Format Factory
A free Windows toolbox for converting video, audio, image and PDF files.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Windows
Is Format Factory free?
Yes, free to use
Switch from Format Factory to
All 6
HandBrakeOpen source
- WoWondershare UniConverter
Starting price: US$45.99 a year (Yearly Plan, Windows)
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Format Factory
Format Factory is a long-standing freeware media converter for Windows from the developer Free Time. Its core job is turning video, audio and image files from one format into another, with presets for phones and other devices, but it bundles a lot more: trimming, joining, splitting and cropping video, removing logos, mixing audio, ripping DVDs, Blu-rays and music CDs, repairing damaged media files and shrinking file sizes. It also covers some jobs outside media, such as joining PDFs, converting PDFs to Word, Excel, text or images, and unpacking Zip, RAR and 7z archives, and it has a screen recorder and a downloader for online video sites. The interface is translated into dozens of languages. It suits people who want one free program for occasional conversions rather than separate specialist tools. It is closed source and runs only on Windows.
Best for: Windows users who want one free program for occasional video, audio, image and PDF conversions.
Format Factory pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Format Factory's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Nov 8, 2026 | pcfreetime.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Free, with no paid tier needed for conversions
- Covers video, audio, images, disc ripping and PDFs in one app
- Can repair damaged video and audio files
- Interface available in dozens of languages
Why people leave
- Windows only
- Closed source, unlike HandBrake
- Large download (about 160 MB) with many features most people won't use
Format Factory vs HandBrake, Wondershare UniConverter and Movavi Video Converter
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Format Factory | HandBrake | Wondershare UniConverter | Movavi Video Converter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Open source | Paid | Paid |
| Verified price | — | — | US$45.99 a year (Yearly Plan, Windows) | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | No | No |
| Open source | No | Yes | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS |
Top Format Factory alternatives
See all 6- 1HandBrake83.8
Free and open source on Windows, Mac and Linux, focused on high-quality video transcoding.
- 2WoWondershare UniConverter79.8
A paid all-in-one converter and editor that also runs on Mac.
- 3Movavi Video Converter61.8
A paid converter with a cleaner interface and Mac and Windows versions.
- 4
fre:ac59.4Free and open source for audio conversion and CD ripping, without the extras.
- 5
Any Video Converter57.5Free Windows and Mac video converter with device presets and basic editing, a similar all-in-one approach.
Why people left Format Factory
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Reviews
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Format Factory: common questions
What is Format Factory?
Format Factory: A free Windows toolbox for converting video, audio, image and PDF files. Best for windows users who want one free program for occasional video, audio, image and PDF conversions. Available for Windows.
Is Format Factory free?
Yes, Format Factory is free to use.
How much does Format Factory cost?
Format Factory is free to use. Price: Free. Checked on Format Factory's own site, November 2026.
Is Format Factory open source?
No, Format Factory is not open source. Open-source alternatives include HandBrake and fre:ac.
What platforms does Format Factory run on?
Format Factory is available for Windows.
What are the best alternatives to Format Factory?
The highest-ranked Format Factory alternatives right now are HandBrake, Wondershare UniConverter and Movavi Video Converter. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Format Factory vs HandBrake: what's the difference?
Format Factory is free to use; HandBrake is free and open source. HandBrake is open source and Format Factory is not. Only HandBrake runs on macOS and Linux.