor allows users to compress videos for various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and TVs, and supports background rendering for faster compression times.
A user shares, “Compressor has been my go-to software for video compression and delivery. Its seamless integration with Final Cut Pro X and advanced compression features make it easy to deliver high-quality videos to my clients.”
However, Compressor is only compatible with macOS, limiting its usability. It may also require high hardware specifications for optimal performance and have limited support for some video formats.
10. VideoProc
VideoProc is an all-in-one video editing and compression software available for Windows and macOS users. It supports various formats such as MP4, MOV, and AVI and offers advanced editing tools such as trimming, cropping, and adding watermarks. Additionally, VideoProc allows users to compress videos for various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. It also supports 4K video compression and GPU acceleration for faster processing.
A satisfied customer shares, “VideoProc is an amazing video editing and compression software, perfect for creating high-quality videos. Its intuitive interface and advanced features make it easy to create professional-looking videos.”
However, VideoProc is expensive, and its customer support may not be responsive to queries. It may also require higher hardware specifications for optimal performance and have limited compatibility with some video formats.
Conclusion
Video compression software has become an essential tool for managing videos due to their large sizes and diverse use cases. The above list of the ten best video compression applications for PCs and laptops provides users with a starting point for selecting a suitable video compression software.
Each software offers unique features, compatibility, and ease of use, and selecting the right one depends on your video needs. Additionally, it’s essential to consider your hardware specifications and budget when selecting a video compression software.
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