Top 10 4K Converter Programs to Try [List for 2020]

In this day and age, everyone wants to record, watch, and stream content in 4K UHD resolution. With four times the pixels of Full HD video, 4K videos offer more detail and clarity, making them look better. As 4K displays become more common, the popularity of 4K videos continues to rise. However, better quality means that 4K videos take up more space than Full HD videos. The large file size of 4K videos can also be an issue when you try to upload them to any social media platform. If you want to save space and bandwidth, you'll need to use a 4K converter to downgrade your 4K videos to a lower resolution.

There are many free video converters online that you can use to convert videos to 4K. A 4K video converter will downgrade a 4K video to a lower resolution, such as 720p or 1080p, to make the file size smaller. Almost all of these kinds of editors allow you to specify the final output resolution and change other aspects of the conversion process. Here is a list of simple and free 4K video converter programs that you can use to shrink a 4K video down to a lower resolution.

Top 10 4K Converter Software to Try [List for 2020]

1. Video Editor

If you're looking for a feature-packed 4K video converter that also offers some professional-grade video editing tools, give Toolvideo Editor a try. It packs a bunch of powerful tools and features into an easy-to-use interface. With this app, you can convert your 4K videos shot with GoPro or iPhone to lower resolutions in any format (MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, and more) and frame rate for easy sharing. It also comes with conversion presets tailored for social media sites like iPhone, YouTube, and Facebook. Toolvideo Editor offers over 300 visual and transition effects and lets you add background music to your videos. You can even speed up or slow down parts of the video before converting it. However, this application is available only for Windows systems.

How to Use a Video Editing Tool to Convert 4K Videos

Step 1: Go to the Video Editor website and download and install the application on your computer.

Step 2. Launch the app on your computer. You'll be prompted to choose an aspect ratio. Select the appropriate aspect ratio for your video, then continue.

Step 3. Now, you need to add your video file to the application. You can do this by clicking on the "Import" option and selecting "Import File," or by simply dragging the file into the application.

4. Right-click the video within the application and select “Add to Project” to add it to your current project.

Step 5: After adding the video to your project, click on “Export” in the top menu bar.

Step 6. On the next screen, you can convert your video to several file formats. Tap the “Video” tab, and you'll see all the available formats you can convert your file to. Choose one, then tap “Export” at the bottom.

Step 7. If you want to configure advanced options, click the icon next to Output Settings to open the Output Profile window.

2. HandBrake

Handbrake is a popular free and open-source video converter that works on all major platforms – Windows, Mac, and Linux. It offers a host of detailed video conversion options, including support for chapter markers, video filters, frame rates, and more. The converter can also shrink your existing 4K videos to smaller file sizes while retaining the same resolution. It also has presets for various devices, so you don't have to fiddle with conversion settings. However, the problem with Handbrake is that it can be extremely complicated for the average user. The sheer number of options it displays might confuse casual users.

3. Converter

You don't need to install an app on your PC to convert 4K videos. You can use an online tool like Convertio to convert 4K videos for free. It's a simple and easy-to-use service that lets you upload your 4K video, choose the output format, and that's it. Despite being web-based, Convertio supports all kinds of video formats, including converting videos to MP4. However, it has a major limitation – it only allows you to convert videos up to 100MB in size. It also doesn't offer any presets for iPhones or PCs like the other video converters on this list.

4. Zamzar

Zamzar is a free online file conversion service that also offers 4K video conversions. It supports almost all popular video formats and resolutions, although the output options are quite limited. While Zamzar allows for an unlimited number of video conversions per day, the maximum file size per clip is restricted to 200MB. One advantage of Zamzar is that you can paste a video URL, and it will automatically convert the file for you to download, although this doesn't work with YouTube videos. You can also have the download link for your final media file sent to your email for downloading later.

5. HDConvert

HDConvert is a simple, no-frills online 4K video converter. It lets you change the resolution of your 4K videos to 720p or 1080p without having to fiddle with video codecs and other transcoding settings. The free version of this service adds a watermark to all converted videos, and its conversion speeds are a bit slower than those of the other apps on this list.

6. VLC

VLC is an open-source media player that also happens to be free for converting 4K videos. It works on both Windows and macOS. The media player supports almost every codec and resolution for conversion. However, the feature is hidden in the “Settings” menu, making it difficult to use. It offers so many options that average users might find it confusing.

（Image: VLC - Top 4K Converter）

7. Prism Video Converter

Prism Video Converter is a video converter with some video editing features. It supports converting 4K videos in almost any format to whatever you need. Additionally, it can compress 4K videos to reduce file size and save storage space. Notable features of Prism Video Converter include adding color filters, watermarks, or subtitles to your videos, adjusting brightness and contrast, and the ability to crop or split videos before converting. You can also use the app to convert video files to MP4. Prism Video Converter is ideal for those who need a 4K video converter and have basic video editing needs. It will come in handy in this regard.

Image Description: Prism - Leading 4K Converter

8. Movavi Video Converter

Movavi Video Converter is a feature-rich 4K video converter that also offers some basic video editing features, including the ability to stabilize shaky footage. It's available on all platforms, including Windows and macOS. Like the other converters on this list, Movavi supports virtually all video formats. It can also compress 4K videos to reduce their file size. A unique feature of Movavi Video Converter is its ability to search for subtitles online and then add them to your videos.

(Movavi - Leading 4K Converter)

9. Video to Video Converter

It's a free 4K converter that supports over 200 video formats. The Video to Video Converter also has a portable version, meaning you can use it without first installing on your PC. It also has a built-in DVD ripper, a handy commercial remover tool, video-to-image tool, and more. You can even add watermarks to your converted 4K videos.

10. FFmpeg

FFmpeg is an open-source, developer-centric converter that can transcode your 4K videos into any format of your choosing. If you're interested in the libraries and dependencies that a converter uses, you'll love FFmpeg. Unlike the other apps on this list, FFmpeg doesn't have a traditional user interface. Instead, it has a command-line-driven interface, which means you'll have to use it through the Terminal on a Mac or Linux or the Command Prompt on Windows.

This image is described as: "ffmpeg - Top 4K Converter".

Which 4K converter should I use?

While there are plenty of 4K video converters out there, not all of them may suit your needs. A 4K video converter should be easy to use and offer a plethora of options and presets to make the task at hand seem less daunting. Considering all these features, it's quite clear that a video editor is the best tool for the job. It allows users to convert 4K videos with ease and offers many other useful options, including trimming and cropping videos, adding video effects, and more. Even if you're looking for a free MP4 video converter, this one can be quickly picked. With that said, here are answers to some frequently asked questions by readers.

Can 1080p be converted to 4k? How to convert 2k to 4k?

While all the converters above can upscale 1080p to 4K, it's not recommended that you do so since, technically, you can't convert a lower resolution video to a higher one. The same goes for 2K to 4K, though the opposite is possible.

Can you upgrade your TV to 4K?

Before you convert your 4K video for TV playback, make sure you have a 4K TV. There's no point in playing 4K content on anything else.

How to Convert 4K Video to Lower Resolution?

While you can use any of the above tools to downscale 4K resolution to a lower one, we recommend using a video editing tool to convert the video file to mp4 with a lower resolution.