FFmpeg for Mac? Convert Any Video on Mac (macOS 10.15 Catalina Included)

FFmpeg is a powerful command-line conversion tool for Windows and Linux. It can be used for totally free for any purpose. Since the command is not so user-friendly for regular users. There are graphic user interface (GUI) implements for FFmpeg, like WinFF and AVANTI for Windows. However, I have not found an exact GUI for FFmpeg on Mac. This article will show you 3 ways to convert any videos on Mac OS X.

FFmpeg for Mac Alternative

#1. UniConverter for Mac

This is the highly recommended FFmpeg for Mac alternative as I am concerned. UniConverter not only provides you with a user-friendly interface, but also comes with more features than FFmpeg, including optimized presets for all popular devices, DVD burning, DVD backup, and so on. You can even download video from YouTube. Like FFmpeg, it's the all-in-one tool you need to convert audio and video for macOS. Try FFmpeg for Mac alternative for free.

How to Convert Videos with FFmpeg for Mac Alternative

First of all, you can watch the following video tutorial to get a rough idea of how UniConverter converts videos and then follow the steps to convert video by yourself.

Step 1. Load your video files

After you install and launch iSkysoft program on your Mac computer, please drag and drop the videos to it. Or go to the main menu and then choose "Add Files" to add your video files.

Step 2. Set output format

This program allows you to convert videos to various standard and HD video formats, such as MOV, MP4, M4V, FLV, AVI, VOB, 3GP, MKV, WMV, etc. Just select the right one according to your needs. By the way, you can convert media files to audio as well. If necessary, you are able to custmize the encode settings by going to "File" menu then press "Encode Settings".

Step 3. Ready to convert

After making all setting, please click the "Convert" button to start the conversion. This process will be completed within several seconds.

#2. FFmpegX for Mac

Although the name is FFmpegX, it's not only FFmpeg included, but mpeg2enc (mpeg-2 encoder and multiplexer), mencoder (mpeg-4 encoder) and up to 20 powerful video and audio processing tools. You can access them all in a single application for free.

#3. Use FFmpeg command line tool on Mac

If you are familiar with FFmpeg command line tools, a graphic user interface may be helpless for you. Command line is usually more efficient the GUI. So is there a method to run FFmpeg on Mac? Sure. You can compile FFmpeg with the open source files yourself, using your own compiling options. However, it's too difficult for regular people. Here, I'll show you how to use ffmpeg command line tool on Mac. Since FFmpegX works on Mac and it includes FFmpeg, we can just extract FFmpeg from FFmpegX package. Below is how.

1. Download FFmpegX DMG package online to your Mac.

2. Control-Click the FFmpegX package, and choose "Show Package Contents."

3. In the window that appears, open "Resources."

4. Copy the "ffmpeg" executable to /usr/local/bin.

4. Copy the "ffmpeg" executable to /usr/local/bin.

5. Open the terminal and run ffmpeg to see whether it works.

Tips: If exits any problem, execute these commands and try again:

sudo chown root:wheel /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg

sudo chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/ffmpeg