Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

HandBrake VS MKVToolnix

Compare HandBrake VS MKVToolnix and see what are their differences

HandBrake logo HandBrake

HandBrake allows users to easily convert video files into a wide variety of different formats.

MKVToolnix logo MKVToolnix

MKVToolnix is a set of tools to create, alter and inspect Matroska files under Linux, other Unices...
  • HandBrake Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-14
  • MKVToolnix Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-13

HandBrake features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    HandBrake is completely free to use, and its source code is open to the public, allowing for community contributions and enhancements.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    HandBrake is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Wide Range of Input Formats
    HandBrake supports a vast array of input video formats, ensuring that users can convert almost any video file they have.
  • Customizable Encoding Settings
    Users have extensive control over the encoding settings, including options for bitrate, resolution, codecs, and more, allowing for tailored output.
  • Built-In Presets
    HandBrake includes a variety of built-in presets for different devices and platforms, making it easier for less experienced users to get started.

Possible disadvantages of HandBrake

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The extensive customization options and advanced features can be overwhelming for beginners or less tech-savvy users.
  • Occasional Bugs and Stability Issues
    Like many open-source projects, HandBrake can occasionally experience bugs and stability issues, which might require users to troubleshoot problems on their own.
  • Limited Output Formats
    While HandBrake supports various input formats, it primarily focuses on MP4 and MKV for output, which may not meet all user needs.
  • Resource Intensive
    Video encoding and conversion can be resource-intensive processes, potentially leading to high CPU usage and lengthy processing times, especially for higher resolution videos.
  • No Built-In Media Library
    HandBrake does not include a built-in media library for managing videos, meaning users have to organize and manage their files outside of the application.

MKVToolnix features and specs

  • Comprehensive File Support
    MKVToolnix supports a wide range of multimedia file formats for input and output, making it a versatile tool for merging, splitting, and modifying MKV files.
  • Open-Source
    As an open-source software, MKVToolnix is free to use and offers transparency for users who want to understand its inner workings or contribute to its development.
  • Multi-Platform Availability
    MKVToolnix is available for various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing accessibility to a broad audience.
  • Extensive Features
    The software offers a comprehensive set of features, such as merging, splitting, demuxing, and multiplexing, along with support for subtitles, audio tracks, and chapter editing.
  • Regular Updates
    MKVToolnix receives frequent updates, which include bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features, ensuring it remains current with industry standards.

Possible disadvantages of MKVToolnix

  • Complexity for Beginners
    The extensive feature set and specialized nature of the software can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring a steep learning curve to utilize effectively.
  • Command-Line Interface
    While MKVToolnix includes a graphical user interface, many of its powerful features are accessible only through its command-line interface, which can be daunting for non-technical users.
  • Limited Support for Non-MKV Formats
    Although MKVToolnix supports various input formats, its primary focus is on MKV files, which may limit its utility for users working extensively with other file types.
  • Resource Intensive
    Processing large multimedia files, especially with complex tasks such as merging or transcoding, can be resource-intensive and may require significant system memory and CPU power.
  • Basic User Interface
    The user interface, while functional, is relatively basic and may not meet the expectations of users looking for a more polished and visually appealing design.

HandBrake videos

How to use Handbrake 1.1.1 - Beginners Guide for Exporting Video

More videos:

  • Review - 'Budget' Sim Handbrake '16-Bit Hall Sensor' Review [Banggood]
  • Review - Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake Review

MKVToolnix videos

How To Use Mkvtoolnix | Technical Maher

More videos:

  • Review - Como Multiplexar Videos con MKVToolNix (modificar videos MKV)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to HandBrake and MKVToolnix)
Video
84 84%
16% 16
Video Converter
84 84%
16% 16
File Converter
90 90%
10% 10
Audio & Music
55 55%
45% 45

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare HandBrake and MKVToolnix

HandBrake Reviews

18 Best Video Converter Software in 2022 (Free and Paid)
Xmedia Recode, which comes with 16.6MB of installer file, is absolutely a lightweight video converter. The supporting list of input and output video codecs of this best video conversion software is totally the same as HandBrake. But, it is widely regarded as the "HandBrake +" solution on Windows. Why? This compact video converter software can export 30+ video and audio...
Best Video Converter Software
Note for Handbrake Users with Nvidia G-Sync Monitors: During testing of the Windows version, I noticed that my G-Sync monitor was refreshing very oddly and flickering when the Handbrake window was active or moved around the screen. To correct this, open the Nvidia control panel, go to ‘Manage 3D Settings’ and set the Handbrake app to force G-Sync by default. Even if you’ve...
Top 5 Free Freemake Alternatives – Help You Deal with Video Format Conversion without Hassle
HandBrake is a splendid Freemake Video Converter alternative which can carry out video format transcoding process at a sharp speed. By the way, you can take it to change video encoder, adjust frame rate and bitrate, etc.
4 Best Ways to Convert AVI files to MP4 on Mac/ Windows
Handbrake can meet your need to convert AVI to MP4 on Mac for free and ensure the quality of the converted files as much as possible. It is one of the best open source and free video converters in the market, as it accepts almost any video format and converts them into three formats: MP4, MKV, and WebM.
9 Best ManyCam Alternatives To Make Live Video Better
It is a multi-platform software that can be used on Windows, Linux, Mac, etc. Even your simple video file can be converted into a high-quality standardized one. To improve your encodes, you get access to several basic and advanced options. All your encodes can be queued effortlessly on Handbrake.

MKVToolnix Reviews

We have no reviews of MKVToolnix yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, HandBrake should be more popular than MKVToolnix. It has been mentiond 568 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

HandBrake mentions (568)

  • On Export, Left audio is delayed by about half a second, is there a fix?
    Https://handbrake.fr/ its very easy to use. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Vegas PRO18, my mov files.
    At this point, use https://handbrake.fr/ to transcode into a higher res MP4 and use as proxy footage,. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Can't read a file on TV app but fine on plex web
    It's an additional step, but you could run that season through Handbrake and convert the audio stream. It free and has a batch function so set once and it'll do them all. https://handbrake.fr/. Source: about 1 year ago
  • software to convert files like mkv to mp4 and others
    Https://handbrake.fr/ - also FOSS. GUI interface. Will also convert anything you have to anything you want. Source: over 1 year ago
  • The 10 tools I install on every new Mac I get
    Handbrake - batch conversion of videos made easy (free). - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
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MKVToolnix mentions (185)

  • TRUEHD 7.1 Slow Down
    Fourth, try remuxing one of the problem files. Use the Multiplexer section of MKVToolNix. This will copy the contents to a new MKV file. It is like putting a letter in a new envelope when the original is damaged, but the pages inside are OK. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Remove Audio Commentary over TV shows
    If the audio tracks are displayed as unknown, the language flag needs to be set. Use tools such as MKVToolNix Header Editor to configure the language for audio & subtitle tracks. Source: over 1 year ago
  • /r/Plex's Moronic Mondays' No Stupid Questions Thread - 2023-07-10
    As for extracting tracks from MKVs, the low-level way would be to use ffmpeg directly (something like ffmpeg -i video.mkv -map 0:s:0 subtitle.sup would extract the first subtitle stream to a .sup file, the extension used for standalone PGS subtitles), but something like MKVToolNix can probably do it as well. That won't help you too much on its own though, since you now just have an external image-based subtitle... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Advice needed on anime series with two audio language versions.
    You could use a tool outside of Plex (like MKVToolNix) to combine the video+audio of one version with the audio+subtitles of the other. It gets trickier, or at least more tedious, if the videos aren't exactly the same, since you'd then have to account for any audio/subtitle shifting. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Plex isn't syncing episodes into database
    Option 3: Change to MKV container. Use MKVToolNix or similar tools and remux to a MKV container. Note that this may cause problems with Dolby Vision. LG TVs must have Dolby Vision in a MP4 container, otherwise the video will not play correctly. Probably affects other Plex clients as well. Source: over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing HandBrake and MKVToolnix, you can also consider the following products

Format Factory - Format Factory is software that allows the user to convert media into various file formats. The software is a product of PC Free Time, a Chinese software development company. Read more about Format Factory.

MKVCleaver - MKVcleaver is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for mkvtoolnix, designed to extract data from MKV...

Freemake Video Converter - Freemake Video Converter Converts 500+ Formats & Gadgets FREE! Convert to MP4, AVI, MKV, WMV, DVD, Xvid. FREE Download. **Voted Best of 2018** Comes with FREE…

tsMuxeR - tsMuxeR update for 3D blu-ray (HD) DVD & Blu-ray authoring

File Converter - Convert & compress everything in 2 clicks!

Subler - Subler is a Mac OS X application that opens media containers, allows you to add or remove media...