VLC is one of the most popular media players in the world. Because it supports nearly every file format ever made, it has become a standard download for users of Mac and Windows and comes pre-installed on most Linux distributions. You will no doubt find it worthy of replacing QuickTime as your media player of choice on your own Mac. But VLC is more than just a media player. It can also rip from DVD video folders and convert the result to MPEG-4 (MP4) format, or nearly any other format you want.

VLC is the classic player that doubles as a converter. I opened the VIDEO_TS folder and used Convert / Save to export to MP4. The setup isn’t elegant, but it’s reliable and 100% free of malware.

Here's how to convert DVD to MP4 on a Mac with VLC:

1. After downloading the software from the VideoLan website, open the DMG file and install it into your applications folder.
   
   Go to the VideoLan website
2. From the menu bar, open the File menu and select the Open Disk option. Next, switch to the Disc tab and press the Open VIDEO_TS / BDMV Folder button. A dialog will open that will let you browse to your DVD drive and select the VIDEO_TS folder.
3. At the bottom of the dialog, you'll see a checkbox marked Streaming/Saving. Select the checkbox and the Settings option will become enabled. Open that.
4. Click on the Save as File button to select where you'd like your converted DVD to go.
5. To start the conversion process, simple click on the OK button and wait for the conversion to finish. You'll then be able to browse to the destination folder and find your video.

As the use of physical media has declined over the years, HandBrake has rebranded itself as more of a general video conversion tool, but this long-time open source product was originally designed for Macs to rip DVD to MP4 files. This means you'll find several DVD-specific features in this program that you might not find in other non-commercial software.

HandBrake is still my go-to free DVD to MP4 converter. Its 2025 build added Apple Silicon optimizations and better subtitle support. I used its presets as a base and then tweaked bitrate and filters for a perfect result. No ads, no limits.

Step-by-step instructions to convert DVD to MP4 on a Mac:

1. You'll find the HandBrake installer on the program's website. After you've downloaded and installed it, launch the program
   
   Go to the HandBrake website
2. Look for the Open Source button on the top left of the screen once the program starts up. Press and select the contents of your DVD drive.
3. Near the top of the screen, you'll see a text field that lists a destination. Next to the text field is a Browse button. Click on that button to select the location you'd like to save your converted file to.
4. Underneath the destination text field is a dropdown list that allows you to select a preset for saving your file. Choose the one that best suits your needs.
5. The lower half of the HandBrake screen has several tabs that will allow you to adjust your output settings. Browse these and make any changes you want to customize your conversion.
6. Back at the top of the screen, you'll see the Start Encode button. Press that button to begin the conversion process.

Without a doubt, the WinX DVD Ripper is very popular. With over 70 million users over the past 12 years, you’ve probably already heard about this software. It has one key purpose: to rip DVD files into a wide variety of popular, viewable formats – like MP4. With this software, you’ll be able to utilize its acceleration technology to quickly convert DVDs and view them on a wide range of devices. The free trial version comes with a five-minute time limit, so if you’re looking to rip a longer DVD, you’ll need to purchase the full version.

I tested WinX DVD Ripper Platinum (v8.22.3, Dec 2024) – it’s still one of the fastest Mac-compatible rippers. The update improved GPU acceleration and subtitle sync. In my tests, it handled scratched concert DVDs without errors and kept excellent audio-video sync.

Convert from VOB to MP4 using WinX DVD Ripper Platinum by using these steps:

1. Download and install the WinX DVD Ripper Platinum software to your Mac. If you want to convert more than five minutes, you’ll need to purchase the full version of the software.
   
   Go to the WinX DVD Ripper Platinum download page
2. Click the Load DVD button and insert your DVD into the drive. You can also click the Load DVD button and select DVD Folder from the tabs and find your VOB file. Click OK.
3. From the Output Profile menu, select MP4 Video and then click Done.
4. Click the blue Run button on the bottom right corner of the interface.

Like HandBrake, this software is specially designed for Macs to rip DVD to MP4. There is a paid version, but the free version is very capable. In addition to ripping DVDs, MacX gives a basic editor for creating effects, resizing the video, and adding subtitles.

The 2025 free edition of MacX DVD Ripper still includes GPU acceleration and basic editing (trimming, cropping, subtitles). It feels tailored for macOS and produces smooth MP4 output on my tests.

To use your Mac to convert DVD to MP4 with MacX DVD Ripper, follow these simple steps:

1. Download the software from the MacX DVD Ripper Free web page. After you have installed it, open it up.
   
   Go to the MacX DVD Ripper website
2. Click on the DVD button to load the DVD that you want to convert.
3. You'll now be presented with a dialog that asks you to choose an output profile. Choose the MP4 preset that matches your target device.
4. Look in the lower part of the screen for the section that shows the destination. Change that location to your own desired output directory.
5. Press the Run button in the lower right corner of the window to start the conversion.

When I tried it, the interface felt instantly familiar but smoother than the older version. VideoProc Converter AI handled both encrypted and homemade DVDs without crashing, and its GPU acceleration made full use of my Mac’s M2 chip. I noticed a real quality boost with the AI enhancement mode – older footage looked sharper and less jittery. The app also includes batch conversion, ready-made format presets, and noise reduction. Overall, it’s an excellent free DVD to MP4 converter tool that feels genuinely next-generation and user-friendly.

How to сonvert a DVD to MP4 on a Mac with VideoProc Converter AI:

1. Download from the VideoProc official site.
   
2. Open the app and click DVD > Disc.
   
3. Choose MP4 (H.264) or MP4 (HEVC) as your output format.
   
4. Select a save location and hit Run.

When I tested Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac, I was surprised by how flexible it felt. I trimmed a few clips, added subtitles, and adjusted color balance before exporting to MP4 – the workflow reminded me of older versions of iMovie, which made it easy to navigate. The 2025 build has improved GPU performance and better compatibility with newer macOS versions, and everything ran smoothly on my Mac. It’s not the fastest converter I tested, but it’s one of the most versatile. For anyone who likes having full control over how the final video looks, Leawo delivers that freedom without being intimidating. It’s a smart alternative if you want more creative flexibility than a basic free dvd to mp4 converter.

How to convert a DVD to MP4 on a Mac with Leawo:

1. Download from the official Leawo site.
   
2. Launch and click Add Blu-ray/DVD > Add from CD-ROM.
   
3. Select MP4 Video as the format.
   
4. Set output quality, then click Convert.