Systems6 of 6
Formats23 of 23
Speed12 of 12
Batch and tools23 of 23
Price and licence30 of 36
video converter · Paul Pacifico
Shutter Encoder
Free, open-source converter built on FFmpeg, with ProRes and DNxHR output, a watch folder and a target-file-size setting.
In short
- Shutter Encoder is free, with no limits or advertising, and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux1.
- The source code is on GitHub under GPL-3.06.
- Output codecs include H.265 and AV1, and editing codecs include Apple ProRes and DNxHD/DNxHR2.
- Hardware acceleration is documented for NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs3.
- You can set a target file size in megabytes, and a watch folder converts files as they arrive3,4.
Shutter Encoder suits video editors who want a free converter with ProRes, DNxHR, a watch folder, a render queue and a target-size setting1,2,3,4. It runs on all three desktop systems and its source is GPL-3.01,6. The catch: its pages do not describe a command-line interface, and the documentation says its file-size setting cannot guarantee an exact size3.
Best for: Editors and video makers who want a free converter with professional codecs and a watch folder.
Where the points come from
Systems 6 of 6 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Also runs on | macOS, LinuxDownloads listed for macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Linux (.deb and AppImage)1. | 6 / 6 |
Formats 23 of 23 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| H.265 (HEVC) output | YesOutput codecs list: H.264, H.265, H.266, VP8, VP9, AV12. | 4 / 4 |
| AV1 output | YesAV1 appears in the output codecs list2. | 6 / 6 |
| Editing codecs | YesEditing codecs list includes DNxHD, DNxHR and Apple ProRes2. | 3 / 3 |
| HDR kept or tone-mapped | YesDocumentation says HDR to SDR conversion uses a LUT3. It does not mention HDR10 metadata. | 4 / 4 |
| Audio-only conversion | YesSound conversions list WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, AAC, AC3, Opus and others2. | 3 / 3 |
| Subtitles | YesImports .srt, .vtt or .ass files and can embed closed captions or burn in open captions2,7. | 3 / 3 |
Speed 12 of 12 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| GPU encoding | NVIDIA NVENC, Intel Quick Sync, AMD AMF/VCNDocs: hardware acceleration enables GPU encoding, compatible with Nvidia, AMD and Intel GPUs on any OS3. Counted by maker. | 12 / 12 |
Batch and tools 23 of 23 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Batch queue | YesREADME lists batch queue processing; the home page describes a render queue2,6. | 5 / 5 |
| Device presets | YesPreset packs are offered for Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter7. | 3 / 3 |
| Command line or watch folder | YesDocumentation describes a watch folder that monitors input folders and converts files3. | 5 / 5 |
| Compress to a set file size | YesThe File size setting takes a target in megabytes; the encoder attempts to reach it3. | 4 / 4 |
| Trim, crop and rotate | YesHome page lists trim and cut and cropping; documentation lists a rotation setting2,3. | 3 / 3 |
| Reads DVD or Blu-ray | YesDocumentation says the DVD-RIP function recovers unprotected DVDs; the functions list shows DVD and Blu-ray under Burn and Rip3,5. | 3 / 3 |
Price and licence 30 of 36 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Free version without a watermark | YesHome page calls it completely free software without any limitations or advertising1. | 12 / 12 |
| Open source | YesGitHub repository shows the GPL-3.0 licence6. | 6 / 6 |
| Pay once, keep it | NoNot sold; the product is entirely free1. Free products are not counted here by the rule. | 0 / 6 |
| Cheapest full version | $0Entirely free, so $01. | 12 / 12 |
The rule behind each line: how we score video converters.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
| Plan | Price as listed | Per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeAll users | Free1 | $0 | No limits or advertising; optional donations |
Strengths
- Free with no limits or advertising, funded by optional donations1.
- Writes Apple ProRes and DNxHD/DNxHR files, plus H.265 and AV12.
- Documentation covers GPU encoding for NVIDIA, AMD and Intel on any system3.
- A watch folder monitors input folders and converts new files3.
- A file-size setting aims for a target in megabytes3.
Limits
What Paul Pacifico says
Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.
- Shutter Encoder says it has more than 3.7 million downloads1.
Other video converters
- 2
HandBrakePeople who want a free converter with no watermark and a command-line option87/100$0cheapest full version - 3
XMedia RecodeWindows users who want a free converter with many codecs and device profiles69/100$0cheapest full version - 4
Any Video ConverterPeople who want a free converter without watermarks and may upgrade later67/100$0cheapest full version - 5
Format FactoryPeople who want a free all-purpose converter and accept an optional bandwidth-sharing offer63/100$0cheapest full version
Shutter Encoder vs HandBrake · Shutter Encoder vs XMedia Recode · All 11 video converters
Sources
- Shutter Encoder, Shutter Encoder. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Shutter Encoder (English home page), Shutter Encoder. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Documentation, Shutter Encoder. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- FAQ | Tips, Shutter Encoder. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- List of functions, Shutter Encoder. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- paulpacifico/shutter-encoder, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Shutter Encoder documentation (English), Shutter Encoder. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: www.shutterencoder.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Paul Pacifico.