HandBrake is a free, open-source video transcoder built by volunteers. It converts video from nearly any format into modern, widely supported codecs, and saves the result as MP4, MKV or WebM. Built-in presets cover common devices and uses, so you can shrink a large recording or make a file play on a phone without learning encoder settings. Version 1.11.2 was released on 7 June 2026.
Who it suits
- People who need to reduce video file sizes for storage or sharing.
- Anyone converting old recordings into a format current devices play.
- Users who want batch conversion with a queue.
What it does not do
HandBrake is not a video editor: it does not cut scenes together, add titles or mix audio tracks from different sources. It also does not remove copy protection from commercial discs.
How to get the official version
- Windows: installers for x64 and ARM64 from handbrake.fr/downloads.php or the GitHub releases page. ZIP packages and a command-line version are also available.
- macOS: one disk image from the same pages.
- Linux: the Flatpak on Flathub, which the download page links to.
There is no official HandBrake app for Android or iPhone.
Cost
Free, under the GNU GPL version 2. There are no paid features.
Requirements
The official documentation lists Windows 10 (version 1909 or later) or Windows 11, with the .NET Desktop Runtime 10.0.x required on Windows; macOS 10.14 Mojave or newer; and Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04, or Fedora 42 or 43. It names 9th-generation Intel Core or newer, AMD Ryzen, or Apple Silicon processors, and 16 GB of memory for standard and HD video (32 GB for 4K).
Safety notes
Every file on GitHub has a .sig signature file next to it. You can also compare the SHA-256 hashes below with Get-FileHash on Windows.
Questions
Why does HandBrake ask for .NET on Windows?
The Windows interface needs the .NET Desktop Runtime 10. Install it from Microsoft if setup reports it missing.
Can HandBrake rip DVDs or Blu-rays?
It can read unprotected discs. It does not break copy protection.
Can I install it with winget?
Yes: winget install HandBrake.HandBrake.
