--- title: Format Factory canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/format-factory/ category: Video Converter Software points: 63 rank: 5 of 11 facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # Format Factory Free Windows converter for video, audio, pictures and discs, with hardware encoders for NVIDIA, Intel and AMD listed in its release notes. 63 points out of 100. #5 of 11 video converters. Vendor: PCFreetime. Website: https://www.pcfreetime.com/ - The vendor describes Format Factory as free; no paid plan is listed. Version 5.22.0.0 dates from 11 March 2026 [1]. - It runs on Windows only; the vendor's page lists no other system [1]. - Release notes list hardware encoders for NVIDIA (nvenc), Intel (qsv) and AMD (amf), including AV1 [2]. - It rips DVD and Blu-ray discs to video files [1]. - The licence text offers premium features in return for joining the Bright Data network; you can opt out in Options [3]. Verdict: Format Factory suits people who want a free Windows converter that also rips discs and writes HEVC and AV1 [1][2]. Release notes list GPU encoders for all three makers [2]. The catch: the vendor's pages say little about automation or target file size, and the licence text includes an optional Bright Data network offer [1][2][3]. Best for: People who want a free all-purpose converter and accept an optional bandwidth-sharing offer. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Also runs on | None | 0/6 | The vendor's download page lists Windows as the only system [1]. | | Formats | H.265 (HEVC) output | Yes | 4/4 | Release notes: HEVC (H265) codec added in MP4 and MKV; H.265 encoders added to FLV in 2024 [2]. | | Formats | AV1 output | Yes | 6/6 | Release notes: AV1 encoder support added for MP4 and MKV (V5.2.0) [2]. | | Formats | Editing codecs | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's download page or release notes [1][2]. | | Formats | HDR kept or tone-mapped | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's download page or release notes [1][2]. | | Formats | Audio-only conversion | Yes | 3/3 | Download page lists an audio converter and music CD ripping to audio files; release notes list All to MP3, OGG and FLAC [1][2]. | | Formats | Subtitles | Yes | 3/3 | Release notes: convert video with an SRT subtitle file added (V1.55); external subtitle file fixes later [2]. | | Speed | GPU encoding | NVIDIA NVENC, Intel Quick Sync, AMD AMF/VCN | 12/12 | Release notes list av1_nvenc, av1_qsv, av1_amf hardware encoders and tuned h26X_nvenc, h26X_qsv, h26X_amf [2]. | | Batch and tools | Batch queue | Yes | 5/5 | Release notes list an Add Folder button, adding large numbers of files, a saved task list and adjustable task threads [2]. | | Batch and tools | Device presets | Yes | 3/3 | Release notes list profiles for PSP, iPhone and other mobile devices (V1.13, V1.90, V2.40); home page lists iPhone and iPod formats [1][2]. | | Batch and tools | Command line or watch folder | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's download page, FAQ or release notes [1][2]. | | Batch and tools | Compress to a set file size | Not published | 0/4 | Not published; release notes mention only a Size Limit option from 2017, without a description [2]. | | Batch and tools | Trim, crop and rotate | Not published | 0/3 | Download page lists clipper and crop for video; video rotate appears only in bug-fix notes, so all three are not listed [1][2][4]. | | Batch and tools | Reads DVD or Blu-ray | Yes | 3/3 | The download page says it rips BD and DVD to video files [1]. | | Price and licence | Free version without a watermark | Yes | 12/12 | Vendor calls it free; no page lists a watermark, length or file cap. The licence text mentions an optional Bright Data offer [1][3]. | | Price and licence | Open source | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's pages; the licence text names only LGPL third-party parts (ffmpeg, Qt, QtAV) [3]. | | Price and licence | Pay once, keep it | No | 0/6 | Entirely free and no paid licence is listed, so there is no one-time licence to count [1][3]. | | Price and licence | Cheapest full version | $0 | 12/12 | Free; the vendor lists no paid plan [1][3]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free | Free [1][3] | $0 | The vendor's pages list no paid plan [1][3]. ## Strengths - Free, with no price, watermark or length limit listed on the vendor's pages [1]. - Release notes list AV1 and HEVC encoders and hardware encoders for NVIDIA, Intel and AMD [2]. - Rips DVD and Blu-ray discs and music CDs [1]. - Converts audio as well as video, and adds SRT subtitle files to video [1][2]. ## Limits - Windows only; no macOS or Linux download is listed [1]. - The licence text ties some premium features to joining the Bright Data network, which can be opted out of [3]. - The vendor's pages do not describe a command line or a target file size [1][2]. - Features are described mostly in release notes, not a feature page, so details such as HDR are not published [1][2]. ## Sources 1. [Format Factory (download page)](https://www.pcfreetime.com/formatfactory/index.php?language=en), PCFreetime, accessed 2026-10-09 2. [Format Factory update history](https://www.pcfreetime.com/formatfactory/changelog.php?language=en), PCFreetime, accessed 2026-10-09 3. [Format Factory EULA and privacy policy](https://www.pcfreetime.com/formatfactory/eula_privacy_policy.php?language=en), PCFreetime, accessed 2026-10-09 4. [PCFreetime home page](https://www.pcfreetime.com/), PCFreetime, accessed 2026-10-09