Though both H.264 and MP4 are popular formats, and sometimes, MP4 format is a popular choice for H.264 format, they are not the same. H.264 is a coding format that also appears in AVI, AVCHD, MKV, MOV, etc. files. In some cases, you will need to convert H.264 to MP4 format. For example, when the H.264 HD video comes in huge size and is not suitable for your mobile storage. To that end, an H.264 to MP4 converter is needed to convert H.264 files to MP4/MPEG4 format with a smaller size and high quality.
Best H.264 to MP4 Converter Free Download
MacX Video Converter Pro, a 4K video converter & compressor is introduced here to help convert videos between formats, e.g. H.264 to MP4.
- Convert H.264 to MP4, and FLV, MOV, MKV, AVI, etc. to MP4.
- Compress HD 1080P/4K H.264/HEVC (MKV/AVCHD) by 40%-50%.
- 180+ video and 14+ audio formats supported.
- GPU-accelerated. 5x faster. Highest quality.
Part 1. Why Convert H.264 to MP4 Format?
H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10 or MPEG-4 AVC), is a coding format used for decoding and encoding high-quality videos. As a part of MPEG-4, H.264 has more advanced compression methods than other basic MPEG-4 compression ways. So, it is widely used for YouTube/Vimeo videos, HD DVDs/Blu-ray files, BD players, HDTV, AVCHD recorders, etc.
MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a container format that can contain multiple video and audio streams, subtitles, still images, and other data in one file. Same to H.264, MP4 is widely used over the internet, for iPhones, iPad, mobiles, TV, and more.
The reasons to convert H.264 file to MP4 format include:
- H.264 is a newer format that some older versions of software, player, devices, etc. can recognize.
- An H.264 file is often larger in size than an MP4 file.
- H.264 file often comes with HD and 4K resolution which can’t be processed smoothly by all platforms.
- The H.264 files take more processing power. Especially the HD/4K H.264 videos will require more power to decode or playback, which means that mobiles will run out of battery faster when playing H.264 than MP4.
Based on the facts, you need to convert H.264 to MP4 mpeg4 if you want to keep the high quality of H.264 at a small file size like MP4 format.
Part 2. Best 5 H.264 to MP4 Converters Recommendation
In this part, we will introduce 5 different H.264 to MP4 file converters to help you change any video to MP4 format. Each one of them has advantages, disadvantages, unique features, and specific scenarios. You can choose the one you need after reading the reviews.
No.1: MacX Video Converter Pro
It’s safe and clean yet professional in converting H.264 to MP4 with satisfying results. MacX Video Converter Pro, a 4K video converter & compressor supports 200+ file formats that can convert H.264 to MP4 mpeg4, AVI, WMV, FLV, 3GP, MOV, and other digital formats freely. Also, you can use it as video compressor software that can compress large-size HD/4K H.264 files (e.g. MKV, AVCHD) to MP4 in a smaller file size. If needed, you can cut the unwanted parts, lower the resolution, adjust the video FPS or bit rate, etc. to customize your video.
This H.264 to MP4 converter supports Hardware Acceleration technology and comes with multi-core CPU support so it can deliver 15x faster conversion speed. Besides, the high-quality engine and deinterlacing tech will reserve the highest quality of the output video.
Pros
- High-quality video conversion.
- Supports a wide range of formats: H.264, MP4, HEVC, MKV, MOV, 4K, etc.
- Superfast conversion speed.
- Built-in video editor.
Cons
- Limited customization.
- No cloud support.
- No DVD support.
How to convert H.264 to MP4 on Mac/PC with MacX Video Converter Pro?
Step 1. Free download MacX Video Converter Pro, install and launch it.
Step 2. Click the + button to add your H.264 video. Or you can simply drag and drop your H.264 video to the interface. Also, adding multiple videos is supported.
Step 3. Once the Output Profile window pops up, choose MPEG4 MP4 as the output format.
Step 4. Optionally, you can further edit the video if necessary. It has options for you to trim, crop, add watermark, compress video file size, lower video resolution, add subtitles to output videos, etc.
Step 5. Click the Browse button to select a destination folder to save the converted MP4 video. Then, hit the RUN button to start converting H.264 file to MP4 format.
No.2: AnyConv
AnyConv is an online file conversion tool that allows users to convert files from one format to another format without the need to install any software. This online H.264 to MP4 converter supports over 400 different file formats, including documents, images, audio, video, and archive files, so users can convert different files without having to use multiple tools.
It is quite easy to use. You only need to upload the H.264 video to it and then this online service will do the rest job for you. If you consider safety, AnyConv uses SSL encryption to ensure that all file transfers are secure and private. Also, this tool is completely free to use on Windows, Mac, and so on.
Pros
- Easy to use: user-friendly interface and straightforward conversion process.
- Supports over 400 different file formats.
- Secure and private.
- Totally free to use.
Cons
- Limited file size: the maximum file size is 50 MB.
- Limited customization options: can’t adjust quality, resolution, FPS, etc.
- Internet connection required.
- Limited advanced features: no batch conversion, no video editing, or audio extraction.
- The conversion speed is quite slow.
- No offline support.
How to free convert H.264 to MP4 online with AnyConv?
Step 1. Go to the official website of AnyConv.
Step 2. Click on the CHOOSE FILE button to upload your H.264 video. FYI, the maximum file size for upload is 50MB, you have to compress H.264 file first if its file size exceeds the limit.
Step 3. Click the Convert button, then AnyConv will start uploading and converting your H.264 file.
Step 4. After conversion, simply download the converted MP4 file to your computer.
No.3: VLC Media Player
As the name implies, VLC is a media player for video audio playback. In addition to this, its popularity is also due to its diverse functions. VLC can also be used as a free video converter to convert H.264 to MP4 format.
Please note that VLC’s convert function can be slower than other dedicated video converters as it is not a professional video conversion tool. However, it’s still a handy tool if you need to quickly convert a file without installing additional software.
Pros
- Free, easy to use, and reliable on cross-platforms (Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, etc.).
- Directly playback the MP4 video after conversion.
- Update frequently to support the latest codec, like AV1 and HEVC.
Cons
- Limited output format support.
- No batch conversion support.
- Unexpected errors occur during video conversion.
- No H.265 video codec option.
- The audio will lose when converting some H.264 (MKV or AVCHD) files to MP4.
How to convert H.264 file to MP4 free with VLC?
Step 1. Take VLC for Windows as an example. Simply free download, install, and launch it on your computer.
Step 2. On the main UI, click the "Media" icon on the top bar menu and choose "Convert / Save".
Step 3. On the pop-up window, switch to "File" and click on the "Add" button to add your H.264 encoded video, and then click on the "Convert / Save" button at the bottom of this window.
Step 4. In the new window, choose MP4 MPEG4 or any other option from the drop-down menu of the "Profile" option.
Step 5. Click on the "Browse" button to choose a destination folder, and then hit the "Start" button to start H.264 to MP4 conversion via VLC.
No.4: HandBrake
HandBrake is a free and open-source video transcoder for converting video from nearly any format to a selection of modern and widely supported codecs, including H.264 to MP4. Built by volunteers, it is updated frequently to support newer file formats and codecs, such as AV1, HEVC, VP9, etc. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
With HandBrake, you can customize the output video by adjusting the video codec, audio codec, frame rate, resolution, and other settings. It also allows you to crop MP4 and resize the video, add subtitles, and apply video filters such as deinterlacing and denoising. All in all, Handbrake is popular among video enthusiasts, as it provides an easy-to-use interface and produces high-quality output.
Pros
- Simple and user-friendly interface.
- Supports a wide range of output formats.
- Various customization options: resolution, FPS, bitrate, etc.
- Supports batch conversion.
Cons
- A steep learning curve for advanced features.
- Doesn’t support DRM-protected videos.
- Performance issues on older systems.
How to convert H.264 to MP4 free on Mac/Windows with HandBrake?
Step 1. Free download HandBrake from its official website, install and launch it on your Mac or Windows PC.
Step 2. On the main UI, simply click "File" to add a single H.264 video, or click on "Folder" to add multiple files.
Step 3. After adding, choose "MP4" from the drop-down menu of the "Format" option.
Step 4. Click on the "Browse" button to choose a destination folder to save the converted file.
Step 5. Click on the "Start Encode" button to start converting H.264 file to MP4 format.
No.5: FFmpeg
FFmpeg is also a free and open-source multimedia framework that allows you to record, convert, and stream audio and video content. It is widely used in various applications including video editing, live streaming, and multimedia players. When using it as an H.264 to MP4 converter, it supports a vast array of codecs, formats, and protocols, including MP4, H.264, AAC, MP3, etc.
However, FFmpeg is quite a complicated tool that requires advanced skills to grasp the command-line method.
Pros
- Supports a wide range of video and audio processing tasks, including converting, compressing, cropping, and merging files.
- High-quality output.
- Advanced options for adjusting the video and audio settings.
- Cross-platform compatibility.
- Owns the ability to add watermarks, subtitles, and audio tracks to video files.
Cons
- A steep learning curve that needs some time to learn.
- Lack of user interface.
- Performance issues on older systems.
How to free convert H.264 file to MP4 format with FFmpeg?
Step 1. Free download and install FFmpeg on your computer.
Step 2. Open FFmpeg and enter the command line to convert H.264 to MP4. Please run the following FFmpeg command:
ffmpeg -i input_file.h264 -c:v copy -c:a aac output_file.mp4
- ffmpeg is the command to start FFmpeg.
- -i input_file.h264 specifies the input file name and its location.
- -c:v copy tells FFmpeg to copy the video codec from the input file without re-encoding it.
- -c:a aac tells FFmpeg to use the AAC audio codec for the output file.
- output_file.mp4 specifies the name and location of the output file.
In conclusion:
The above 5 H.264 to MP4 converters all can help convert your H.264 files to MP4 format. Each one of them has advantages and disadvantages. Some are easy to use; some support nearly all formats; and some have extra features besides video conversion. You can choose the one based on your own needs.
Candice's particularly skilled in writing and sharing video-related contents. Her guides cover from deep-seated video/audio parameters, to media entertainment on different platforms. She also enjoys shooting and processing videos by herself for a more reliable basis of informative info with her articles, which are never at the expense of eliminating an entertaining read.
