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Video Production · head to head

HandBrake vs HitFilm

HandBrake logo

HandBrake

Video Production

Free, open-source tool for converting video to modern codecs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
H

HitFilm

Video Production

Video editor and 3D compositor in one application, now owned by Artlist

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HandBrake not a video editor; lacks timeline editing or effects tools.; HitFilm editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.
  • They diverge on capability: HandBrake covers Wide format conversion, HitFilm covers Composite shots.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HandBrake and HitFilm actually diverge.

Attributes where HandBrake and HitFilm differ
AttributeHandBrakeHitFilm
Pricing modelopen-sourcePer user per month
Platformswindows, mac, linuxWindows, macOS

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Video Production).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in HandBrake

  • Wide format conversion
  • Device presets
  • Batch processing
  • Cross-platform support
  • Filters and subtitle handling
  • Command-line interface

Only in HitFilm

  • Composite shots
  • Particle simulator
  • Camera tracking
  • Keying
  • Text and titling
  • Export presets

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

HandBrake

  • Converting video libraries to smaller, modern formatsnot HitFilm
  • Ripping and re-encoding video for device compatibilitynot HitFilm
  • Batch transcoding for archival or storage savingsnot HitFilm
  • Command-line automated video conversion workflowsnot HitFilm

HitFilm

  • Cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositornot HandBrake
  • Producing a YouTube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscriptionnot HandBrake
  • Learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects toolnot HandBrake
  • Adding tracked 3D elements to live footage in a one-person productionnot HandBrake

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

HandBrake

  • Not a video editor; lacks timeline editing or effects tools.
  • GUI can feel technical for users unfamiliar with codec and bitrate settings.
  • No official cloud or team collaboration features.
  • Support is community-driven with no paid support tier.

HitFilm

  • Editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.
  • The perpetual HitFilm Pro licence was retired after the Artlist acquisition, so long-standing owners who bought outright must subscribe to receive current versions.
  • Effects and add-on packs were historically sold separately, and archived projects can open with missing effects if the current plan does not cover them.
  • Performance falls off sharply on integrated graphics, so a machine that edits comfortably can still be unusable for the particle and 3D work that is the reason to choose HitFilm.
  • Colour management and delivery options are thinner than DaVinci Resolve, so any project with a broadcast or cinema deliverable ends up round-tripping to another application anyway.

Pricing, plan by plan

HandBrake

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full transcoder
    • All presets and filters
    • Community support

HitFilm

Free
  • Free$undefined/month
    • Editing and basic compositing
    • Limited export resolution
    • Limited effects set
  • Creator$undefined/month
    • Expanded effects
    • Higher export resolution
    • Additional export formats
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Full effects set
    • Highest export resolution
    • Advanced compositing and tracking

Which should you pick?

Choose HandBrake if

  • You need wide format conversion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want device presets.
HandBrake review

Choose HitFilm if

  • You need composite shots.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want particle simulator.
HitFilm review

Questions people ask

Is HandBrake or HitFilm better?
Neither clearly leads. HandBrake starts at Free and HitFilm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HandBrake or HitFilm?
HandBrake starts at Free and HitFilm at Free.
Does HandBrake or HitFilm run on more platforms?
HandBrake runs on windows, mac, linux. HitFilm runs on Windows, macOS.
Can I use HandBrake for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HandBrake best used for?
HandBrake is most often used for converting video libraries to smaller, modern formats, ripping and re-encoding video for device compatibility, batch transcoding for archival or storage savings, command-line automated video conversion workflows. Of those, converting video libraries to smaller, modern formats and ripping and re-encoding video for device compatibility are not what HitFilm is typically brought in for.
What can HandBrake do that HitFilm cannot?
HandBrake covers Wide format conversion, Device presets, Batch processing, Cross-platform support. HitFilm covers Composite shots, Particle simulator, Camera tracking, Keying.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HandBrake: Is HandBrake free to use?

Yes, HandBrake is completely free and open source, built and maintained by volunteer developers with no license fees.

Source
HitFilm: Is HitFilm still free?

There is still a free tier with limited effects and export resolution. The perpetual Pro licence is gone; the paid tiers are subscriptions.

HandBrake: What platforms does HandBrake support?

HandBrake runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Source
HitFilm: What hardware does it actually need?

A discrete GPU with adequate video memory. Integrated graphics will run the editor but stall on composite shots, particles and 3D layers.

HandBrake: Where is HandBrake's source code available?

HandBrake's source code is hosted publicly on GitHub for development and contribution.

Source
HitFilm: Does the Artlist acquisition affect the software?

It puts HitFilm inside a stock media subscription business. The licence model changed after the acquisition, and the roadmap now serves that business.

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