7 Best MP4 to MKV Converters for Windows/Mac/Online

mp4 to mkv converter

An MP4 to MKV conversion tool is used to turn MP4 videos into the MKV container format. The MKV format is better at storing compressed video files and therefore a more suitable container to obtain high-quality videos from DVDs, Blu-ray, or other HD formats. MKV is also open-source and more flexible than MP4 in terms of offering support for unlimited chapters, multilingual subtitles, and video/audio tracks, besides richer metadata, all in a single file.

To benefit from these MKV perks, there is a need to convert MP4s to MKV format. And, It is advisable to employ the best MP4 to MKV converter for a hassle-free process. This review article, therefore, outlines a list of the best go-to MP4 to MKV converters.

7 Great MP4 to MKV Converter Software – Free Download

Software NameSupported OSVersionDownload Link
  • 1. TalkHelper MP4 to MKV Converter
  • WindowsFull VersionFree Download
  • 2. Wondershare UniConverter
  • Windows, MacFree TrialFree Download
  • 3. Aiseesoft Free Video Converter
  • Windows, MacFree VersionFree Download
  • 4. VLC Media Player
  • Windows, Mac, LinuxFree VersionFree Download
  • 5. CloudConvert
  • Web-basedFree DemoFree Download
  • 6. Media.io
  • Web-basedFree DemoFree Download
  • 7. Video Converter & Compressor App
  • AndroidFree DemoFree Download

    #1. TalkHelper MP4 To MKV Converter (Recommended)

    talkhelper_mp4_to_mkv

    TalkHelper offers a diligent MP4 to MKV converter tool featuring top-notch algorithms to guarantee lossless video conversion. Using this free download app, you can convert between common video/audio formats like MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, MP3, among others.

    Also, you have a built-in video downloader tool supporting popular sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and more, where you can grab online MP4 files and directly transform them into MKV hassle-free. Besides, you can specify the MKV output quality level you need; Low, Medium, High, or Very High.

    Pros:

    • Supports batch processing for files and folders
    • Fast and high-quality MP4 to MKV processing
    • Offers preset MP4 to MKV conversion profiles
    • Allows you to set a specific output quality
    • Add your audio tracks when necessary

    Cons:

    • No video editing options

    Supported Platforms: Windows

    Best for: High-quality, overly efficient, and lossless MP4 to MKV conversion on all versions of Windows.

    Download TalkHelper Video Converter

    #2. Wondershare UniConverter

    wondershare_uniconverter

    With full GPU acceleration, Wondershare UniConverter converts MP4 files into MKV with up to 90X faster speeds compared to counterparts. Even better, convert multiple MP4 files into MKV using the batch convert feature besides the ability to tailor the output for specific devices or web platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

    Further, you can personalize and enhance the output MKV file using watermarks, adding intro/outro, background removal, editing subtitles, and smart trimming. In all these scenarios, expect to obtain lossless video output, besides options to merge multiple videos and schedule tasks.

    Pros:

    • Offers video editing options (trim, crop, cut, etc)
    • Fast hardware-accelerated MP4 to MKV conversion
    • Strives to retain the original quality
    • Offers a built-in video downloader and DVD burner
    • Compress MP4 to MKV without quality loss
    • Supports 4K and 3D videos

    Cons:

    • Pricey

    Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

    Best for: Providing a comprehensive MP4 to MKV toolbox for converting, compressing, editing videos, burning DVDs, and more.

    Download wondershare uniconverter

    #3. Aiseesoft Free Video Converter

    aiseesoft_free_video_converter

    With over 300 supported formats, Aiseesoft Free Video Converter promises to offer top, free, and super fast MP4 conversion. You are open to enhancing the quality of an MP4 file by upscaling the resolution, denoising, deshaking, and saving it in super clear 4K MKV format.

    Also, you get to create DVDs from popular formats including MKV, MOV, MP4, WMV, FLV, and more. Besides, you can edit the source video file with opening and closing titles for personalization purposes. Even at the high MP4 to MKV conversion speeds, rest assured that the quality will largely remain intact.

    Pros:

    • Batch convert MP4 to MKV
    • Boasts hardware acceleration
    • Allows for quality enhancement via editing
    • Add audio and subtitle tracks with ease
    • One-click conversion using preset profiles
    • Superfast MP4 to MKV conversion (30X faster)

    Cons:

    • No DVD burning options

    Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

    Best for: Super fast and comprehensive MP4 to MKV conversion, compression, and editing, with the help of hardware acceleration and preset profiles.

    Download Aiseesoft Free Video Converter

    #4. VLC Media Player

    vlc_media_player

    VLC goes beyond a fully-fledged, open-source media player to offer powerful MP4 to MKV conversion options. VLC can convert MP4 files from the local storage, Blu-ray/DVD discs, video URLs, network streams, or capture devices, and turn them into MKV container format.

    You can expedite the process using a preset profile and further get to choose your preferred MKV audio, video, and subtitle codec options. For instance, you can tinker with the output resolution, filters, scaling level, and encoding parameters (bitrate, quality, framerate, etc). Even better, you have a built-in player to help play the output MKV file after conversion.

    Pros:

    • Free and available on popular platforms
    • Offers preset MP4 to MKV conversion profiles
    • Features advanced video/audio parameter adjustments
    • Offers options to embed subtitles in the MKV file
    • Allows you to clip MP4 videos

    Cons:

    • No video editing options
    • No batch MP4 to MKV conversion

    Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

    Best for: Converting MP4 to MKV on any platform for free, with the help of customizable built-in conversion presets.

    Download VLC Media Player

    #5. CloudConvert

    cloudconvert-mp4-to-mkv

    CloudConvert is a featureful MP4 to MKV converter tool that operates from the web. Apart from direct MP4 to MKV conversion, this software features a ton of output customization options like the resolution, aspect ratio, and video/audio encoder adjustments, among others.

    If you are not sure what these options do, you can pick a preset (based on encoding speed) depending on the kind of compression you need. Also, you get to trim the MP4 video and add subtitle tracks via several modes. Past that, you are still open to batch convert MP4 to MKV without compromising quality.

    Pros:

    • Allows for batch MP4 to MKV processing
    • Offers output customizations
    • Supports video trimming options
    • Offers conversion presets
    • Free and multiplatform

    Cons:

    • Free usage is limited to 25 conversions per day

    Supported Platforms: Web-based

    Best for: Online MP4 to MKV conversion with options to control the video resolution, quality, and size.

    Download cloudconvert

    #6. Media.io

    media.io_mp4-to-mkv

    Media.io or Online UniConverter is an online MP4 to MKV converter that is available for free. With it, you can batch convert MP4 to MKV besides access to some advanced options for more control over the output.

    For instance, this conversion software allows you to change various parameters like the video codec (XviD, HEVC, H264), resolution (up to 8K), framerate, bitrate, audio channels, sample rate, and more. You also get a trimming option to get rid of any unwanted parts in the output MKV file. Moreover, you can choose to get notified via email once the conversion is complete.

    Pros:

    • Allows you tweak various audio/video parameters
    • Supports email notifications
    • Offers trimming options
    • Import MP4 files from Dropbox, Google Drive, and YouTube
    • Offers batch MP4 to MKV processing

    Cons:

    • Ad-laden interface

    Supported Platforms: Web-based

    Best for: Free online MP4 to MKV conversion, compression, and editing without quality loss, on any platform.

    Download media.io

    #7. Video Converter & Compressor App

    Video Converter & Compressor App

    Video Converter & Compressor App is an Android tool that utilizes FFmpeg to help you turn MP4 videos into MKV. Besides MP4 to MKV conversion, you are also opened up to video editing options that allow you to trim, cut, join, compress, rotate, and flip video clips among other options.

    A wide range of video/audio codecs is at your disposal too to help you maximize the MKV format. By using the H264 codec, videos are compressed without losing quality. Better yet, you can add an unlimited number of subtitle tracks and audio tracks

    Pros:

    • Offers video/audio editing options
    • Allows for high-quality video compression
    • Supports batch MP4 to MKV conversion
    • Merge videos sequentially, top-bottom, or side-by-side
    • Superfast with support for multiple video/audio formats

    Cons:

    • Ads on the free version

    Supported Platforms: Android

    Best for: Fast and high-quality MP4 to MKV video conversion, editing, and compression on any Android device.

    Download Video Converter & Compressor App

    MP4 vs. MKV: More information about MP4 and MKV file formats

    FIle Extension mp4 extension.mp4 File Extension mkv format.mkv
    Full Name
    MPEG-4 Part 14
    Full Name
    Matroska Multimedia Container
    Description
    MP4 is a multimedia file format that is widely used to store movies, video clips, subtitles and still images, due to high compression, MP4 is one of most popular files formats used for sharing high-quality videos online.
    Description
    MKV is the Matroska multimedia container format that incorporates several types of audio, video, and subtitles tracks (like USF or SRT) into a single file. MKV files are usually used for distributing short movies and audio clips online.
    Developer
    Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)
    Developer
    CoreCodec, Inc.
    MIME Type
    video/mp4
    MIME Type
    video/x-matroska
    Video Codecs
    H.264, HEVC/H.265, MPEG-4 Part 2, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, VP9, VP8, H263, M-JPEG
    Video Codecs
    MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 (A)SP, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, VC-1/WMV, Real Video, Theora, Microsoft MPEG4 V2, VP8, VP9, MVC
    Audio Codecs
    AAC, MP3, AC-3, WMA, LPCM, DV Audio
    Audio Codecs
    MP3, WMA, Vorbis, Opus, AAC, AC-3, DTS, PCM, LPCM, FLAC, ALAC, MLP/Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD

    Associated Programs

    VLC media player
    KMPlayer
    Windows Media Player
    MPlayer
    Media Player Classic
    GOM Player

    Associated Programs

    VLC media player
    DivX Player
    Windows Media Player
    KMPlayer
    MKPlayer
    File Conversion
    MP4 Converter
    File Conversion

    MP4 to MKV: FAQ

    How can I convert MP4 to MKV for free?
    1. Download, install and launch VLC Media Player.
    2. Click the “Media” menu and select “Convert / Save…”.
    3. Click “Add…” to import the MP4 file to convert.
    4. Hit the ”Convert / Save” button at the lower part of the “Open Media” interface.
    5. Click the wrench icon, select MKV from the “Encapsulation” tab, and hit “Save”.
    6. Select the “Browse” button and set a filename for the output including the .mkv extension.
    7. Click “Start” to convert MP4 to MKV for free.
    How can I convert MP4 to MKV without losing quality?
    1. Download, install and start TalkHelper MP4 to MKV Converter.
    2. Click on “Add Media” > “Add Video File…” to select the source MP4 file.
    3. Pick the “Video” tab from the bottom panel.
    4. Scroll till you get to MKV and click select a sub-format of choice.
    5. Click on “More parameters”, adjust the quality level, and hit “OK” to save.
    6. Hit the “Start Convert” button to turn MP4 to MKV.
    How to play MKV files on my PC?
    1. Download, install and launch VLC Media Player.
    2. Click on the “Media” menu and select the “Open File…” option.
    3. Navigate to the folder containing the MKV video file.
    4. Select the MKV file and hit the “Open” button.
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