iPhone & Mac · 152 tools · 100% on-device
A HandBrake alternative
that also does audio, image, PDF and archive.
HandBrake is the gold-standard open-source video transcoder for desktop. MediaKit is built for the broader workflow: when the same hour involves transcoding a clip, compressing a PDF, converting a HEIC to PNG, extracting audio from a video, and unzipping a RAR, you'd rather not bounce between five tools — and definitely not upload files to a website to do it. MediaKit runs natively on both iPhone and Mac.
How does MediaKit compare to HandBrake?
HandBrake is a focused, world-class transcoder. MediaKit is a wider iPhone & Mac toolbox. Different jobs.
Scope
MediaKit: 152 tools covering video, audio, image, PDF, and archive work.
HandBrake: Focused video and audio transcoder. Deep in its lane.
HandBrake: Focused video and audio transcoder. Deep in its lane.
Encoder depth
MediaKit: Common-case profiles plus a deep config view; designed for "I want this clip smaller without thinking."
HandBrake: Industry-grade x264, x265, AV1 controls with every knob exposed for power users.
HandBrake: Industry-grade x264, x265, AV1 controls with every knob exposed for power users.
Platform & UI
MediaKit: Native on iPhone and Mac (one Universal Purchase), with modern drag-and-drop and a unified inspector.
HandBrake: Desktop-only (Windows/Mac/Linux). Power-tool UI with multiple inspector tabs; great once you know it.
HandBrake: Desktop-only (Windows/Mac/Linux). Power-tool UI with multiple inspector tabs; great once you know it.
Privacy / network
MediaKit: No network calls. No upload. See the Privacy Manifest.
HandBrake: Local, open-source. Equally on-device.
HandBrake: Local, open-source. Equally on-device.
Who should pick MediaKit vs HandBrake?
Pick MediaKit if…
- You do video and audio and image and PDF and archive work in the same week
- You're tired of uploading files to web converters
- You want a modern UI with a unified inspector on iPhone and Mac
- Common-case encoding presets cover 90% of your work
- You want all of the above in a single app
Stick with HandBrake if…
- You're a power encoder who tunes RF, B-frames, and refs by hand
- You batch-encode movie libraries with custom CLI workflows
- You only need video transcoding and prefer a focused open-source tool
- You contribute to or extend HandBrake yourself
About MediaKit
Questions
FAQ
What is the best HandBrake alternative for Mac?
MediaKit is a native iPhone and Mac alternative to HandBrake with a wider toolset. It bundles 152 local tools for video transcoding, audio conversion, image compression, PDF tasks, and archive work behind a single drag-and-drop interface. Everything runs on-device — no file ever leaves your device.
Does MediaKit upload my files to a server?
No. MediaKit is 100% on-device. The app is engineered specifically so you don't have to use 'upload your file to a random website to convert it' workflows that have become the default on the open web.
Does MediaKit run on iPhone too?
Yes. MediaKit is a Universal Purchase: buy it once and use it natively on both iPhone and Mac. HandBrake is desktop-only (Windows, Mac, and Linux), so MediaKit's on-device iPhone support is a genuine advantage if you also want to convert files on the go.
Does MediaKit support the formats HandBrake handles?
Yes for the common cases — MediaKit handles H.264, HEVC, AV1, audio extraction, frame-rate changes, and resizing for video. HandBrake's encoder tuning is deeper for niche scenarios; MediaKit's broader toolset covers audio, image, PDF, and archive work HandBrake doesn't touch.
What does MediaKit cost?
MediaKit is free to start. Some advanced tools and batch operations are part of a Pro tier, but the core conversion workflows are available without payment.
Try it
Open MediaKit.
152 native tools, one iPhone & Mac app, zero uploads. Free to start.