--- title: Shutter Encoder canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/shutter-encoder/ category: Video Converter Software points: 94 rank: 1 of 11 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Shutter Encoder Free, open-source converter built on FFmpeg, with ProRes and DNxHR output, a watch folder and a target-file-size setting. 94 points out of 100. #1 of 11 video converters. Vendor: Paul Pacifico. Website: https://www.shutterencoder.com/ - Shutter Encoder is free, with no limits or advertising, and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux [1]. - The source code is on GitHub under GPL-3.0 [6]. - Output codecs include H.265 and AV1, and editing codecs include Apple ProRes and DNxHD/DNxHR [2]. - Hardware acceleration is documented for NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs [3]. - You can set a target file size in megabytes, and a watch folder converts files as they arrive [3][4]. Verdict: Shutter Encoder suits video editors who want a free converter with ProRes, DNxHR, a watch folder, a render queue and a target-size setting [1][2][3][4]. It runs on all three desktop systems and its source is GPL-3.0 [1][6]. The catch: its pages do not describe a command-line interface, and the documentation says its file-size setting cannot guarantee an exact size [3]. Best for: Editors and video makers who want a free converter with professional codecs and a watch folder. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Also runs on | macOS, Linux | 6/6 | Downloads listed for macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Linux (.deb and AppImage) [1]. | | Formats | H.265 (HEVC) output | Yes | 4/4 | Output codecs list: H.264, H.265, H.266, VP8, VP9, AV1 [2]. | | Formats | AV1 output | Yes | 6/6 | AV1 appears in the output codecs list [2]. | | Formats | Editing codecs | Yes | 3/3 | Editing codecs list includes DNxHD, DNxHR and Apple ProRes [2]. | | Formats | HDR kept or tone-mapped | Yes | 4/4 | Documentation says HDR to SDR conversion uses a LUT [3]. It does not mention HDR10 metadata. | | Formats | Audio-only conversion | Yes | 3/3 | Sound conversions list WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, AAC, AC3, Opus and others [2]. | | Formats | Subtitles | Yes | 3/3 | Imports .srt, .vtt or .ass files and can embed closed captions or burn in open captions [2][7]. | | Speed | GPU encoding | NVIDIA NVENC, Intel Quick Sync, AMD AMF/VCN | 12/12 | Docs: hardware acceleration enables GPU encoding, compatible with Nvidia, AMD and Intel GPUs on any OS [3]. Counted by maker. | | Batch and tools | Batch queue | Yes | 5/5 | README lists batch queue processing; the home page describes a render queue [2][6]. | | Batch and tools | Device presets | Yes | 3/3 | Preset packs are offered for Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter [7]. | | Batch and tools | Command line or watch folder | Yes | 5/5 | Documentation describes a watch folder that monitors input folders and converts files [3]. | | Batch and tools | Compress to a set file size | Yes | 4/4 | The File size setting takes a target in megabytes; the encoder attempts to reach it [3]. | | Batch and tools | Trim, crop and rotate | Yes | 3/3 | Home page lists trim and cut and cropping; documentation lists a rotation setting [2][3]. | | Batch and tools | Reads DVD or Blu-ray | Yes | 3/3 | Documentation says the DVD-RIP function recovers unprotected DVDs; the functions list shows DVD and Blu-ray under Burn and Rip [3][5]. | | Price and licence | Free version without a watermark | Yes | 12/12 | Home page calls it completely free software without any limitations or advertising [1]. | | Price and licence | Open source | Yes | 6/6 | GitHub repository shows the GPL-3.0 licence [6]. | | Price and licence | Pay once, keep it | No | 0/6 | Not sold; the product is entirely free [1]. Free products are not counted here by the rule. | | Price and licence | Cheapest full version | $0 | 12/12 | Entirely free, so $0 [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free | Free [1] | $0 | ## Strengths - Free with no limits or advertising, funded by optional donations [1]. - Writes Apple ProRes and DNxHD/DNxHR files, plus H.265 and AV1 [2]. - Documentation covers GPU encoding for NVIDIA, AMD and Intel on any system [3]. - A watch folder monitors input folders and converts new files [3]. - A file-size setting aims for a target in megabytes [3]. ## Limits - The file-size setting attempts the target but cannot guarantee a perfect size [3]. - No command-line interface is described; the nearest feature is entering a direct FFmpeg command inside the app [3]. - GPU encoding is switched off by default because the documentation says CPU encoding has better quality [3]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - Shutter Encoder says it has more than 3.7 million downloads [1]. ## Sources 1. [Shutter Encoder](https://www.shutterencoder.com/), Shutter Encoder, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Shutter Encoder (English home page)](https://www.shutterencoder.com/en/), Shutter Encoder, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Documentation](https://www.shutterencoder.com/documentation/), Shutter Encoder, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [FAQ | Tips](https://www.shutterencoder.com/en/faq-tips/), Shutter Encoder, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [List of functions](https://www.shutterencoder.com/en/functions/), Shutter Encoder, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [paulpacifico/shutter-encoder](https://github.com/paulpacifico/shutter-encoder), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Shutter Encoder documentation (English)](https://www.shutterencoder.com/en/documentation/), Shutter Encoder, accessed 2026-10-08