Top 30 Free Encoding, Conversion & Ripping Tools

Alba Extractor – Alba Extractor is a useful utility for wrapping various mp3 files into one unit for ease of sharing on programs like NapShare etc.

Audacity – Audacity is an open source, cross platform audio editor and is a good solution for creating and editing podcasts.

Avidemux – A free video editor for tasks like cutting and filtering; has support for file types like AVI, DVD etc.

AviSynth – A powerful tool for editing and processing videos.

BonkEnc – A useful application for ripping CDs, encoding and converting audio files to various formats. Users can produce mp3, mp4, FLAC files to name a few.

CD-DA X-Tractor – An open-source CD ripper for 32-bit windows platforms that offers extremely high quality.

CDex – A popular open source digital audio CD extractor.

DivFix – DivFix is a utility for watching partially downloaded DivX movies.

DivXRepair – Based on the VirtualDub model, it cuts off the bad parts and re-assembles the AVI file.

Dr. DivX – The goal of Dr. DivX open source project is to create a portable application with the capability of transcoding many video formats.

DScaler – The DScaler project is an effort to receive top quality videos from Windows computers.

DVD2AVIdg/MPEG2DECdg Decoding Fix – An MPEG decoder suite used for decoding MPEG1 or MPEG2 streams from sources such as DVD VOBs.

DVDx – Popular DVD backup software that converts DVDx movies to high quality DVD movies.

FFmpeg – A complete recording, conversion and streaming solution for audio and video.

GiantDisc – GiantDisc is an open source software package designed to manage thousands of audio tracks.

GNUMP3d – Open source server for streaming mp3s and media.

Gordian Knot – Gordian Knot is an integrated Bit rate calculator package tool for Divx/XviD encoding.

GramoFile – A CD recording utility running on Linux and some other operating systems like UNIX. It enables users to put sounds from gramophone records on CD.

HGRip – A one click solution for converting DVD to XVID files.

JMAC – JMAC is an open source Java implementation library of Monkey’s Audio compression decoder.

LAME – LAME is an MP3 encoder.

Mixere – Mixere is a free, open-source application for mixing audio files. It runs on Windows NT/2000/XP, and supports WAV, AIFF, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC and Mod audio files.

MMConvert – A multimedia format converter useful for converting media files from one format like AVI/WMV to another format.

mpgtx – A command line MPEG audio/video toolbox useful for joining audio and video files which include MP3, MPEG1, MPEG2 etc.

Mp3splt – A terrific utility to split MP3 and Ogg files from anywhere without decoding.

Mp3Wrap – A useful alternative to wrap two or more mp3 files into a single large mp3 without the loss of file names and other information.

Musepack – A high quality audio compression format.

MusicBrainz Tagger – Provides a database to create a comprehensive music information site. It can be accessed via the client or the internet.

NanDub + BRC – NanDub+BRC includes a bitrate calculator and offers users several advantages as their need for opening separate pieces of software is eliminated.

Open Sound World – A scalable programming environment allowing musicians, researchers and sound engineers to process sound.

OptimFROG – OptimFROG is a zipping utility for audio compression programs; used to reduce the size of audio files.

ShrinkTo5 – A cross platform open source DVD copy engine; allows users to create copies.

SmartRipper – A useful utility for extracting DVD VOB files; loaded with nice features for splitting VOB files, angle processing etc.

Taksi – Taksi allows users to take screenshots and record videos of favorite games and 3D-graphics applications.

Virtual VCR – A compact video capture application designed to work with TV tuner and video capture cards.

WavPack – WavPack is a high quality audio compression format and provides lossless compression.

YAAI – One of the best tools to display information about AVI files; enables users to see data like framerate, used codes, author information etc.