AVI (audio and video interleave), introduced by Microsoft, is the standard video format for Windows machines. Not all codecs contained in AVI are accepted by Apple devices and software. So you may often not be capable of opening AVI files on Mac.
Since both file types are containers, they rely on codecs to play back the video. AVI supports DivX and Xvid codecs, while MP4 – more than ten. The best way to convert AVI to MP4 on Mac. Since AVI files can be quite large and won’t play in QuickTime, you might find yourself wanting to convert an AVI video to MP4. Video Converter - Free! Video converter online for MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, OGG, WMV, DVD and animated-GIF video formats. Convert your videos from one format to another today using this free video converter software. Convert your videos so you can bring them around anywhere you go.
MP4, with maximum compatibility and smaller size than AVI, is the most universal video format.
Follow the steps in this article to convert AVI to MP4 on Mac, 4 methods provided.
Battle of the video format: AVI vs. MP4
| AVI | MP4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Microsoft | Moving Picture Experts Group |
| Initial release | 1992 | 2001 |
| Video quality | Excellent (slightly better than MP4) | Excellent |
| File size | Large | Relatively small |
| Compatibility | Microsoft devices, Windows-based players, etc. | Almost all devices and players |
Convert Large AVI to MP4 on Mac without Losing Quality
The best-recommended software to turn AVI into MP4 on Mac at super fast speed is Cisdem Video Converter. It also supports video conversion between all kinds of SD/HD/4K formats, such as MKV to MOV, H264 to HEVC, MP4 to MP3, YouTube to MP4, AVI to Android, etc. To facilitate multiple conversions of AVI files at once, batch processing is allowed.
Best AVI to MP4 Converter for Mac
- Convert large (even above 1GB) AVI to MP4 60fps, 30fps, 25fps, etc.
- Compress large AVI files via HEVC, while preserving high quality
- Fast and bulks convert multiple AVI videos
- Compatible with 300+ input & output formats
- Control the file bitrate (kbps), codec, frame rate (fps), aspect ratio, etc.
- Built-in media player to view AVI
- Join all short AVI clips and produce 1 final full-length video
- Download any video from streaming sites like YouTube, Vimeo, and more
- Rip DVDs with CSS protection (home or commercial used) to digital formats
- Work on OS X 10.10 or higher, including macOS 11.0 Big Sur
Steps to batch convert AVI to MP4 on Mac (with h264 codec or h265 codec):
STEP 1. Load AVI files
Cisdem AVI converter for Mac has three interfaces. Drag-n-drop your AVI videos from local folder to the first one for video conversion.
STEP 2. Choose the desired output format – MP4
Click the format profile icon, and a drop-down list appears to bring up the format profile options. Pick up 'General Video' > 'MP4 Video” or “MP4 HEVC Video' (amazing visual quality while saving 50% bit rate).
It also covers a wide range of available pre-set devices, choose the Apple iPhone/iPad series, Android smartphones, game consoles, etc. as you like.
STEP 3. Edit AVI files (optional)
The program has useful video editing capabilities: crop AVI; create special effect/watermark/subtitle; etc. Click the icon to enter the video-editing mode.
STEP 4. Convert AVI to MP4 on Mac
Via “Output” at the bottom, choose the destination path to save the converted files. Finally, click the icon to begin converting AVI files to MP4 in bulk.
How to Convert AVI to MP4 on Mac Using a Pre-installed App?
iMovie is a Apple-based video editor with the ability to edit video footage and export it as MP4 or MOV.
But not all types of AVI videos are supported by iMovie. AVI is a multimedia container format, not a specific type of file. It can be compressed by a quantity of codecs. Those AVI videos encoded with Indeo, native DivX, Cinepak, ALaw 2:1, etc. can’t be put onto iMovie.
So before turning AVI into MP4 on Mac, check if it’s an iMovie compatible video codec.
1. Launch iMovie. Drag and drop AVI clips into it.
Before macOS transitions to 64-bit technology, the AVI file imported into iMovie requires conversion. The converted format in iMovie library will be compatible with versions of macOS after Mojave. Note: macOS Catalina doesn't support such conversion. You can click 'Convert' or 'Skip'.
2. In the top menu, click “File” > 'Share' > 'File…'. Alternatively, click the 'Share' button in the upper right corner > 'File'.
3. In the file dialog box that pops up, adjust the resolution, quality and compression settings.
Don’t set the quality as “Best (ProRes), otherwise the output format is MOV.
4. Hit on 'Next', name the exported iMovie MP4 file and specify the location where to save it.
5. Click “Save”.
How to Turn AVI into MP4 on Mac with a Command Line Toolbox?
As a powerful command-line tool, FFmpeg allows you to convert/stream/record video and audio file. Its advanced codec library - libavcodec ensures high portability and codec quality.
To use this open source AVI to MP4 converter for Mac, you must know some basic coding techniques. Otherwise, you won't be able to start. The installation of FFmpeg is already very complicated for technical novices.
1. Follow the tutorial to install FFmpeg on Mac.
2. Find Terminal app and initiate it.
3. Drag and drop FFmpeg to the Terminal.
4. Type the command –i. Add the original AVI video into terminal. Then enter xxx(the output file name).mp4.
Individual AVI file conversion: -i input.flv xxx.mp4.
Batch processing multiple AVI files: for i in *.avi; do name=`echo '$i' | cut -d'.' -f1` echo '$name' ffmpeg -i '$i' '${name}.mp4' done or for i in *.avi; do ffmpeg -i '$i' '${i%.*}.mp4'; done.
5. Press the “Enter” key to transcode AVI videos to MP4.
Free Online AVI to MP4 Converters for Mac
Online video converter is also a popular way for AVI conversion. Video.online-convert.com is free online file converter. It has 7 parts: Audio converter, Video converter, Image converter, Document converter, E-book converter, Archive converter and Hash generator.
- Open https://video.online-convert.com/convert-to-mp4 in your web browser.
- Click 'Choose Files' to upload AVI resources from your Mac. You can also drop the file directly onto the green box area or import it from the cloud storage.
- (Optional) Scroll down. Customize the file settings.
- Hit 'Start conversion' to turn AVI into MP4 online.
- Download the MP4 file on Mac.
You can try this free online tool to convert AVI to MP4 Mac, but don’t ignore its limits and drawbacks:
- The total file size of per conversion can’t exceed 100 MB. That means you can't convert more than 100MB AVI file, let alone 1GB.
- Convert up to 20 videos within 24 hours
- Convert up to 5 AVI files at the same time
- You have to upload your video online for conversion. The video may be copied or leaked by others. Thus don't convert confidential or important videos online.
People Also Ask
1) Can I turn AVI into MP4 on Mac with VLC?
Yes, but not straightly.
Although VLC gives you an output option: Video- H.264 + MP3 (MP4), it's actually M4V. The M4V and MP4 formats are very similar. The main difference is that M4V might optionally be encrypted by DRM copy protection.
You can change the file extension to .mp4, but the video and audio are often corrupted or coming with some serious lagging. If this happens, try to customize the profile:
- Video codec H.264, keep original video track
- Audio codec MPEG 4 Audio (AAC), keep original audio track
In addition, when converting large AVI files (more than 500 MB), VLC stops short of the full conversion.
Obviously, VLC is not a good AVI to MP4 converter for Mac to get the task done.
2) Can HandBrake transcode AVI video to MP4?
HandBrake is a free video transcoder to convert videos from nearly any format including AVI, unprotected DVD, and BluRay sources. It lets you add multiple AVI files to queue, and transcode them to MP4 in batches.
But it's not a perfect AVI to MP4 transcoder for Mac.
- Can only convert AVI to two formats, MP4 and MKV (no more output options).
- The conversion speed is a bit slow.
- Even with H265 compression, the file size increased after conversion. I tested a 26.6MB AVI file. Through Handbrake x265 transcoding, the output file size is 64.2MB (more than twice the size of the original), whereas the size is 20.4MB (no quality loss) via Cisdem Video Converter.
3) Can QuickTime convert AVI to MP4 on Mac?
Yes, you can do it, but two conditions need to be met:
- Use QuickTime 7 Pro (paid and not available on macOS Mojave or later)
- The AVI can be imported to QuickTime 7 Pro. AVI has dozens of codecs in hundreds of combinations, some of which are not supported by Apple software. (Refer to the iMovie mentioned above)
If both of these met, then you can:
- Open AVI in QT 7 pro.
- Navigate to the “File” menu.
- Click “Export” to reveal the format list.
- Choose “Movie to MPEG-4”. Necessarily, fine-tune the video parameters.
- Save the video.
QuickTime X doesn't offer video conversion option. However, when you open a playable AVI file, it will automatically convert AVI to MOV.
4) How to open AVI on Mac?
For those who are using Mac OS X 10.4.7+ and QuickTime 7 or previous, you are able to install Perian - the third-party component packages of QuickTime Player.
The best way is to look for alternative to QuickTime. Both VLC and Cisdem Video Player are free to play AVI files on Mac.
Conclusion
The post shares the fastest and best AVI to MP4 converter for Mac. To be honest, freeware not ideal choices due to the slow speed, low quality, complex operation, or limits. And online converters will let out your personal information. I believe a professional video converter app is needed, which is safe, more stable and gives you higher quality than other tools.
An AVI to MP4 converter is a specialized file converter that allows you to transcode AVI videos to MP4 files. It helps not only to reduce the size of the files, but also lets you enjoy your favorite movies on mobile phones.
Video conversion is never an easy task, not to mention using a free AVI to MP4 converter.
So, it makes sense that many people left messages to complain that their videos were damaged by video converters.
Therefore, we identify best 15 free AVI to MP4 converters for you, and also the simple guide of converting AVI to MP4 is attached.
Part 1. How to Convert AVI to MP4 (Recommende Way)
The above free AVI to MP4 converter can easily help you to free transfer AVI to MP4 for free. However, another way of exporting AVI to MP4 free has some limites to convert AVI to MP4 like file size, file number, etc. Here, we recommend the best way to convert AVI to MP4 on computer with AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate . Llet's check its functions one by one:
- 1. Lossless conversion. It is able to convert video formats without damaging quality, including the resolution from SD to HD, even 4K UHD.
- 2. Higher compatibility. This video converter supports almost all video and audio formats.
- 3. Video editor. The built-in video editor offers basic editing tools, like clip, merge, rotate, mirror, watermark, effects, 3D, etc.
- 4. Extract sound from video or DVD easily.
- 5. Rip DVD. It also has the capacity to extract video and audio from DVDs.
- 6. Add or delete subtitle, extra-audio track, etc.
How to use AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate
Step 1: Download and install software on your PC
Above all, just download the AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate from AnyMP4 website, and then you should install it on your computer.
Step 2: Run program and choose Add Files
Avi Video Converter For Mac Free Download
After you finish installation, open this application. Afterwards, click 'Add Files' icon to choose the video that you intend to convert it to MP4 online. This option is the second one at the top of the interface.
Step 3: Edit the video to be perfect
Next, click the 'Edit' icon. After that you can adjust video rotate, crop, watermark, filter and effect according to your requirement. Regarding this step, you can just skip it directly if you don't need to modify or polish this video, you can skip it directly.
Step 4: Choose the video output format
Then, hit the inverted triangle in the box next to the 'Convert All to' text to choose the MP4 format.
Step 5: Start to convert video
Once you have finished all the steps above, you can click the 'Convert All' choice at the bottom of the interface.
Part 2. Best 10 Free AVI to MP4 Converter Software for Windows and Mac
1. Aiseesoft Free Video Converter
Platform: Windows, Mac
Aiseesoft Free Video Converter is another popular video converter. Apart from encoding AVI to MP4, it also lets you encode AVI format to more than 300 formats, and convert MP4 to AVI and other formats for free. It customizes the output settings like codec, bitrate, resolution (up to HD). As for the editing features, it can edits opening theme and ending theme. Last but not lease, it lets you batch convert AVI to MP4 on computer.
This free AVI to MP4 converter is easy to use. After importing one or several AVI videos and choose MP4 from the dropdown list of 'Output format' as the output format, and one-click on the Convert button will complete the job.
2. Handbrake
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
Handbrake is an open source AVI to MP4 converter. It converts AVI videos to MKV, M4V, MP4, AAC, FLAC, MP3, etc. Besides, it extracts MP4, MOV, FLV, WMV, MP4, etc. videos from DVDs. When converting MP4 files, it supports 4K resolution AVI to MP4 conversion. What's more, it offers extensive custom options.
How to use Handbrake to convert AVI to MP4
Step 1: Go to 'Source-> Open File' to import the AVI video into the program. Drop a folder to save the output in 'Destination' area.
Step 2: Choose MP4 on the 'Container' list and click 'Start' button.
3. Miro Video Converter
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
Miro Video Converter is a free AVI to MP4 converter for Mac, Windows and Linux. Let's check what is also supported apart from free converting AVI to MP4. It supports drag-and-drop command to convert AVI to MP4 for free. If you want to convert AVI to device, it also leaves you the option to convert video to various devices directly. It is easy to transfer files to MP4, WebM, OGG, MP3, etc.
How to use Miro Video Converter Mac
Step 1: Connect your phone to the Mac computer and launch the program. Drag and drop the AVI videos into it.
Step 2: Choose a target device or MP4 from 'Format' area and hit 'Convert to WebM SD' to start converting.
4. FFmpeg
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
FFmpeg is another open source command line AVI to MP4 converter. Apart from being the AVI to MP4 converting freeware, it also includes libavcodec, the leading open source codec library. Besides, it is fast to convert AVI to MP4 for free if you are not beginners.
How to use this free AVI to MP4 converter
Step 1: Click 'Open' button to load the AVI video and then hit 'Save As' to select a folder to save the result.
Step 2: Choose MP4 on the 'Video Codec' list and click 'Encode' button to start encoding AVI to MP4.
5. AnyMP4 Free MP4 Converter
Platform: Windows, Mac
AnyMP4 Free MP4 Converter is one of the best free AVI to MP4 converter. It converts AVI format to MP4 without quality loss. Moreover, it adjusts video effect, rotate, flip, add watermark, clip and merge, etc. Apart from AVI, it also converts MOV/MKV/AVI/WMV/FLV/VOB/SWF/M4V to MP4. While converting, it encodes multiple videos in one click. Before converting, it lets you preview video effects before converting.
How to convert AVI to MP4 for free
Step 1: Run the free AVI to MP4 converter and import several AVI videos to convert by clicking 'Add File' button.
Step 2: Choose MP4 on the 'Profile' menu and drop a destination. Finally, click 'Convert' button to encode AVI to MP4.
6. VLC
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome OS, and more
VLC is a both a media player and a free AVI to MP4 converter. Apart from converting AVI to MP4, it also converts AVI to MP4 and other video formats, like DVD, MKV, FLV, MOV, WebM, MPEG, etc. It can help you grab online videos and download in MP4. A wide range of codecs like H.264, H.265, DivX, VP8 and more are supported by VLC. Last, it can even play and stream multimedia online and offline.
How to use VLC Media Player as a video converter
Step 1: Go to 'Media' menu and click 'Convert/Save' option to open the 'Open Media' dialog.
Step 2: Click Add button in File tab to import AVI video. Then unfold the 'downward' icon and choose 'Convert'.
Step 3: Pick up 'MP4' on the 'Profile' list and click on 'Start' button to begin converting.
7. WinX Free AVI to MP4 Converter
Platform: Windows
WinX Free AVI to MP4 Converter is a free AVI to MP4 converter tool. It can transcode AVI to MP4, MOV, MPEG, WMV, MP3, etc. Before converting from AVI, it can compress MP4. Powerful editing features like merge, crop, trim, and more are supported. Its hardware acceleration support can speed up the AVI to MP4 conversion.
When you want to convert videos, drag and drop them into the program and click on Run button. The program will complete the process.
8. Freemake Video Converter
Platform: Windows
Freemake Video Converter is a popular free video converter for PCs. It can compress the output MP4 files before converting. If you have no AVI files, it can download and convert online AVI files to MP4 directly. Besides, it can rip AVI, MP4, etc. videos from DVD and burn MP4, AVI, and more files into DVD disc. Like other AVI to MP4 converter, it can edit MP4 files before converting, like merge, clip, rotate, etc.
After upload AVI videos into the free AVI to MP4 converter, you can click on 'to MP4' option to start the conversion process.
9. Any Video Converter Free
Platform: Windows, Mac
As its name said, AVC is a free AVI to MP4 converter as well. It supports HEVC/H.265 Video Coding. Even for DVDs, it is capable of extracting MP4 videos and audio from DVD. Before converting, it lets you edit and enhance videos.
This video converter supports two-step video conversion. Import an AVI video, choose MP4 from the output format list and click on Convert Now button to finish the operation.
10. Free HD Video Converter Factory
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome OS, and more
The free version of HD Video Converter Factory is another choice to convert HD AVI to MP4. It converts AVI videos from computer locally or URL to MP4.
Free Avi Video Converter Available In
After load AVI videos and choose MP4 from the output list, you can get what you want by clicking on the Run button of the free AVI to MP4 converter.
Part 2. Top 5 AVI to MP4 Converter Online and Free
11. Online Converter
Online Converter offers various file converters, including a free AVI to MP4 converter. It imports AVI files from hard disk, cloud services or websites. Besides, it converts AVI, FLV, M4V formats to MP4 online. Before converting AVI to MP4 online, it provides extensive custom options to customize the MP4 files.
When it comes to how-to, you can upload an AVI video from PC or Google Drive and click on Convert file button to complete conversion and download.
12. Online Video Converter
If you need a free AVI to MP4 converter online, Online Video Converter is one of the best choices. It transcodes AVI videos to MP4 or other formats online. For the long MP4 files, it lets you set start point and end point to cut the video as the video cutter. You can also decide the output quality.
It supports one-click conversion. So, after import an AVI file and customize output format and other options, hitting the Start button will complete the process.
13. AConvert
As a free AVI MP4 video editor and converter, AConvert can encode local or online AVI videos to MP4. Before converting AVI to MP4 free online, it lets you cut, merge, rotate or crop videos online. With customization options, it lets you create unique videos.
Once you upload an AVI on the home page and set MP4 as target formats, clicking Convert Now button will take you to the result page when it is done.
14. Files Conversion
Files Conversion's video encode app is another free AVI to MP4 converter. It allows you to upload videos from computers or URL for converting to MP4. Its output option lets you encode AVI to MP4 for portable devices directly. It can also customize result quality and size.
Similar to other online video converter, all you need to do is to upload an AVI video, choose MP4 from format list and click Convert button to evoke the conversion process.
Free Video Converter For Mac Mkv To Avi
15. HD Convert
HD Convert works for converting HD videos online. It can encode HD videos to MP4 or other formats. It also offers various preset solutions and convert AVI to MP4 automatically.
This free AVI to MP4 converter is able to convert video online easily. Choose MP4 converter and upload an AVI video. It will do the rest work automatically.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shared top 15 free AVI to MP4 converters in detail. Some are best desktop programs; others are to online video converters. You can discover most appropriate video converter software based on our introductions. Moreover, when you need to convert videos, you can follow our guides to get what you want easily.
Free Video Converter Avi To Mp4 For Mac
Part 4. FAQs of Converting AVI to MP4
1. Is AVI better than MP4?
AVI video has better quality. If you prefer better quality, you can choose AVI, but if you prefer to save space, MP4 is a good choice.
2. Can I convert AVI to MP4 with HandBrake?
Yes. Handbrake is one of the converters that you can use to turn AVI to MP4. It can convert many formats, and it's totally free and works best with Linux, Mac and Windows platforms.
3. How do I convert AVI to MP4 on Mac?
Free Download Converter For Mac
You can try AnyMP4 Free MP4 Converter to change your AVI videos to MP4 on Mac. You just need to Download the program from Mac App Store and install it on your Mac computer. When you need to convert AVI videos, launch the program. Then add the AVI files to this program and choose MP4 format as the output file. In the end, click the Convert button to start your conversion.
4. Can I extract audio from AVI videos with VLC?
Free Video Converter Mac
VLC is a popular media player and free of charge. You can find more powerful features in it, such as convert AVI to MP3 or other audio formats, rip homemade DVD, record videos, and more.