Top pick: Shutter Encoder. Switching saves about $780 USD a year.
$779.88 USDa year
$1,019.88 CAD
Every pick below has a free version.
3 alternatives
The editor’s first choice for most people switching.
Best for a pro-codec encoder with a graphical interface
Free and open source (GPL), sustained by donations. Windows, macOS and Linux. Jobs are set up in its own window rather than sent from an editor.
Covers most of the same work, with trade-offs noted on each card.
Best for scripted or server-side encoding
Free command-line toolkit that most other encoders, including HandBrake and Shutter Encoder, build on. Needs scripting for batch work.
Best for converting video to MP4, MKV or WebM
Free and open source (GPL) for Windows, macOS and Linux. Aimed at distribution formats more than broadcast delivery.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
How each alternative covers what people use Adobe Media Encoder for. Numbers link to editor notes.
| Feature | Shutter Encoder | FFmpeg | HandBrake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion | |||
| Convert video and audio between formats and codecs | YesNote 1Video, audio and image transcoding with FFmpeg | YesNote 2Reads and writes nearly every codec and container | YesNote 3Converts nearly any source to MP4, MKV or WebM |
| Export presets for web, social and broadcast | YesNote 4Built-in presets for common outputs | PartialNote 5Codec presets and option files; no preset library or interface | YesNote 6Device and web presets |
| Automation | |||
| Watch folders for automatic encoding | PartialNote 7Batch queue processing; watch folders were not found in the docs | PartialNote 8Possible with scripts; nothing built in | NoNote 9Queue and folder scan exist; no watch folders |
| Editing support | |||
| Ingest and proxy creation | PartialNote 10Lossless cuts and image sequences; proxy creation was not documented | PartialNote 11Possible with scripts; nothing built in | PartialNote 12ProRes and DNxHR proxy presets; no ingest step |
| Processing | |||
| Loudness correction and LUTs | PartialNote 13Loudness analysis and normalization; LUT support was not confirmed | YesNote 14loudnorm and LUT filters | NoNote 15No LUT support or loudness correction |
| Output | |||
| Professional codecs and MXF output | YesNote 16ProRes and DNxHR output, with MXF handled through bmx | YesNote 17ProRes and DNxHR encoders and MXF muxing | PartialNote 18ProRes and DNxHR encoders in MOV; no MXF output |
| Integration | |||
| Send jobs from Premiere Pro and After Effects | NoNote 19No link to Premiere Pro or After Effects export | NoNote 20No link to Premiere Pro or After Effects export | NoNote 21No link to Premiere Pro or After Effects export |
| Parity score | 64% | 64% | 43% |
Not covered by any free alternative yet: Watch folders for automatic encoding, Ingest and proxy creation, Send jobs from Premiere Pro and After Effects. See all feature gaps
Can each alternative open and save Adobe Media Encoder files?
| Format | Shutter Encoder | FFmpeg | HandBrake |
|---|---|---|---|
| .mp4 | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity |
| .mov | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesNote 1MOV output is used for the ProRes and DNxHR presetsFull fidelity |
| .mxf | Opens and savesNote 2MXF output goes through FFmpeg and bmx tools; not testedPartial fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens onlyNote 3Opens MXF sources through FFmpeg; no MXF outputPartial fidelity |
| .wav | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity | NoNote 4Video converter; it does not output audio-only WAV |
Switching saves about $780 USD / $1,020 CAD a year. Prices checked .
Based on Creative Cloud Pro (includes Media Encoder). Price source.
Last verified . Ranking: tier first, then the published score.
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Adobe Media Encoder is a product of Adobe, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Adobe Media Encoder: Windows, macOS.