Convert MP4 to MKV

MKV (Matroska) offers several advantages over MP4 for certain users. It supports virtually any video, audio, or subtitle codec without the licensing restrictions that sometimes affect MP4. It handles multiple audio tracks, subtitles, and chapter markers more elegantly. MKV also offers better support for very high bitrate content, 3D video, and specialized features like lossless audio. If you're creating an archival copy, working with complex multi-track content, or preparing files for home media servers like Plex, MKV often provides a more flexible and feature-rich container for your video.

When done properly, converting from MP4 to MKV doesn't affect quality at all. Our converter uses "direct stream copy" by default, which simply moves the video and audio streams from the MP4 container to MKV without re-encoding them. This means identical quality with no generation loss. The conversion is quick and preserves all the original quality of your source file, just in a more flexible container format. Only if you choose to also change codecs or other settings during conversion would any quality changes occur.

MKV has excellent software compatibility - nearly all computer-based media players like VLC, MPV, and Plex handle it perfectly. Most modern smart TVs also support MKV natively, especially models from 2015 onwards. Game consoles like Xbox and recent PlayStation models play MKV files without issues. The main compatibility gaps are with older hardware players, some set-top boxes, and Apple devices (which have historically had limited MKV support without third-party apps). Our converter includes a compatibility guide to help determine if MKV is suitable for your target devices.

Absolutely - this is one of MKV's main strengths. It excels at handling multiple audio tracks (different languages, commentary tracks, etc.), multiple subtitle tracks with advanced formatting, chapter markers with custom thumbnails, embedded attachments (like fonts for subtitles), and accurate frame timing. Our converter preserves all these elements from your source MP4 if they exist, and even lets you add new features during conversion. For complex media with multiple tracks or special features, MKV provides significantly better organization and playback control.

MKV is excellent for archival purposes. Its open specification ensures long-term accessibility without licensing concerns. It supports virtually any codec, including those optimized for quality rather than size. The container format itself adds minimal overhead, maximizing space efficiency. MKV's comprehensive metadata support lets you include detailed information about the content for future reference. For creating a high-quality, future-proof media library that preserves all aspects of your video content, MKV is one of the best container formats available.