Among the more common formats ffmpeg can handle are h.264, HEVC(h.265), mp3, AAC, mpeg-4, wmv3, ProRes, QuickTime, SWF, Speex, FLAC, VP9 and many more. To get a full list in terminal type: ffmpeg-formats
There are multiple GUI implementations of ffmpeg for ease of use. Among the most commonly used WinFF (Windows, Linux), Avanti (Windows) and Miro (cross-platform) are worth taking a look at.
Because ffmpeg allows transcoding on the fly and supports multiple streaming protocols such as rtmp, rtsp, http, ftp, hls, you can use it to stream to services such as twitch.tv or set up your own streaming solution.
You can use both local realtime recordings or another stream as a source, transcode it if necessary, and output it to a different stream.
ffmpeg -i rtmp://server/live/originalStream -c:a copy -c:v libx264 -vpre slow -f flv rtmp://server/live/h264Stream
In addition to having great flexibility over demuxer, decoder, processer, encoder, muxer choice and settings, ffmpeg can crop, stream, merge audio and video from different sources and perform many other tasks.
Although it can get a little confusing, format factory provides a slew of features many of its simple competitors lack, such as video cliping, and cropping, allong with some simple audio mixing and subtitles support.
VLC is most widely known for its video playing, as a matter of fact, most of us have it already installed. This is nice, because it permits minimal software usage, especially if you are only doing a one time conversion.
Requires user to interact with a window once in a while during conversion. Converting stops while the window is active.
Not good for letting a lot of videos to convert over night for it requires the user's attention.
The Freemake Video Converter logo is watermarked on the video and also adds a splash screen to the start and ending of a video. Any IAP will remove the branding at $20 for a one-time fee or a $9 monthly subscription. Look under menu > help to find the IAP options and to purchase if you are so inclined.
Currently there are three in app purchase ( IAP) options. All three offer a choice to subscribe monthly at $9 /mo or a one-time unlimited purchase at $19. All IAPs remove the freemake branding and splash screen at beginning end of outputted videos, but the other features that are unlocked differ.
Remove branding features: faster video conversion; automatic video backup; exclusive dvd menus; black bars removal.
Gold pack features: faster video conversion: black bars removal; video projects auto-save; videos branding removed.
Subtitles pack: add subtitles to movies; change subtitles font; edit subtitles size; remove freemake branding.
So, if you wanted ALL features of the app and opt for single pay rather than the subscription model, you would need to pony up $60.
Look under "help" to find the IAP options and to purchase if you are so inclined.