HandBrake vs VLC Media Player:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, VLC Media Player had more branded searches than HandBrake among video conversion software worldwide. VLC Media Player had about 1.2 million branded searches, while HandBrake had 450,000. VLC Media Player made up 45.5% of all video conversion software searches we track, and HandBrake accounted for 16.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about video conversion software, HandBrake appeared in all five answers and VLC Media Player in three. HandBrake was mentioned before VLC Media Player in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
VLC Media Player, about 3 searches for every 1 for HandBrake
Who does AI mention more?
HandBrake, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
HandBrake, named ahead of VLC Media Player in every answer
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Top video conversion software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, HandBrake appeared in all five answers. VLC Media Player was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. HandBrake was listed before VLC Media Player in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- HandBrake5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
FFmpeg5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Shutter Encoder5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- VLC Media Player3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Compressor0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Adobe Media Encoder0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Permute0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about video conversion software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which video conversion tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best video conversion tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best video conversion tool for video files?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“video conversion software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best video converter”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is HandBrake or VLC Media Player more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for HandBrake and VLC Media Player by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven video conversion software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for VLC Media Player, HandBrake. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | VLC Media Player | Compressor | HandBrake | FFmpeg | Shutter Encoder | Adobe Media Encoder | Permute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.9% | 18.7% | 15.3% | 12.5% | 1.7% | 0.92% | 0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 45.8% | 20.6% | 16.9% | 13.8% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 50.7% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 12.5% | 2% | 0.92% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.5% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 12.9% | 2.1% | 0.95% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 53.8% | 16.1% | 16.1% | 10.8% | 2.2% | 0.97% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.5% | 15.2% | 18.5% | 12.4% | 2.5% | 0.91% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 48.9% | 17.9% | 17.9% | 12% | 2.4% | 0.72% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 50.6% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 12.4% | 2.5% | 0.75% | 0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 45.4% | 20.5% | 16.8% | 13.7% | 2.8% | 0.83% | 0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 47.3% | 17.4% | 17.4% | 14.3% | 2.9% | 0.7% | 0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 47.3% | 17.4% | 17.4% | 14.3% | 2.9% | 0.7% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.5% | 20.5% | 16.8% | 13.7% | 2.8% | 0.68% | <0.01% |
How has the HandBrake and VLC Media Player comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- VLC Media Player was ahead of HandBrake in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HandBrake’s share of searches among video conversion software worldwide moved from 15.3% to 16.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 450K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, VLC Media Player’s share of searches among video conversion software worldwide moved from 50.9% to 45.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.5M to 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for video conversion software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, VLC Media Player lost share of searches among video conversion software worldwide, from 47.3% to 45.5%.
In September 2026, HandBrake lost share of searches among video conversion software worldwide, from 17.4% to 16.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using HandBrake’s and VLC Media Player’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
HandBrake
1 branded search term
- handbrake
VLC Media Player
1 branded search term
- vlc media player
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