18 rules in 5 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 11.
Version 1, published 9 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest full version", then to the name.
Desktop converters that run on Windows 10 or 11 and turn video and audio files from one format into another. Media players, video editors, online-only converters and bare command-line tools such as FFmpeg are left out. 'On at least one plan' counts the free version too.
Systems 6 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Also runs on
The vendor offers an official download of the same converter for each system. Each one earns 3 points.
6
Formats 23 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
H.265 (HEVC) output
The converter can write H.265 / HEVC video, as listed on the vendor's features, specifications or documentation page.
4
AV1 output
The converter can write AV1 video, as listed on the vendor's features, specifications or documentation page.
6
Editing codecs
The converter can write Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD/DNxHR files, as listed on a vendor page.
3
HDR kept or tone-mapped
A vendor page says HDR10 video can be encoded with its HDR10 metadata kept, or converted to SDR by tone mapping. Only saying that HDR files can be opened, or "supports 4K HDR", does not count.
4
Audio-only conversion
A vendor page says the converter can output audio files such as MP3, AAC or FLAC, from video or audio input.
3
Subtitles
A vendor page says an external subtitle file (such as SRT or ASS) can be added to the output, burned into the video or kept as a separate track.
3
Speed 12 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
GPU encoding
A vendor page names hardware video encoding (not only decoding) on this GPU maker's chips on Windows, generally available: NVENC for NVIDIA, Quick Sync for Intel, AMF or VCN for AMD, or text that says hardware encoding works on that maker's GPUs. Logos alone, a bare "GPU acceleration" and lists of GPU models without the word encoding do not count. Each one earns 4 points.
12
Batch and tools 23 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Batch queue
A vendor page says several files can be added and converted in one run or in a queue, in the free or paid version.
5
Device presets
Ready-made output presets for phones, TVs, consoles or websites are listed on a vendor page.
3
Command line or watch folder
A vendor page or the documentation describes a command-line interface or a watch folder that converts files without opening the window.
5
Compress to a set file size
A vendor page says you can enter a target file size (for example in MB) and the converter encodes to fit it. A bitrate or quality setting alone does not count.
4
Trim, crop and rotate
A vendor page says the converter can trim (cut), crop and rotate video before converting; all three must be listed.
3
Reads DVD or Blu-ray
A vendor page says the converter can open DVD or Blu-ray discs, or their folders, as input. Reading only discs without copy protection still counts.
3
Price and licence 36 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free version without a watermark
A free version (not a time-limited trial) converts files with no watermark added to the output and no cap on length or number of files. True when a vendor page says so, or when the product is entirely free and no vendor page lists a limit. False when a vendor page says the free version or trial adds a watermark or limits length or files. Null when the pages say nothing.
12
Open source
The source code of the converter is public under an open-source licence named in the repository or on a vendor page. Source that can only be viewed does not count.
6
Pay once, keep it
The vendor sells a one-time-payment licence for one PC that keeps working without a renewal. Entirely free products are not counted here, because the price and free-version lines already reward them.
6
Cheapest full version
Cheapest plan for one PC with no watermark and no length cap, in US dollars, at the list price on the vendor US store page (ignore coupons and sales; if only a sale price is shown, use it). Yearly plans count at the yearly price, monthly x12, quarterly x4; a one-time licence at its full price. A bundle counts only if no cheaper plan is clean. Entirely free is $0. Tiers: $0 earns 12, $25 or less 9, $40 or less 6, $60 or less 3, $80 or less 1.