Top 7 Video Converters for Android Devices

How nice it is to watch video on the go, for example on your Android device! There are a great deal of mobiles, tablets, e-readers and other devices on the Android platform, each of them having video playback support.

However, only a few codecs are supported, only H.263, H.264 AVC, MPEG-4 SP, VP8. The corresponding video containers are .3gp, .mp4, .webm, .ts, .mkv. According to Android developers recommendations, H.264 is the best option for most devices. So if you’re going to transfer DVD, PC or web-based videos to your Android, you can’t do without reencoding. Fortunately, there are numerous free, and paid, applications available on the Internet to help you. Here’s a look of the most popular video converters to Android devices, their pros and cons, and small tips on what software to pick up for a certain device.

Freemake Video Converter

Pros:

• free and easy-to use;
• has presets for Android devices;
• lets you create custom profiles and edit video parameters;
• accepts 200+ input video formats;
• features hardware acceleration for large video file conversion;
• visually appealing and intuitive interface.

Cons:

• Windows only;

Bottom line:
Freemake Video Converter is ideal if you know your screen resolution – you just need to pick the appropriate preset for your Android.

Handbrake



Pros:

• open-source;
• accepts multiple video formats, including unprotected DVD and Blu-ray;
• advanced preset editor (video filters, multiple subtitles tracks, cropping/scaling, etc.);
• live video preview;
• runs on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Cons:

• no device presets;
• complicated settings for a not tech-savvy user.

Bottom line:
Handbrake is a good solution if you are on Mac or Linux or want to totally control output video settings.

Videora Converter

Pros:

• free;
• has ready presets for most devices;
• conversion settings are configurable;
• possibility to convert YouTube videos for Android (requires YouTube Downloader installation);
• available for Windows and Mac.

Cons:

• complicated website navigation – it’s difficult to find “the exact converter” for your device model;
• ads within installer and the software itself;
• no drag’n’drop.

Bottom line:
Videora Converter is good if it has a profile for your Android phone and you’re not sensitive to advertising.

PCHand Media Converter

Pros:

• there’s a free edition;
• preset editor with standard settings;
• video preview;
• clean and explanatory interface.

Cons:

• no presets;
• no DVD and HD video support in the free version;
• only Windows support.

Bottom line:
This is a good option if you convert SD videos and know the video settings for your Android.

Miro Video Converter

Pros:

• free;
• has profiles for Android devcies;
• support both Windows and Mac OS;
• minimalist GUI.

Cons:

• no preset editor;
• no batch mode.

Bottom line:
Use this converter if you’d like to encode video for an Android phone supported by the software.

FormatFactory

Pros:

• free;
• accepts numerous video formats and DVD;
• advanced preset editor.

Cons:

• ads on the software;
• no ready presets for Android;
• Windows only.

Bottom line:
FormatFactory is ideal for those who are able customize video settings for an exact device and save it for a regular use.

Sothink Video Converter

Pros:

• has a free edition;
• has presets for some Android phones;
• has video preview;
• powerful profile editor;
• clean and easily navigatable interface.

Cons:

• watermark on the output with the free version;
• some formats (AVI (H.264/AVC), AVI (H.264/AVC)) available only in Pro version;
• no HD support in the free version.

Bottom line:
This video converter is a good solution for even not tech-savvy users, no need to delve into video settings if there is a profile for your device.

Frequently Asked Questions about Video Converters for Android Devices