In the digital age, video formats are as varied as the content they contain. Two of the most popular formats are MKV (Matroska Video) and MP4 (MPEG-4). While MKV is praised for its versatility and support for numerous codecs and subtitles, MP4 is notable for its broad interoperability across devices and systems.
MKV vs MP4 Comparison
MKV and MP4 are both widely used to store videos and audio content. Each of these two formats has its own key features and advantages. As an opening standard, MKV is more flexible and often used in high-definition video fields. It is the basis of WebM video format and is dedicated to providing a free and high-quality opening video standard. Compared with MP4, MKV can better support subtitle, multi-track, and chapter features. Therefore, in some particular scenarios, MKV performs better than MP4 format.
However, if we consider another essential factor about format choosing: compatibility, then undoubtedly MP4 wins. MP4's compatibility performance is quite outstanding, especially on media players, mobile phones, and portable devices. That's why many users prefer to convert MPV to MP4 format. It is easier to store because the MP4 format can consolidate large or individual files into a single file. Besides, MP4 files are easier to copy, move, upload, and play, and play smoothly on the MP4 player, Xbox 360, PS4, and iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
To help you convert your file format better and faster, we will introduce 7 free MKV to MP4 converters to you in this article. Let's explore these powerful tools together and select the best one for your file format conversion.
Top 7 MKV to MP4 Converters in 2024
01.VLC Media Player
You might have already heard about VLC before reading this blog. It is a free popular multimedia player and supports multiple formats of video playbacks. Apart from that, VLC can also be used to change video format as a converter, including converting from MKV to MP4.
Even though it may not possess diverse capabilities compared with some professional converters, it can still fully meet your common needs regarding video format conversion.
VLC Media Player Pros
Cost-effective: VLC's convert function is free and has a low learning curve. Users who have never tried that before can also quickly master this skill.
Save Memory: If you have already installed a VLC media player, then you don't have to download any other third-party converters.
Constantly Update: This tool is continually updating to ensure it can support the latest codec, such as H.265, AVI, and others.
VLC Media Player Cons
Limited video output support compared with some professional converters.
Can't download videos just by their URL.
The conversion speed is not competitive.
02.Handbrake
Handbrake is one of the speediest free MKV to MP4 converters. It possesses a wider range of features and empowers its users to adopt some third-party libraries to make video conversions.
Handbrake Pros
Multiple Encoding Formats Support: videos can be converted to MKV or MP4 formats embedded with H.264, HEVC, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Theora, VP8 and VP9.
Open source and free: HandBrake is a completely free, open source tool that users are free to use and modify.
Height Customizable: users can adjust video parameters such as resolution, frame rate, bit rate, aspect ratio, etc. Third-party libraries such as x265, FFmpeg, and libvpx are supported for video conversion.
Handbrake Cons
Increased File Size: After converting MKV to MP4, the converted video file may become larger.
Caption Processing Problem: Caption confusion may occur during the conversion process.
03.Freemake Video Converter
Freemake Video Converter is a free tool that is specifically designed for Windows users. With providing services for over 10 years, Freemake already has more than 90 million users now and is recognized as one of the best MKV converters in the Windows system.
Freemake Video Converter Pros
User-friendly interface: Freemake provides a simple and easy-to-use interface with intuitive operation and is suitable for beginners without professional knowledge.
Versatility: Apart from MKV to MP4 conversion, Freemake also supports features such as DVD disc conversion, video editing and photo slideshow production, providing a comprehensive video processing solution.
Video Merging: This tool supports merging video files and importing subtitles.
Freemake Video Converter Cons
Windows Only: Freemake Video Converter is currently available on Windows only, not Mac or Linux platforms.
Output Watermark: The free version will add a Freemake watermark when processing the video, which may affect the look and feel of the video.
04.Zamzer
Zamzar is a highly regarded online video converter that offers many format transitions (including MKV to MP4). This tool is well-known for its simplicity and fast output speed. Zamzar allows users to add files in a variety of ways, such as file browsing, local drag and drop, or directly using the URL of cloud-hosted files.
Zamzer Pros
Diverse Upload Methods: Users can not only upload files from their local computer but also transfer files from the Internet through URLs, providing flexible and diverse upload methods.
Email Notification Feature: After the conversion process is complete, the user receives an email informing them that the file is ready to download so that the user does not have to keep waiting on the page.
Encrypted Connection: To ensure security, Zamzar uses an encrypted connection for file upload and download, preventing files from being accessed by unauthorized users.
Zamzer Cons
Limited Number of Files to Convert: In the free version, users can only convert a maximum of two files per day, and frequent users may need to consider other options or upgrade to the premium version.
File Size Limit: Free users are limited in file size and must upgrade to the premium version if they want to convert larger files.
Network Dependency and Latency Issues: Conversion speed and stability depend on the quality of the network connection, which can affect the experience when network traffic is heavy. When there is a lot of traffic on the site, the conversion process can have a long delay, sometimes as long as an hour
05.WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe is a versatile video conversion software that integrates video format conversion, compression, quality enhancement and acceleration functions in one. It is especially suitable for users who need to quickly and efficiently convert high-quality video.
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe Pros
Video Compression and Quality Preservation: Users can compress MKV videos to a smaller size, reducing the file size by up to 90% while maintaining high visual quality, which is useful for storing and transferring large files.
Balance Function: The tool is able to achieve a balance between video size, output quality and conversion speed, and users can freely adjust these parameters according to their needs to meet the use requirements of different scenarios.
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe Cons
Less Editing Functions: Although WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe has powerful conversion functions, its editing functions are relatively limited, and users may need to cooperate with other editing software if they need to perform complex video editing.
File Length Limit: The free version can only convert up to five minutes of video at a time when converting videos, which makes it more suitable for short video processing, and for longer video conversion needs, users may need to upgrade to the premium plans.
06.CloudConvert
CloudConvert is a versatile cloud-based conversion tool for formats such as video, audio, documents, images, e-books, and spreadsheets. Users can easily access the platform through an Internet connection without installing any software.
CloudConvert Pros
No Software Installation: As a cloud-based tool, the user does not need to install any programs on the device, just through the web browser to use, available for Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox and other major browsers.
Sync with Google: CloudConvert supports sync with Google Cloud Platform, allowing users to easily upload or save converted files from Google Cloud.
Website Capture: In addition to file conversion, CloudConvert can also capture website content and convert it to the desired file format, increasing its usefulness.
CloudConvert Cons
Subscription Required: Although there is a free trial period, users still need to pay a subscription fee to continue to use all features after that.
Less Free Credits: Free accounts have limited conversion credits, and users who work with large files or convert frequently will need to buy a plan, especially for files larger than 1GB.
Privacy Issues: All uploaded files are saved in CloudConvert's database, and although files are deleted periodically, privacy issues may still be of concern to the user.
07.Convertio
Convertio is a popular online file conversion tool that is entirely cloud-based. The power of the tool lies in its wide device compatibility, allowing users to use it not only on their computers, but also on their phones and tablets.
Convertio Pros
File Editing Function: users can perform simple editing operations when converting videos, including adjusting video quality, modifying the aspect ratio, and rotating the video, etc., flexible to meet the needs of different scenes.
Privacy Protection: The converted files are automatically deleted after 24 hours to ensure user data privacy security.
Convertio Cons
Developer API Payment: While basic functionality is free, developers will pay a fee if they need to use the API for advanced operations.
FAQs
Will converting MKV to MP4 impact video quality?
The settings you select during conversion determine the quality of the converted video. Most converters allow you to change the quality settings to keep the original quality.
Can I simply rename mkv to mp4?
Yes. With Winxvideo AI, you may enable Auto Copy, which allows you to convert an MKV container to an MP4 container without changing the underlying codec. This technique just copies media file data from MKV to MP4 container format without decoding or re-encoding, and the speed will be up to 10 times faster than transcoding.
What should I do if my converted MP4 file won't play?
If your MP4 file does not play, it could be due to a codec issue. Make sure your media player supports the codec used in the video. Alternatively, try converting the file with alternative settings.
Conclusion
The process of converting MKV to MP4 doesn't have to be difficult. You can discover a free converter that suits your needs for a quick and simple conversion thanks to the wide range of options accessible. The choices described in this article offer the functionality and adaptability to manage your video converting duties with ease, regardless of your preference for a desktop application or an internet service. Select the converter that best suits your needs, and then begin watching your videos on any kind of device.
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Published on
Nov 7, 2024
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