Download notes: Alternatively you can download the latest Windows version of this software.

Is HandBrake a video editor?

HandBrake can crop and resize videos as well as restore old and low-quality videos, but for more powerful tools you can use DaVinci Resolve, Shotcut or VSDC Free Video Editor, which are great free options.

Can you use HandBrake to rip DVDs?

Yes, HandBrake can rip any DVD or Blu-Ray discs that aren't copy protected.

Can HandBrake compress 4K videos?

Yes, HandBrake can compress any 4K video to reduce video size while converting the video format at the same time.

Is Handbrake better than FFmpeg?

Both HandBrake and FFmpeg are free and open source, both are compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, and both can convert video files. The difference is that Handbrake uses a GUI (graphical user interface) to convert media files, while FFmpeg uses the command line to encode or decode video files. Another difference is that Handbrake supports DVD and Blu-Ray video as input, while FFmpeg does not. Also, Handbrake only offers MKV and MP4 output, while FFmpeg supports many video output formats.

Features

  • Can encode directly from DVDs (even encrypted ones) or from VIDEO_TS folders
  • Supports AC3, LPCM and MPEG audio tracks
  • Outputs MP4, AVI or OGM files
  • Outputs AAC, MP3 or Vorbis audio
  • Supports 2*pass encoding
  • Supports encoding of two audio tracks
  • Includes a bitrate calculator
  • Supports picture deinterlacing, cropping and scaling

What's New

HandBrake 1.9.0:

All platforms

General

  • Added Intel QSV VVC (hardware) video decoder
  • Added an option to enable AV1 screen content coding(SCC) on Intel Lunar Lake QSV AV1 encoder
  • Added support for lossless VP9 encoding
  • Added a preference to keep duplicated Blu-ray titles
  • Added support for Max Duration of Scan titles for disc based sources (#6304)

Audio

  • Added ALAC encoder
  • Added Vorbis passthru
  • Improved scan of DTS audio profiles

Subtitles

  • Improved quality of subtitles burn-in
  • Fixed a rare video corruption issue that could happen when burning-in subtitles

Third-party libraries

Updated libraries

  • AMF 1.4.35 (AMD VCN video encoding)
  • FFmpeg 7.1 (decoding and filters)
  • FreeType 2.13.3 (subtitles)
  • Fribidi 1.0.16 (subtitles)
  • HarfBuzz 10.1.0 (subtitles)
  • libdav1d 1.5.0 (AV1 video decoding)
  • libdovi 3.3.1 (Dolby Vision dynamic metadata)
  • libjpeg-turbo 3.0.4 (preview image compression)
  • libvpx 1.15.0 (VP8/VP9 video encoding)
  • nv-codec-headers 12.2.72.0 (Nvidia NVENC encoding)
  • oneVPL 2.13.0 (Intel QSV video encoding/decoding)
  • SVT-AV1 2.3.0 (AV1 video encoding)
  • x265 4.1 (H.265/HEVC video encoding)

Linux

  • Fixed the Power Save option to pause the encodes only when enabled
  • Fixed the queue being stopped when removing completed items
  • Fixed chapters names not being saved properly
  • Fixed various issues related to presets
  • Updated existing translations

Mac

  • Add Range Limit controls to the "Add to Queue" selection window (#4146)
  • Fixed an issue that could cause corrupted video when using VideoToolbox HEVC multi-pass
  • Miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements
  • Updated existing translations
  • Added new translations
  • Swedish (Svenska)

Windows

  • Added Range Limit controls to the "Add to Queue" "Add Selection" window (#4146)
  • Added support for DirectX based video decoding when using the Media Foundation encoder on ARM devices
  • Added support for the AV1 Media Foundation encoder on ARM devices
  • Added a "Start Later" option to the Queue Window.
  • Performance Improvements in the filter pipeline for ARM devices.
  • Miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements
  • Updated existing translations
  • Added new translations
  • Swedish (Svenska)