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1 March 2024  John Weaver  Senior Program Developer
 

Summary
Discover the top video compression software available today, tailored for specific file types or versatile enough for any video format. Enhance your decision-making process with our expert review.



Table of contents

table iconI. About video compression
table iconII. What are some good video compression software?
video compression software
Video compression software is crucial for working with digital video content, enabling users to reduce file size while maintaining quality for easier uploading, storage, and sharing. With numerous options available, it can be challenging to determine the best tool for your requirements. This article reviews top recommended video compression software.

I. About video compression

Video compression reduces the size of digital video for storage, transmission, and playback. Common standards include H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and AVCHD.
compress video
Video compression reduces the number of bits needed to store a video file without sacrificing image quality.
Video compression is a complex process that can be broken down into three main stages: video encoding, video decoding, and video rendering.
video encode decode
  • Video encoding is the process of converting video into a compressed format by breaking it down into frames and encoding each frame.
  • Video decoding is the process of recovering video frames from a compressed format by decoding it back to an uncompressed format.
  • Video presentation is the process of displaying a video on the screen by rendering the encoded frames.
Video compression can reduce file size by up to 50%, but it can also affect the quality of the resulting video. Lossy compression reduces resolution while maintaining quality, lossless compression creates lower-quality versions without reducing resolution, and adaptive compression adjusts based on video type.
After understanding the relevant knowledge of video compression, the following will introduce several easy-to-use video compression software.

II. What are some good video compression software?

1. Renee Video Editor software

Renee Video Editor is a versatile video editing software that supports mutual conversion between various video formats, such as WMV, AVI, MP4, M4A, MOV, MKV, and more. It also allows for saving files in formats compatible with different terminal devices. With a range of editing tools, users can merge videos, batch edit, crop images, add subtitles, watermarks, special effects, filters, background music, convert videos to GIFs, and play multiple videos simultaneously on the same screen. The software features a user-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and professionals in video editing.
Renee Video Editor – Multi-function Video Editing SoftwareRenee Video Editor professional video edit tools

Separate videos with different parametersUsers can separate videos into equal clips by time, size and self-set parameter.

Cut Videos & AudiosUsers are free to cut videos and audios clips by setting start and end time.

Multiple Edit ToolsMerge, crop, rotate, cut and transform video easily. Change and add background music, subtitles and watermark to video.

Format ConversionSupport to convert videos and audios into different formats.

Separate videosSeparate videos into equal clips by time, size and self-set parameter.

Cut Videos & AudiosCut videos and audios clips by setting start and end time.

Format ConversionConvert videos and audios into different formats.

Free TrialFree TrialDownload

3000 users have downloaded and used Renee Video Editor!

How to compress video with Renee Video Editor software?
Compressing video with Renee Video Editor software is very simple, the specific operation process is as follows:
Step 1: Download, install and open the Renee Video Editor software, and select the (Video Compression) function in the function menu bar on the home page.
video compression online service settings
Renee Video Editor Software home page function description:
cropping: Crop the size of the video frame

merge: Merge multiple video/audio files into one complete file

Rotation: Rotate the video 90°/180°/270° clockwise, counterclockwise, or turn the video upside down or mirror.

Soundtrack: Adjust volume, select audio tracks, score videos or delete original audio.

segmentation: Divide the movie into multiple small clips according to duration, number of segments or file size.

Watermark: Add text, pictures, videos or GIF pictures to the video in the form of watermark.

Split movie frames: One video or multiple video clips can be spliced into one video screen.

Video enhancements: Improve video quality.

Video Compression: Compress movie size.

GIFs Make: Make videos or pictures into GIF files.

Subtitles/Text: Add subtitles/text to videos.

Filter/Speed: Adjust brightness, contrast, saturation and add a variety of special effects; video speed adjustment supports 1/10-4 times speed adjustment.

Advanced editing: Edit video, crop video, add watermark, subtitles, filter effects and soundtrack.

Easy clip: Quickly cut video clips.

Batch clipping: Batch clip video/audio.

Step 2: Next, click the (+) icon to import the video to be compressed into the software (or directly drag and drop it into the software).
video compression
Step 3: Go to the video compression editing interface, adjust parameters like file size, format, resolution, quality, and frame rate. Preview the compressed video, save the file location, and click compress to execute the command quickly.
video compression online service settings

2. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is a powerful tool compatible with all Adobe products, offering excellent video compression functions. It supports various file formats, is available for Mac and Windows, and has a trial version.
premiere is the best video editor
Features:
  • Import and export any video file format
  • 7 days free trial
  • Compatible with Windows and Mac
  • Rich resource library
  • Works in sync with Adobe products for fast data processing even with high-quality video files
Steps to compress video:
Step 1: In Premiere Pro, click File > Export > Media. The Export Settings window should appear. In the window, you can make export settings to compress the video file size in Premiere Pro.
Step 2: Adjust export settings to reduce video size in Premiere Pro.
Opt for H.264 codec to balance file size and quality, suitable for Premiere Pro exports. Use VBR, 2 pass for bitrate setting to compress video efficiently without quality loss; this may increase export time compared to default 1 pass VBR or faster yet lower quality CBR. To further reduce file size, lower the bitrate by adjusting the target bitrate slider in the export settings and monitor the estimated file size. For significant size reduction, decrease video resolution or change frame size in Sequence Settings by modifying Width and Height under Video and Video Preview. Cropping can remove unwanted frames but has minimal impact on file size.
Step 3: Export compressed video files from Premiere Pro.
Click Export when ready. A smaller video file will be created. To upload to social media, go to the “Publish” tab, select the platform (e.g. YouTube), add a tag and description if needed, then click Export. The compressed video will be uploaded from Adobe Premiere Pro to various social media platforms.

3. Handbrake

Handbrake software
Handbrake is a free video compression software compatible with both Mac and PC, suitable for beginners and advanced users. It allows for output optimization and more.
Features:

  • Convert video to almost any format
  • free and open source
  • Multi-platform video compression tool
  • Built-in device presets
  • Support input and output sources
  • Live still and video preview
Steps to compress video:
1. Download and install HandBrake from http://handbrake.com/.
2. Open the HandBrake app after installation.
3. Click File under Source Selection on the left.
4. Select the file to compress and click Open.
5. Click Browse to select a location to save the compressed video.
6. Enter a name for the video, give it something that will allow you to easily distinguish the compressed video from the original, i.e. “Vidello – Compressed- H264.mp4“, and click Save.
7. Under Output settings, choose MP4 for Container.
8. Click the Video tab and select H.264 (x264) for Video Codec.
9. Select a preset from the Presets drawer. We recommend you choose Fast1030p 30 for high quality.
10. Select the frame rate, which depends on your source video, which is NTSC (29.97fps), then make it 30fps by selecting 30. Also check Constant Frame Rate to ensure better compatibility.
11. Enter an average bitrate (kbps) between 5,000-10,000 for the video (the higher the bitrate, the better the video quality, but the longer the upload and download time).
12. Click on the picture where we can change the video frame size or resolution.
13. Change Anamorphic to None and Modulus to 16. And check Keep Aspect Ratio, use the down arrow on Width to change from 1920 (Full HD) down to 1280.
14. Select the Audio tab and choose a sample rate of 48. Select Stereo for the audio mix. Choose 320 for your audio bitrate.
15. Click the Start Encode button and wait for the video compression to complete. Handbrake will notify you when it is complete.
Video compression software reduces file size, improves quality, and saves time and money. Choose the best software from the list above.