If you have a collection of DVDs and Blu-ray discs, you are likely familiar with HandBrake and MakeMKV. They are designed to convert physical video discs into digital videos and are powerful solutions in their space. It makes sense that many people wish to compare them and pick the right tool. This article provides a comparison to help you decide which one to choose in different situations.

Handbrake Vs Makemkv

Part 1: Core Differences between MakeMKV and HandBrake

MakeMKV HandBrake
Video file input No Yes
DVD ripping Yes Yes
Blur-ray disc ripping Yes(lossless copy) Yes(transcode)
H.265 encoding No Yes
Batch processing No Yes
Cross platform Windows XP and later, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Price Free, Blu-ray ripping is not free Free
Presets include No Yes
Advantages Rip DVDs and Blu-ray discs Remove disc copy protection Preserve original audio and subtitle tracks Lightweight and fast Completely free and open source Support a wide range of input formats Offer extensive control and custom settings Include helpful presets Integrate hardware acceleration
Limitations Rip discs to MKV only Output files can be very large Lack video editing features Complex to configure Cannot decrypt video discs Output formats are limited to MP4 and MKV
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Part 2: Which You Should Choose: MakeMKV vs. HandBrake

MakeMKV is a software tool designed to copy DVDs and Blu-ray video discs to MKV video files. It preserves all video, audio, and subtitle tracks, as well as keeps them in their original condition. Besides, it keeps chapter information and metadata.

HandBrake is an open-source video transcoder for converting video formats, converting DVDs into digital videos, and encoding video files for specific devices.

In fact, the integration of MakeMKV and HandBrake is the best option for ripping DVDs and Blu-ray video discs. MakeMKV can decrypt and rip DVDs into lossless MKV video files. Then HandBrake can convert MKV files to other formats.

MakeMKV and HandBrake Tutorial

Step 1 To get started with the MakeMKV and HandBrake tutorial, insert the DVD or Blu-ray disc into your computer.

Makemkv Source

Step 2 Open MakeMKV and select the disc under the Source section.

Step 3 Click the Disc button.

Step 4 Select the desired chapters.

Step 5 Click the Folder button under the Output folder area to set the output folder.

Makemkv Interface

Step 6 Click the Make MKV button to copy the video disc.

Step 7 Next, open HandBrake.

Step 8 Click the Open Source menu and open the MKV file.

Handbrake Interface

Step 9 Click the Browse button to set the destination folder.

Step 10 Go to the Summary tab and select a video format from the Format option.

Handbrake Configure

Step 11 Then, pick a proper preset from the Preset option.

Step 12 Finally, click on the Start Encode button to begin encoding the MKV file.

Part 3: A Great Alternative to HandBrake and MakeMKV

You may wonder if you can rip DVDs with a single program. The answer is yes. Tipard Video Converter Ultimate is an alternative to HandBrake and MakeMKV. It can rip video discs to any video format, so you don't need to consider the settings for HandBrake to replicate MakeMKV.

  • Rip DVDs and Blu-ray discs into digital videos quickly.
  • Batch-process multiple chapters at once.
  • Support a wide range of output formats, like MP4, MKV, AVI, etc.
  • Preview videos before ripping DVDs.
  • Include bonus features such as a video editor.
Tipard Video Converter Ultimate

How to Rip a DVD with an Alternative to HandBrake and MakeMKV

Step 1 Import your disc

Launch the alternative to HandBrake and MakeMKV after installing it on your PC. There is another version for Mac OS X. Insert a video DVD into your PC. Go to the Ripper tab at the top of the window. Click the Load DVD menu, choose Load DVD Disc, and import the disc. When prompted, select the titles you want to rip.

Video Converter Ultimate Load Dvd
Tip

If you hope to edit a title, click the Edit button to open it in the video editor.

Step 2 Set an output format

After videos load, click the Output Format option at the bottom to trigger the format dialog. Head to the Video tab, select a proper video format, and pick a preset. If you want to watch the videos on your phone, go to the Device tab and select your phone model.

Video Converter Ultimate Dvd Ripper Output

Step 3 Rip your DVD

Click the Folder button at the bottom and set an output folder. Finally, click on the Rip All button to start ripping the DVD into digital videos.

Video Converter Ultimate Rip Dvd

Conclusion

This article presented a comparison between HandBrake and MakeMKV. You should learn the core differences between the two tools. More importantly, you can follow our tutorial to copy and convert DVDs to digital video properly. We also recommend a one-stop alternative solution: Tipard Video Converter Ultimate. It can decrypt and rip DVDs into any video format.

All-in-one video toolbox: convert, edit, upscale, enhance, and compress your videos easily

Free Download

100% Clean & Safe

Free Download

100% Clean & Safe

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About the Author

Kenny Kevin

Kenny Kevin

This article was written by Kenny Kevin, a Senior Editor at Tipard Studio specializing in video conversion and editing. After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production, Kenny joined the Tipard team to share his extensive knowledge of the digital landscape. His work focuses on video conversion, editing, remuxing, and re-encoding. Kenny’s technical expertise and hands-on experience make him a reliable guide for users seeking professional video solutions.

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