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Best 10 Handbrake Alternatives for DVD Ripping & Video Converting

Here we review top 10 best Handbrake alternatives to rip DVDs and convert videos on Windows (11/10/8/7) and Mac.

Handbrake is a good helper to assist people in ripping DVDs and converting videos. It is open source, clean, and easy to use (check full Handbrake user guide). However, it has some limitations and always pops up errors, thus leading many guys to search for the best Handbrake alternative.

Some Handbrake limitations and errors that may irritate you include:

  • Handbrake can't rip copy-protected DVDs.
  • Handbrake only rips half DVD.
  • Handbrake says 'No valid source or titles found'.
  • Handbrake output formats are limited to MKV and MP4 containers.
  • Handbrake always get crashed/stuck.

Besides the aforementioned, you may encounter other flaws while using Handbrake. If you've fed up with Handbrake, you can try the following Handbrake alternatives out, and see what you think.

HandBrake vs WinX DVD Ripper

Part 1. Best Handbrake Alternatives for DVD Ripping

No.1 WinX DVD Ripper (Windows & Mac)

WinX DVD Ripper can work as an alternative to Handbrake, available for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and so on. And its Mac version is compatible with OS X 10.6 and later, covering macOS Catalina, macOS Big Sur, and macOS Monterey.

If you're looking for a Handbrake alternative on MacOS, you can get the Mac version here.

As a Handbrake substitute for DVD ripping, WinX DVD Ripper is better than Handbrake in many aspects, such as:

  • It can rip DVDs protected by DVD CSS, region code, RCE, Sony ArccOS, UOPs, Disney X-project DRM and more independently. 99-title DVDs and workout DVDs are fully supported. It automatically ticks the right title and delivers high-quality output in order. No crashes.
  • It provides 350+ different output formats. Handbrake allows users to rip DVD to MP4 and MKV only, but this tool is able to convert DVD to AVI, MP4, WMV, MOV, FLV, MPEG, MP3, AAC, M4A and more video audio formats besides MKV and MP4.
  • It comes with hundreds of preloaded profiles. Handbrake provides limited output profiles, while WinX DVD Ripper is designed to help directly rip DVD to iPhone, iPad Pro/Air/mini, Apple TV, Android Samsung, Google Nexus, Sony, Xbox etc.
Best free handbrake alternative - WinX DVD Ripper

Compare WinX DVD Ripper vs HandBrake

 

WinX DVD Ripper

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Windows, Mac

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

Shareware

Freeware

Supported input files

  1. Home-made DVD
  2. Commercial copy-protected DVD
  3. ISO image
  4. VIDEO_TS folder
  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Number of output presets

350+

70+

Output formats

  1. File containers: MP4, MOV, WMV, AVI, MTS, M2TS, TS, MPEG2, FLV, M4V, etc.
  2. Video encoders: H.264, MPEG4, Xvid, DivX, etc.
  3. Audio encoders: MP3, AAC, AC3
  4. Other formats: ISO, VIDEO_TS, PNG
  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

Trim, crop, merge, crop, add subtitles

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

Yes

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

Yes

No

Audience

Anyone who needs an easy-to-use way to rip and backup home-made and store-bought DVDs at fast speed.

Anyone who wants to use a free open-source program to convert non-protected media. However, non-professionals may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★★★

★★★★☆

No. 2 DVDFab (Windows & Mac)

DVDFab is another well-known program you can use to replace HandBrake DVD ripper. Just like WinX DVD Ripper, it is able to remove DVD copy protections, and rip regular and encrypted DVD discs/ISO files/DVD folders to popular media file formats and prevailing devices. But according to the DVDFab reviews on TopTenREVIEWS, it is not a fast DVD ripper. It needs about 1h to finish a full rip of a movie, while other competitors only cost about half that time when ripping the same movie.

Best alternative to handbrake for DVD ripping - DVDFab

Compare DVDFab vs HandBrake

 

DVDFab

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Windows, Mac

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

Shareware

Freeware

Supported input files

  1. DVD
  2. Blu-ray
  3. 4K Blu-ray
  4. Video files

 

  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Output formats

  1. DVD
  2. Blu-ray
  3. Video: MP4, MKV, AVI, WMV, M2TS, MOV, TS, WebM
  4. Audio: MP3, FLAC, WMA, MKA, M4A, OGG, etc.
  5. Subtitle: SRT
  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

Merge.
For more features, users need to install DVDFab extension package.

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

Yes

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

No

No

Audience

Anyone who needs a versatile tool that can copy and convert DVD, Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray, and videos.

Anyone who wants to use a free open-source program to convert non-protected media. However, non-professionals may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★★☆

★★★★☆

No. 3 Aimersoft DVD Ripper (Windows & Mac)

As powerful as the aforesaid alternatives to Handbrake, Aimersoft DVD Ripper can also deal with copy-protected DVDs and possesses similar features, like rip DVD to mainstream multimedia formats, smartphones, tablets and gaming systems. It provides 175 preprogrammed output profiles in total. Meanwhile, it allows users to adjust video audio parameters and edit videos. It's a solid choice for both beginners and advanced users. However, the disadvantage is that it cannot perform a straight rip of raw DVD files such as the ISO or the Video TS folder.

Best alternative to handbrake for DVD ripping - Aimersoft

Compare Aimersoft DVD Ripper vs HandBrake

 

Aimersoft DVD Ripper

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Windows, Mac

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

Shareware

Freeware

Supported input files

  1. DVD
  2. ISO
  3. DVD Folder
  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Output formats

  1. Video: AVI, MP4, WMV, MOV, FLV, MKV, 3GP, MPEG, etc.
  2. Audio: MP3, M4A, WMA, AC3, OGG and much more.
  3. Image
  4. CD
  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

Trim, crop, merge, rotate, apply special visual effects, add subtitles, add watermarks

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

Yes

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

No

No

Audience

Anyone who needs to convert DVD disc to mainstreaming formats.

Anyone who wants to use a free open-source program to convert non-protected media. However, non-professionals may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★★

★★★★☆

No.4 MakeMKV (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Just like HandBrake, MakeMKV can rip Blu-ray and DVD discs to digital. But, there are a few differences. Firstly, HandBrake itself can't handle copy-protected discs while MakeMKV can. MakeMKV is better than HandBrake in terms of decrypting DVD. Secondly, HandBrake exports files in MP4 and MKV while MakeMKV can only export large MKV files. You can use MakeMKV as an alternative to HandBrake. Actually, many users often make HandBrake and MakeMKV in combination. They use MakeMKV to decrypt disc to MKV video and use HandBrake to compress the large MKV file.

Best free handbrake alternative - MakeMKV

Compare MakeMKV vs HandBrake

 

MakeMKV

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Windows, Mac, Linux

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

Free to use during BETA

Freeware

Supported input files

  1. DVD
  2. Blu-ray
  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Output formats

  1. MKV
  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

No

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

No

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

No

No

Audience

Anyone who wants to convert DVD or Blu-ray to MKV format without compression.

Anyone who wants to use a free open-source program to convert non-protected media. However, non-professionals may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★★☆

★★★★☆

No.5: iSuper DVD Ripper (Mac)

iSuper DVD Ripper is a super fast and high-quality DVD ripping software to rip home-made DVD to MP4, AVI, WMV, etc. You can download it from the Mac App Store safely and for free. It's relatively more a Handbrake Mac alternative as it rips un-encrypted DVDs only. By using iSuper DVD Ripper, you can rip DVD to popular formats, like MP4, MOV, MKV, M4V, etc with unmatchable speed and incrediable quality, edit the video effect, such as brightness, trimming, merging, subtitle and so on.

Handbrake alternative mac - iSuper DVD Ripper

Compare iSuper DVD Ripper vs HandBrake

 

iSuper DVD Ripper

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Mac

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

Freemium

Freeware

Supported input files

  1. Home-made DVD
  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Output formats

  1. Video: MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, MKV, FLV, M4V
  2. Audio: AAC, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, M4A, and WAV, etc.
  3. Image
  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

Cut, merge, add watermark, Adjust the video brightness, saturation, hue, contrast, etc.

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

Yes

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

No

No

Audience

Anyone who want to rip home-made DVD on Mac.

Anyone who wants to use a free open-source program to convert non-protected media. However, non-professionals may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★

★★★★☆

No.6: Xilisoft DVD Ripper (Windows, Mac)

Xilisoft DVD Ripper is a surprisely easy-to-use alternative to Handbrake on macOS. It allows you to convert home DVD to popular formats, adjust video effects, crop image frame size, merge, trim file size, and add subtitles for DVD movies. Likewise, it can't rip DVD with copyright. With the support of NVIDIA CUDA & ATI APP technology, it accelerates DVD ripping speed to 5X faster. Meanwhile, if you have multiple files to convert, Xilisoft can handle them concurrently.

alternative to Handbrake - Xilisoft DVD Ripper

Compare Xilisoft DVD Ripper vs HandBrake

 

Xilisoft DVD Ripper

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Windows, Mac

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

Shareware

Freeware

Supported input files

  1. Home-made DVD
  2. ISO
  3. DVD folder
  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Output formats

  1. Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, HD WMV, etc.
  2. Audio
  3. Picture

 

  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

  1. Standard version: no editing features
  2. Platinum version: cut, join
  3. Ultimate version: join, clip, crop, add subtitle, soundtrack, watermark,adjust video brightness and contrast, and edit video effects.

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

Yes

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

No

No

Audience

Anyone who wants to convert home-made DVD and make some edits.

Anyone who wants to use a free open-source program to convert non-protected media. However, non-professionals may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★★

★★★★☆

Part 2. Best Handbrake Alternatives for Video Conversion

No.1 Winxvideo AI (Windows & Mac)

When it comes to selecting an alternative to Handbrake for converting videos, Winxvideo AI is must be recommended. As we have mentioned at the beginning, Handbrake has many disadvantages while converting videos. So you need a replacement like Winxvideo AI which enables you to:

  • Convert/compress HD and even 4K UHD and 8K FUHD videos stably;
  • Convert videos among MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, MPEG, MKV, M2TS, TS, MOD, HEVC (H.265), FLV, VOB, etc quickly;
  • Convert videos to iPhone, iPad, Android Samsung, HTC, Kindle Fire, Sony, Xbox and more directly;
  • Convert audio among MP3, AAC, WMA, AC3, FLAC, PCM, OGG, etc;
  • Enhance video quality with AI upscaling, AI stabilization, AI interpolation, edit video, add effects/subtitles, adjust video settings, and more.

Not only function as a video converter, it is also an image/video enhancer, a screen recorder, an online video downloader supporting 1000+ sites, and a photo slideshow maker supporting background music.

handbrake alternative to convert video

Compare Winxvideo AI vs HandBrake

 

Winxvideo AI

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Windows, Mac

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

Shareware

Freeware

Supported input files

370+ formats: MP4, MOV, MKV, H.264, H.265, H.266, AV1, MXF, M2TS, AVCHD, MPEG, AVI, FLV, WebM, etc.

  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Number of output presets

420+
Cover all popular formats, devices, websites, and programs.

70+

Output formats

  1. File containers: MP4, MOV, WMV, AVI, MTS, M2TS, TS, FLV, M4V, etc.
  2. Video encoders: H.264, HEVC, MPEG4, Xvid, DivX, etc.
  3. Audio encoders: MP3, AAC, AC3
  4. Image format: PNG
  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

Trim, crop, merge, crop, add subtitles/effects/watermark, enhance image/video quality with AI, adjust speed, and more.

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

Yes

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

Yes

No

Audience

Anyone who needs an easy and fast video converter and compressor.

Anyone who needs a free open-source video transcoder. However, non-tech savvy people may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★★★

★★★★☆

No 2. Freemake Video Converter (Windows)

Freemake Video Converter is a multi-functional yet free Handbrake alternative for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. It is able to convert videos among a wide range of video formats, rip unprotected DVDs to common formats/devices as well as burn DVDs. That's really a pity that Freemake doesn't accompany with a Mac version, thus people have to seek for a Freemake alternative for Mac. In addition, most users complained on CNET saying that Freemake Video Converter is full of adware and possible malware. Be careful if you want to use it.

Handbrake alternative for Windows - FreeMake Video Converter

Compare Freemake Video Converter vs HandBrake

 

Freemake Video Converter

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Windows

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

Freemium adware

Freeware

Supported input files

  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Video
  3. Audio
  4. Photo
  5. URL
  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Output formats

  1. DVD
  2. Blu-ray
  3. Video
  4. Audio
  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

Cut, join, rotate, add subtitles

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

 Yes

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

No

No

Audience

Anyone who needs an all-in-one video converter.

Anyone who needs a free open-source video transcoder. However, non-tech savvy people may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★☆☆

★★★★☆

No 3. Any Video Converter (Windows & Mac)

Any Video Converter, also known as AVC, is advertised to be able to convert almost all video formats (200+ formats in total). Just like other Handbrake alternatives, AVC is not limited to convert videos. It can also edit videos by cutting, cropping, download videos from YouTube and other 100+ sites, and record videos. But compared to WinX Video Converter, it is a bit behind in upgrading to support new devices, such as iPhone, Apple TV 4, and iPad Pro.

best alternative to handbrake - Any Video Converter

Compare Any Video Converter vs HandBrake

 

Any Video Converter

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Windows, Mac

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

It has a free version and an ultimate version

Freeware

Supported input files

Free version: video, audio, CD
Ultimate version: DVD disc, folder, ISO image, video, audio

  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Output formats

  1. Video
  2. Audio
  3. DVD
  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

Clip, crop, flip, merge, add special effects, add watermarks and subtitles.

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

Yes

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

No

No

Audience

Anyone who is looking for a program that can convert video, audio, CD, and burn video to DVD.

Anyone who needs a free open-source video transcoder. However, non-tech savvy people may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★☆☆

★★★★☆

No.4 Format Factory (Windows)

This HandBrake alternative is a free and multifunctional media converter. In addition to converting videos, it can also convert audios, convert images, PDFs, and convert Blurays, DVDs, and CDs. Moreover, it can clip video, join video, split video, crop video, delogo video, download video, record video, and do more. This is really a versatile tool.

Best free HandBrake alternative - Format Factory

Compare Format Factory vs HandBrake

 

Format Factory

HandBrake

Platforms supported

Windows

Windows, Mac, Linux

License

Ad-supported freeware

Freeware

Supported input files

  1. Video
  2. Audio
  3. Picture
  4. DVD
  5. CD
  1. Non-protected DVD
  2. Non-protected Blu-ray
  3. Video files

Output formats

  1. Video
  2. Audio
  3. ISO
  1. File Containers: .MP4(.M4V), .MKV and WebM
  2. Video Encoders: H.264 and H.265 (Including hardware acceleration support), MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, VP8, VP9 and Theora
  3. Audio Encoders: AAC / HE-AAC, MP3, FLAC, AC3, E-AC3, Opus and Vorbis

Video editing features

Merge

Trim, crop

Support for adjusting quality

 

Yes

Support for Level-3 hardware acceleration

No

No

Audience

 

Anyone who needs a free open-source video transcoder. However, non-tech savvy people may need to spend a lot of time learning how to use this program.

Ease of use

★★★☆☆

★★★★☆

Sum Up

There are many HandBrake alternatives. Some are even better than HandBrake. Above are our picks for the best HandBrake alternatives for ripping DVDs and converting videos, some paid and some free. If you need to rip DVD, WinX DVD Ripper is the best way to go. It can decrypt and rip any DVD to ISO, VIDEO_TS, MP4, MPEG, MOV, MP3 and more multimedia formats. If you need to convert video, WinX Video Converter is a good choice. It supports video of any format and converts it to all popular formats. Both WinX DVD Ripper and WinX Video Converter support GPU hardware acceleration to improve conversion speed and support High Quality Engine to export high quality file.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

author -beatrice

Brent Archer twitter icon

Brent Archer is an experienced editor who loves all things related to social. He has spent more than a decade writing instructional contents related to social media, streaming services and video related topics all over the internet for Digiarty. Outside the social, he is addicted to Google I/O, Apple WWDC and other tech news to keep him informed.

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