HandBrake vs MakeMKV: Compare Speed, Quality, File Size and More

Both MakeMKV and HandBrake are free Bluray and DVD rippers for Windows, Mac, and Linux, but many users are confused between the two applications.

• Should I just directly rip from the DVD with HandBrake?
• Is there an advantage to ripping untouched with MakeMKV and then encoding with HandBrake after?
• Should I import the MakeMKV original MKV files or HandBrake compressed MKVs to Plex in quality terms?
• MakeMKV and HandBrake, what to use to backup my DVD collection on my external hard drive?

Just read on if you have similar confusions. In this article we'll compare HandBrake and MakeMKV side by side.

Tired of the Two-Step Workflow? Meet the All-in-One Alternative

While the 'MakeMKV + Handbrake' combo is popular, it’s not without headaches. You have to manage massive intermediate files, navigate complex settings in Handbrake, and wait hours for encoding to finish.

WinX DVD Ripper bridges this gap by combining the strongest features of both tools into one streamlined interface:

• Powerful Decryption (Like MakeMKV): It bypasses DVD CSS, region codes, and even the toughest 99-title protections that cause Handbrake to crash.
• Fast Transcoding (Like Handbrake): It converts directly to MP4, HEVC, AVI, or ISO with a single click—no secondary software required.
• Level-3 Hardware Acceleration: Unlike Handbrake which can be CPU-heavy, WinX fully utilizes your GPU, making it up to 5x faster than the traditional two-step workflow.

Part 1. HandBrake vs MakeMKV: Side-by-Side Comparison

1. HandBrake vs MakeMKV: Supported Input Formats

HandBrake supported input files: most common video files, Bluray or DVD discs, ISO files, and VIDEO_TS folders.

MakeMKV supported input files: DVDs, Bluray discs, DVD-vide/HD-DVD/Bluray files, ISO, MKV

Both MakeMKV and HandBrake can read DVD and Bluray. MakeMKV can even decrypt copy-protected discs without the help of third party software, while HandBrake can't process decryption unless you install libdvdcss.

Related: MakeMKV beta/full registration key

2. HandBrake vs MakeMKV: Supported Output Formats

HandBrake supported output formats:

• File Containers: MP4(M4V), MKV, and WebM
• Video Encoders: H.265 (x265 and QuickSync), H.264(x264 and QuickSync), H.265 MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
• Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, Flac, AC3, or Vorbis
• Audio Pass-thru: AC-3, E-AC3, DTS, DTS-HD, TrueHD, AAC and MP3 tracks

There're also many web and device presets packed with HandBrake, including Discord, Gmail, Vimeo, YouTube, Android, Apple, Chromecast, Amazon Fire, PlayStation, Roku, and Xbox.

MakeMKV supported output formats: MKV

Apparently, HandBrake provides more choices. MakeMKV, as its name shows, can only export MKV files. MKV does have a lot of advantages and is well supported by many software players and codec packs, but it isn't supported by many hardware players. So, you may need to convert MKV to MP4 or other formats.

3. HandBrake vs MakeMKV: Quality of Resulting File

All MakeMKV does is save what's on your disc to a MKV file. It will not change the original quality. HandBrake might degrade quality and quality loss degree varies with different encoding settings.

4. HandBrake vs MakeMKV: File Size

MakeMKV remains original quality, but it also means that you will get gigantic file that are the same size as what is on the original disc. HandBrake will not preserve original quality but it will make the resulting file smaller than the source (generally anywhere between a quarter to half the size, depending on encoding settings set).

5. HandBrake vs MakeMKV: Ripping Speed

MakeMKV won't do anything to your source streams other than repackaging the original, unmodified video (and audio) into a MKV container, while HandBrake will re-encode the video. MakeMKV ripping speed depends on how fast your DVD drive can rip the video off the disk, while HandBrake ripping speed depends on the CPU power you have and the encoding settings. So, MakeMKV works faster than HandBrake.

6. HandBrake vs MakeMKV: Which One to Choose?

There is no absolute answer. It depends on your concern.

If you don't care about the quality that much and want to save space, it's necessary to transcode with HandBrake. Encrypted discs should be ripped with MakeMKV first, and then import the resulting file into HandBrake for compressing. Unencrypted sources can be directly processed by HandBrake.

If you want to convert your disc to archival copy with original quality, MakeMKV is your best choice. If you want to play the rip file on a big screen TV, you're also suggested to perform 1:1 rip with MakeMKV.

To rip Bluray or DVD for Plex streaming, MakeMKV or HandBrake? It's up to you. You can use MakeMKV first and then HandBrake. You can also just use MakeMKV and let Plex handle all the transcoding. Or you can add libdvdcss to HandBrake to make it decrypt encrypted DVDs or Blurays.

MakeMKV Tutorial: How to Rip DVD to MKV Using MakeMKV

Part 2. Best Alternative to MakeMKV and HandBrake

Apart from MakeMKV and HandBrake, WinX DVD Ripper is also a great tool to rip DVD. Check the comparison table below and you'll find good reasons to give it a try.

If you want to convert DVD to desired format with high quality and optimal file size with the fastest ripping speed, give WinX DVD Ripper a try. If MakeMKV and HandBrake fail to read your copy-protected DVD, give WinX DVD Ripper a try.

Please DO NOT use WinX DVD Ripper to rip rental DVDs.
If you read this article on mobile, please click here to get download link and a free license key.

Click here for more MakeMKV alternatives >>

Part 3. Frequently Asked Questions