Published on May 1, 2025 5 min read

Top 8 DVD Rippers to Convert Discs to MP4 Format

Not long ago, DVDs were the heart of home media. Whether it was your favorite movie, a wedding recording, or a home video, they were all stacked on shelves in shiny cases. But now, let’s be real—most people don’t even own a DVD player anymore. That’s why turning DVDs into MP4 files is one of the most practical things you can do. It keeps your media safe, portable, and easy to play on just about any device. So, if you’ve been thinking about converting your DVD collection, here are eight applications for PC that get the job done without complications.

8 Best DVD to MP4 Converter Applications for PC

HandBrake: The Classic That Just Works

Let’s start with the fan favorite. HandBrake is often the first name that pops up when people talk about DVD conversion. Why? Because it does what it says without fluff. It’s free, open-source, and gets along well with both beginners and pros.

You can convert DVDs to MP4, choose the resolution, adjust frame rates, and even add subtitles. It also supports batch encoding, so you don’t have to sit and wait between conversions. Just queue them up, hit start, and let it do its thing.

WinX DVD Ripper: Fast, Simple, No Nonsense

This one’s a lifesaver if speed matters to you. WinX DVD Ripper takes your DVD and turns it into an MP4 file at lightning speed, all while keeping the video quality in check. It also works with damaged or old DVDs, which is a bonus if your discs are starting to wear out.

Its interface is straightforward. Pop in your DVD, pick MP4 as the output, and you’re good to go. Plus, it has hardware acceleration to move things along quickly.

Freemake Video Converter: Friendly and Feature-Packed

If you want something that feels approachable from the moment you open it, Freemake’s interface is a breath of fresh air. It's colorful and organized and doesn't make you feel like you need to read a manual first.

You can rip DVDs to MP4 and choose presets for different devices—like your phone, tablet, or TV. That means you don't have to stress about settings. Just pick the device you want to watch on and let the app take care of the rest.

MakeMKV (Plus HandBrake Combo)

Now, this one is a little different. MakeMKV doesn’t convert directly to MP4—it creates an MKV file first. But the trick is to use it with HandBrake. First, you extract the raw content with MakeMKV and then run it through HandBrake to get a clean MP4.

Why go through the trouble? Because MakeMKV is great for preserving quality, especially for large DVD collections. If you’re picky about image clarity and want a bit more control, this combo is worth it.

WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro: Smart and Reliable

This one’s built for people who want a balance between speed and customization. WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro has a clean layout and supports over 300 output formats, but for our purpose, MP4 handles it like a champ.

It also gives you the ability to trim, crop, or add effects to your video before converting. So, if your DVD has some unnecessary content or you just want a cleaner version, this tool helps tidy things up.

VLC Media Player: Yes, It Can Convert Too

You probably already have VLC on your computer for watching videos. But did you know it can also convert DVDs to MP4? Yup, it’s hidden in there. It’s not the most advanced converter on this list, but for casual use, it’s more than capable.

The process involves a few steps, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes routine. Great option if you don’t want to download something new.

DVD Shrink (Paired with Another Converter)

This one is more for prep work. DVD Shrink lets you back up your DVD content by creating ISO files or VIDEO_TS folders. After that, you use another tool—like HandBrake or Freemake—to turn that into an MP4.

Why use it, then? Because DVD Shrink is good at bypassing copy protections that might stop other converters in their tracks. If your DVDs won't load elsewhere, give this a shot first.

Any Video Converter (AVC): Multi-Tasker with a Clean Interface

AVC supports everything from DVD to MP4 and a lot more. It's the go-to option if you want to convert DVDs but also want an app that handles a wide variety of formats down the road.

The free version does the job well, although the premium one comes with extra features. What stands out is its ability to keep the output file size reasonable without ruining quality. Handy if you’re saving space on your PC or external drive.

So, Which One Should You Go For?

Honestly, it depends on what matters to you. If you want something free and reliable, HandBrake is a solid start. If you want the fastest route with good quality, WinX DVD Ripper is your best bet. Want user-friendly? Freemake. Need a tag team setup for large libraries? MakeMKV with HandBrake.

Each of these tools has its own charm. Some are ideal for quick tasks, others for perfecting your digital archive. The good news? You don’t need to be tech-savvy to use any of them. Most let you convert your DVD to MP4 with just a few clicks.

And the best part is, once you’re done converting, you can finally store your DVDs away and keep your digital media just a search away—whether you’re on your laptop, tablet, or phone.

Final Words

DVDs aren’t gone, but they’re definitely not the first choice anymore. If you’ve got a collection that matters to you, don’t let it collect dust. With the right application, you can breathe new life into it by converting to MP4. That way, your memories, your favorite films, your recorded moments—they’re all right there, portable and ready when you are.

And you don’t need anything fancy. Just a good converter, a working DVD drive, and a few minutes per disc. Easy.