Comparisons

5 video and audio tools: choose by recording, conversion, editing or playback

Compare OBS Studio, HandBrake, Audacity, EZGIF and VLC by the output you need.

Updated

Start with the result rather than installing every tool. Recording a screen, converting an existing video, editing speech and creating a GIF are different tasks. This is a workflow comparison, not a speed ranking. Check installation requirements, where files are processed, output formats and limitations. A free website is not automatically suitable for sensitive recordings.

Compare 5 tools
ToolsStandout featurePricing
OBS StudioCombine multiple video and audio sources into scenes, switch layouts, and use them for local recording or supported streaming services.Free
HandBrakeFree open-source local conversion and job queues on Windows, macOS and Linux.Free
AudacityUseful for trimming silence, editing podcasts and reducing steady background noise.Free
EZGIFCreate short explanatory animations from longer videos.Free
VLCPlay files, discs, and streamsFree
01

OBS Studio

Free, open-source software for recording or streaming scenes built from screen, window, game, webcam, and audio sources.
Official project image

Free, open-source software for recording or streaming scenes built from screen, window, game, webcam, and audio sources.

Advantages

  • Combine multiple video and audio sources into scenes, switch layouts, and use them for local recording or supported streaming services.

Pricing

  • Free(Official site · checked Oct 23, 2026)
View detailsOpen official siteNew tab
02

HandBrake

An installable tool to convert your videos to MP4, MKV or WebM and adjust quality and dimensions.
Product preview

An installable tool to convert your videos to MP4, MKV or WebM and adjust quality and dimensions.

Advantages

  • Free open-source local conversion and job queues on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Pricing

  • Free(Official site · checked Oct 23, 2026)
View detailsOpen official siteNew tab
03

Audacity

A free, open-source editor for cutting voice or music, adjusting volume and exporting audio files.
Product preview

A free, open-source editor for cutting voice or music, adjusting volume and exporting audio files.

Advantages

  • Useful for trimming silence, editing podcasts and reducing steady background noise.

Pricing

  • Free(For the application itself. Separate plugins and external services may have different terms. Official site · checked Oct 23, 2026)
View detailsOpen official siteNew tab
04

EZGIF

Convert a video segment to GIF and adjust its dimensions, frame rate and file size.
Product preview

Convert a video segment to GIF and adjust its dimensions, frame rate and file size.

Advantages

  • Create short explanatory animations from longer videos.

Pricing

  • Free(Official site · checked Oct 23, 2026)
View detailsOpen official siteNew tab
05

VLC

Official image showing VLC media player on a desktop
Official project image

VLC is VideoLAN's free, open-source media player for most files, discs, and network streams.

Advantages

  • Play files, discs, and streams
  • Broad support for common media codecs

Pricing

  • Free(Official site · checked Oct 23, 2026)
View detailsOpen official siteNew tab

Choose by task

Use OBS for capture, HandBrake for compatible video output, Audacity for audio editing and EZGIF for a short animated illustration. Reopen the finished file in a player such as VLC. Keep the original, an editable working copy and the distribution file separate; review the individual guides before choosing settings.

Sources

Based on public documentation; not a full functional or security audit.

All guides →