9 Best MKV Converters for Windows/Mac/Online

mkv converter

An MKV converter is a program that is used to convert videos to and from the MKV format. You can convert MKV files into MP4, VOB, 3GP, MOV, AVI, MPG, WMV, MP3 and more, mainly to eliminate compatibility issues; especially during playback.

Also, other video formats can be converted into MKV to take advantage of the unlimited number of video, audio, image, and subtitle tracks that MKV can carry. For instance, MKV is a suitable format when ripping DVD/Blu-ray media.

In all these instances, having a reliable converter program is a plus. As such, to help you settle on the right tool, here is a boatload of the best MKV converters you can choose from.

9 Great MKV Video Converter Software – Free Download

Software NameSupported OSVersionDownload Link
  • 1. TalkHelper Video Converter
  • WindowsFull VersionFree Download
  • 2. Freemake Video Converter
  • WindowsFree VersionFree Download
  • 3. MakeMKV
  • Windows, Mac, LinuxFree VersionFree Download
  • 4. HandBrake
  • Windows, Mac, LinuxFree VersionFree Download
  • 5. VideoProc
  • Windows, MacFree TrialFree Download
  • 6. Xilisoft MKV Converter
  • WindowsFree DemoFree Download
  • 7. Bigasoft MKV Converter
  • WindowsFree TrialFree Download
  • 8. CloudConvert
  • Web-basedFree DemoFree Download
  • 9. MKV Video Converter App
  • AndroidFree Version Free Download

    #1. TalkHelper Video Converter (Recommended)

    talkhelper-mkv-converter

    TalkHelper Video Converter is an all-in-one MKV converter tool that allows you to convert to from MKV format with comprehensive support for other media formats like FLV, AMV, DVD, AVI, MP4, MOV, MPEG, ASF, RMVB, WMV, SWF, 3GP, M4V, RM, and more.

    Besides converting videos natively, this MKV file converter also lets you tailor the output to specific devices; for instance, you can convert MKV to 3GP to support video playback on feature phones. Better yet, this MKV video converter also supports batch processing, fast, free download and high-quality output delivery, all on a straightforward interface.

    Pros:

    • Allows for batch MKV conversion
    • Supports lossless video conversion
    • Features built-in conversion presets
    • Boasts full-range device compatibility
    • Features a built-in video downloader
    • Convert to and from MKV

    Cons:

    • Windows Only

    Supported Platforms: Windows

    Best for: An overly efficient MKV conversion process with a ton of supported formats, batch processing options, built-in conversion presets, and more.

    Download TalkHelper Video Converter

    #2. Freemake Video Converter

    freemake-video-converter

    With over 500 supported formats and gadgets, converting to and from MKV format is pretty flexible for non-protected formats. For instance, you get to convert video files of any size or format, for free, without any kind of limitations. Some of the top codecs in use here include H.264, H.265 (HEVC), MPEG-4, AAC, and AV1.

    Amazingly, Freemake can handle videos of up to 4K quality and convert them to MKV without quality loss. Also, you get to rip and burn DVDs/Blu-rays with subtitles, access some video editing options (cut, join, and rotate clips), among other features.

    Pros:

    • Convert any video size or format
    • Tailor the output for any gadget using conversion presets
    • Offers a built-in DVD ripper and burner
    • Supports fast hardware-accelerated MKV conversions
    • Offers a video downloader and uploader

    Cons:

    • A limiting free version

    Supported Platforms: Windows

    Best for: All-around MKV converter tool to help you convert to and from MKV, offer video editing options, rip/burn DVDs, and more.

    Download freemake video converter

    #3. MakeMKV

    makemkv

    Just as the name suggests, this software helps you to make MKV files out of any disc (DVD or Blu-ray) while retaining pretty much all the original information. MakeMKV is also very powerful as it supports the conversion of protected discs (AACS and BD+). When you convert discs to MKV, you are open to preserved chapters, metadata, all video/audio tracks, and any other information.

    Besides, just like the DVD media, this MKV video converter also allows you to stream decrypted videos without the need for conversion to support most players like VLC, MPlayer, and more.

    Pros:

    • Rips encrypted Blu-ray discs
    • Preserves all the original information
    • Offers a built-in DVD burner
    • Supports fast hardware-accelerated conversions
    • Offers customizable conversion presets

    Cons:

    • Not beginner-friendly
    • Supports only DVD/Blu-ray media

    Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

    Best for: Once-click conversion of protected DVDs or Blu-rays into native MKV files while keeping the original information intact.

    Download makemkv

    #4. HandBrake

    handbrake

    HandBrake utilizes modern and universal codecs to guarantee a quality-oriented MKV video conversion process. Apart from converting between the native video formats, this MKV converter software allows you to rip non-copy protected DVD/Blu-ray discs into MKV format as well. Using the built-in and customizable video conversion presets, you can tailor the output video to match almost any device.

    Advanced users can take advantage of the nifty video editing options too, including subtitle and audio track options, to tweak the output even further. Other than that, you get to convert multiple video files to and from MKV with ease.

    Pros:

    • Offers some video editing/customization options
    • Free and open-source
    • Available for use on multiple platforms
    • Presents a wide range of conversion presets
    • Offers batch processing and queue options

    Cons:

    • An intimidating user interface
    • Only two video containers to choose from

    Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

    Best for: A free method to convert to and from the MKV format with access to some video editing options, batch processing, conversion presets, and task queues.

    Download handbrake

    #5. VideoProc

    videoproc

    VideoProc, now VideoProc Converter, is a quality-oriented and high-speed MKV converter tool with a good share of amazing features. If you are looking for an app to digitize DVDs into MP4, multi-track MKV files, MP3, among other formats, this is your best bet.

    This program will deliver the original quality pretty fast (up to 47X) thanks to full GPU-accelerated video processing. Even better, you can upscale and downscale video clips by 90% and still retain crisp quality. Other than that, you have video editing options at your disposal and a rich Toolbox.

    Pros:

    • Offers fast GPU-accelerated MKV conversions
    • Presents some simple video editing tools
    • Balances between output size and quality
    • Offers a built-in video downloader
    • Allows you to convert to and from MKV

    Cons:

    • 5-minute max conversion on the free version

    Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac

    Best for: Converting, resizing, and adjusting large 4K/HDR videos, audio, and DVDs conveniently at fully accelerated speeds, to/from MKV.

    Download videoproc

    #6. Xilisoft MKV Converter

    xilisoft_mkv_converter

    Xilisoft MKV Converter allows you to transform MKV files for playback on devices like Apple TV, Xbox, iPod, PS3, PSP, and more. Besides, you can opt to output native audio/video formats like AVI, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, WMV, DivX, MP4, XviD, MOV, MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, or M4A.

    For that extra control over the output, you get options to split, compress, and batch converting MKV files at your convenience. Mind you, the original MKV video quality is still retained even after applying compression. Even better, you are open to hardware acceleration to help complete tasks faster.

    Pros:

    • Fast hardware-accelerated MKV conversions
    • Allows you to batch convert MKV files
    • MKV files can also be converted to audio
    • Split and compress MKV format without quality loss
    • Offers a wide range of output presets

    Cons:

    • The trial version is limited

    Supported Platforms: Windows

    Best for: Converting, compressing, and splitting MKV files without quality loss, coupled with hardware acceleration to facilitate batch processing.

    Download xilisoft video converter

    #7. Bigasoft MKV Converter

    bigsoft_mkv_converter

    Bigasoft MKV Converter allows you to convert MKV file formats into other common video formats including AVI, MP4, WMV, WebM, XviD, MOV, HD video, and more. Also, you can convert MKV files into audio formats like MP3, WAV, AAC, WMA, and M4A.

    The conversion process is lightning-fast and coupling with the strong editing options, you can finetune the output to your specific needs. For instance, you can crop, split, merge, add/adjust sound/subtitle tracks to videos, besides watermarking options. Better yet, you can download this multilingual MKV converter for free.

    Pros:

    • High-quality output
    • Offers super-fast conversion
    • Allows you to extract audio from MKV files
    • Supports batch MKV conversion
    • Offers a ton of video editing options
    • Allows you to tailor video output to specific devices

    Cons:

    • Limiting free version

    Supported Platforms: Windows

    Best for: A fast and superb way to convert and edit MKV files on Windows with the help of presets and batch processing.

    Download Bigasoft MKV Converter

    #8. CloudConvert

    cloudconvert-mkv-converter

    CloudConvert is a fully-fledged online file converter tool that also serves as a go-to MKV file converter. With over 200 supported formats, you are sure to convert to and from the MKV format with great flexibility. You will enjoy 100% privacy and security on the uploaded files besides high-quality video to MKV conversion from any platform.

    Also, you are provided with a lot of output customization features including options to trim videos and embed subtitles. Overall, this MKV video converter gives you total control over the video resolution, quality, and output file size.

    Pros:

    • Multiplatform MKV converter
    • Allows batch processing
    • Guarantee data privacy and security
    • Offers video trimming options
    • Allows you to embed subtitles in a video

    Cons:

    • Limits you to 25 conversions per day

    Supported Platforms: Web-based

    Best for: A comprehensive process to convert video to and from MKV with full control over the output quality and files size, online, and on all platforms.

    Download cloudconvert

    #9. MKV Video Converter App

    video-converter-app

    This is an Android app by VidSoftLab that allows you to convert, compress, trim, resize, and merge videos between MKV and other formats like VOB, MP4, MP3, AVI, 3GP, FLV, among others.

    This MKV video converter program offers batch processing capabilities besides a ton of video editing options to help you merge, trim, cut, reverse, stabilize, add slow motion, crop, and rotate video clips.

    Amazingly, you are open to video conversion resolutions of up to 4K/8K on your Android smartphone or tablet with support for the modern HEVC/H265 codec. Also, you can convert MKV files into audio conveniently.

    Pros:

    • Offers a lot of video editing options
    • Super-fast with a ton of supported video/audio formats
    • Allows you to compress videos without quality loss
    • Offers batch MKV file conversion
    • Features a built-in MP3 cutter useful for making ringtones
    • Offers direct output sharing options

    Cons:

    • Ads on the free version

    Supported Platforms: Android

    Best for: A comprehensive MKV video converter tool featuring options to edit, compress, resize, trim, cut, and merge clips on any Android device.

    Download MKV video converter app

    More information about MKV file format

    File Extension mkv format.mkv
    Full Name
    Matroska Multimedia Container
    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
    CoreCodec, Inc.
    MIME Type
    video/x-matroska
    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
    MP3, WMA, Vorbis, Opus, AAC, AC-3, DTS, PCM, LPCM, FLAC, ALAC, MLP/Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD

    Associated Programs

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

    MKV Converter: FAQ

    How to convert an MKV file for free?
    1. Download, install and launch VLC Media Player.
    2. Click the “Media” menu and select “Convert / Save…”.
    3. Click “Add…” to import an MKV file to convert.
    4. Hit the ”Convert / Save” button at the lower part of the “Open Media” interface.
    5. Click the wrench icon, select target format like “MP4” from the “Encapsulation” tab, and hit “Save”.
    6. Click “Start” to convert an MKV file for free.
    What’s the fastest way to convert MKV to MP4?
    1. Download, install and start TalkHelper Video Converter.
    2. Click on “Add Media” > “Add Video File…” to select the source MKV file.
    3. Pick the “Video” tab from the bottom panel.
    4. Scroll till you get to MP4 and click select a sub-format of choice.
    5. Hit the “Start Convert” button to convert MKV to MP4.
    What’s the best free MKV to MP4 converter?
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