The HandBrake Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about HandBrake in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
HandBrake
The Insider’s Guide
Free open-source video converter for Windows, Mac and Linux
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among screen recording and video tools, read from HandBrake’s own pages.
Made by The HandBrake Team · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from HandBrake’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on HandBrake’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 65 of the 84 other screen recording and video tools we grade
HandBrake is an open-source video transcoder that converts video from most common formats into MP4, MKV or WebM. It offers device presets, quality and bitrate controls, filters, subtitle handling and a batch queue. It is a post-production converter, not an editor, and it does not combine clips or bypass copy protection.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about HandBrake, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Encoder and quality settings have a learning curve beyond the presets.
- 1
Best for converting video files for free
HandBrake is a free, open-source converter that turns video into MP4, MKV or WebM with presets for phones and TVs.
- 2
It is free
HandBrake has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
macOS, Windows and Linux.
- 4
Format conversion
Converts most common video files, plus DVD and Blu-ray sources without copy protection, to MP4, MKV or WebM.
- 5
Wide encoder choice
Video encoders include AV1, H.265, H.264, VP8 and VP9, with optional hardware-accelerated encoding.
- 6
Device presets
Built-in presets for phones, tablets, TVs and consoles, with basic and advanced settings to adjust them.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 65 of 84
That is against the other screen recording and video tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
HandBrake is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
HandBrake at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- The HandBrake Team
- Category
- Screen Recording & Video
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for converting video files for free
HandBrake is a free, open-source converter that turns video into MP4, MKV or WebM with presets for phones and TVs. It converts only: it doesn't edit, doesn't touch copy-protected discs, and wants 16 GB of memory for 1080p.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source, with no account, and anyone can download and run it. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Nothing to pay for at any point, with no caps or watermark mentioned. |
| Features | C | Converts most formats with AV1, H.265 and H.264, presets, filters, subtitles and a queue. It does that job fully, but it's a smaller job than a video editor, and it can't combine clips. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. Encoder and quality settings have a learning curve beyond the presets. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Desktop only: Windows, Mac and Linux, plus a command-line version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who HandBrake is for
- Fits if you need to shrink or convert video files and don't want to pay
- Works for people who run batches of files overnight
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you want to edit, as it doesn't combine clips
- Skip it if your video is copy-protected, because it doesn't work with DRM
- Watch out: supported hardware starts at 16 GB of memory for 1080p and 32 GB for 4K
- Tight if you want a phone or browser version, since it's desktop only
Good to know
Good for
- Shrinking large video files or changing their format
- Preparing videos for a phone, TV or media player
- Anyone who wants a free converter with no account
Worth knowing
- It converts video only; the project says it does not combine clips, so editing needs other software.
- It does not work with DRM-protected video or copy-protected discs.
- Officially supported hardware starts at 16 GB of memory for 1080p and 32 GB for 4K.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
HandBrake is free to use.
Free and open source, with no account, and anyone can download and run it.
Free
$0
Free and open source, with no account required; installers for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Read from handbrake.fr on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Free open-source video converter for Windows, Mac and Linux. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, video editing, file compression.
It does that job fully, but it's a smaller job than a video editor, and it can't combine clips.
- Format conversion
- Converts most common video files, plus DVD and Blu-ray sources without copy protection, to MP4, MKV or WebM.
- Wide encoder choice
- Video encoders include AV1, H.265, H.264, VP8 and VP9, with optional hardware-accelerated encoding.
- Device presets
- Built-in presets for phones, tablets, TVs and consoles, with basic and advanced settings to adjust them.
- Quality and filters
- Constant quality or average bitrate encoding, plus deinterlacing, denoise, cropping and scaling filters.
- Subtitles, chapters and audio
- Handles VobSub, closed captions, SSA and SRT subtitles, chapter markers and audio passthrough for several formats.
- Queue and command line
- Batch scan and queue several encodes, and a separate command-line version is offered for download.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
HandBrake is made by The HandBrake Team.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
65/84
Other screen recording and video tools it is graded above
HandBrake's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 65 of the 84 other screen recording and video tools we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 74 of 84) and worst on features (C, above 0).
HandBrake has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 85 screen recording and video tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. HandBrake’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 67 of 84
- AFree plan and trialAbove 74 of 84
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 84
- CEase of useAbove 1 of 84
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 6 of 84
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 71 screen recording and video tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. HandBrake is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
HandBrake is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 65 of the 84 other screen recording and video tools we grade.
What you could make
- File compression: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A video editor.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. HandBrake’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Shotcut, Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve and OpenShot
The 4 tools HandBrake is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Shotcut
Free
Free open-source video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux.
- HandBrake also covers file compression.
- Shotcut also covers screen recording.
- 3.0GPA
Kdenlive
Free
Free, open-source non-linear video editor from the KDE community.
- HandBrake also covers file compression.
- Kdenlive also covers transcription.
- 3.4GPA
DaVinci Resolve
Free plan · from $94.99
Video editing, color, effects and audio post-production in one app.
- Only DaVinci Resolve lists an iOS app.
- HandBrake is open source, according to its own site.
- DaVinci Resolve can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 3.0GPA
OpenShot
Free
Free, open-source video editor for Linux, Mac and Windows.
- HandBrake also covers file compression.
- OpenShot also covers screen recording.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is HandBrake free?
Yes. HandBrake is free to use.
How much does HandBrake cost?
HandBrake lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does HandBrake work on?
HandBrake is available on macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does HandBrake have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. HandBrake is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does HandBrake have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. HandBrake is listed for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is HandBrake open source?
Yes. HandBrake is open source, according to its own site.
Does HandBrake work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Who makes HandBrake?
HandBrake is made by The HandBrake Team.
What are the alternatives to HandBrake?
The closest alternatives to HandBrake in our directory are Shotcut, Kdenlive, DaVinci Resolve and OpenShot.
How does HandBrake compare with other screen recording and video tools?
HandBrake's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 65 of the 84 other screen recording and video tools we grade, and level with 9.
Is HandBrake good value for money?
ToolGPA grades HandBrake A for value for money. HandBrake has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of HandBrake?
HandBrake is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from HandBrake’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from HandBrake's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by The HandBrake Team. Prices change, so check handbrake.fr before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- HandBrake, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/handbrake
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "HandBrake: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/handbrake
Know someone choosing between screen recording and video tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/handbrake/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded screen recording and video tools after HandBrake, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Screen Recording & Video Insider's GuideEvery one of the 85 screen recording and video tools we grade, compared
- DaVinci Resolve Insider's GuideVideo editing, color, effects and audio post-production in one app3.4 GPA
- Zencastr Insider's GuideFree podcast recording, chat-based editing and hosting in one app3.4 GPA
- Cap Insider's GuideOpen-source screen recorder with instant share links and an editor3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what HandBrake’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. HandBrake is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by The HandBrake Team. Prices and plans change: check handbrake.fr before you buy.