Contents

A Practical Review and Comparison of VLC Media Player MKV to MP4

September 23, 2026Jenny Ryan
Convert Video

When you have an MKV file and you want to run it on a device that only supports the MP4 format, one of the first names that may pop up besides VLC Media Player is a free, user-friendly, and easy-to-access media player program that many people already have on their computers. Yet, is converting through VLC Media Player from MKV to MP4 actually this simple?

Our objective in this article is to present to you the step-by-step procedure for converting video files from MKV to MP4 through VLC without going into a technical level. We will also explain what kind of results you may get while converting your video files. On top of that, we will compare the performance between VLC and Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate and see which one could be a better fit, based on your needs.

VLC Media Player MKV To MP4

How We Test

To ensure a fair comparison, we tested both VLC Media Player and Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate using the same MKV and similar settings. We assessed conversion speed, output quality, file size, and ease of use of the tools. Also, after conversion, we examined MP4 files to make sure that both video and audio play correctly.

This would allow us to find out which tool is more suitable for regular MKV to MP4 conversions.

Part 1. Convert MKV to MP4 with VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is essentially more than a video player. It is a complete media player. A totally free and open-source application that also contains the option of performing conversions. This means that through it you can even convert MKV to MP4 without having to search for another software tool. This media player recognizes a large number of video formats and only gives you basic capabilities for editing the final video output.

You should follow these steps to convert MKV to MP4 in VLC:

Step 1.
Start VLC Media Player and click on the Media menu > Convert/Save. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcuts in the Windows version of the player by pressing Ctrl + R.
Click Convert Or Save

Then, in the Open Media box, click Add to locate and select the MKV file you wish to convert.

Add The MKV File
Step 2.
Right-click the file name in the list, then choose Convert/Save from the menu.
Step 3.
Click on Profile to choose, from the available options, a profile compatible with MP4. A standard MP4 output, usually a profile using H.264 video, would serve well.
Select H264 Output
Step 4.
Click Browse under the output box to select a destination folder for the video. Make sure you have chosen a folder for storing your converted video. Remember to have set the saving option to the .mp4 extension before saving the file.
Choose MP4 Extension
Step 5.
Hit Start to begin the conversion process. VLC media player software will do the job and save your MP4 video in the folder that you have indicated. Check the video you have converted later to make sure the playback for both the audio and the video is working properly.
Hit To Start Conversion

Part 2. A More Flexible Way to Convert MKV to MP4 with Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate

Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate, tailored entirely for video conversion purposes, gives users greater control over the process compared to VLC. It features extensive format support covering both video and audio with 1,000+ formats, and it also offers tools for video editing and enhancement, which are great additional features that make this converter a more complete tool for dealing with MKV files.

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  • Convert MKV to MP4 and other formats too!
  • Let the software do the work for all videos you need to convert at once.
  • Use the NVIDIA or AMD hardware you have available for quicker conversion.
  • Change resolution and some other settings before exporting the video.
  • Make simple edits like trim, crop, and rotate to get the best look without going to another program.
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How to Convert MKV to MP4 with Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate

Step 1.
Launch Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate. Locate and click the Add Files or + button, and use it to upload your MKV file.
Click Add Files
Step 2.
Click the Output Format drop-down list and change the format to MP4. Select your preferred resolution or preset if necessary.
Pick MP4 Format
Step 3.
If you wish to modify the video, such as trimming, cropping, rotating, or enhancing it visually after import, click on Edit.
Click The Edit
Step 4.
Select the destination folder where you'd like your video output folder to be, at the bottom of the UI. Hit Convert All to trigger the conversion. As soon as the conversion is complete, go to the output folder, and you will see your new MP4 file there.
Convert All Video

Part 3. Comparison of The 2 Methods and How to Choose

Both methods can convert MKV to MP4, but they differ in features, convenience, and overall flexibility.

VLC Media Player Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate
Price Free Free trial; paid version available
Ease of use Simple More streamlined
Format support Wide range 1,000+ formats
Batch conversion Limited Yes
Output controls Basic More options
Editing tools Basic Built-in editing tools
Hardware acceleration Limited Supported

Which One Should You Choose?

Go with VLC if you only convert a few videos at a time and want a totally free way to do it without dedicating a whole space on your hard drive to something you'll rarely use.

If you convert videos regularly, have several files you need to convert at the same time, or like the ability to tweak how your output files look, Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate is your best batch video converter.

Summing up, VLC gets you through the easy stuff, and Aiseesoft gives you a full package of conversion features.

Part 4. FAQs about VLC Media Player MKV to MP4

Do you have to get rid of the original MKV after converting it?

You should probably check if MP4 works well on the device or platform you originally intended to play the content on. Only then will you be able to know for sure whether you need to keep the original MKV.

Is it possible to pause the conversion of MKV to MP4 on VLC and continue it after the pause?

No, it is impossible to pause an ongoing conversion of files in a computer program like VLC. You may have to resume the process from the start if you interrupt it.

Why does VLC complete the conversion, but the MP4 file is empty?

Such behavior might occur if something was selected, for example, the wrong profiles, the wrong codec, or different output settings. If you try different settings that support MP4, you should be able to fix this issue.

Conclusion

Both VLC and Aiseesoft are capable of converting MKV to MP4. If you want a free and straightforward tool, then VLC is an excellent choice. Yet, if your focus is on additional features and greater control, Aiseesoft would be the best solution for you. If you are just interested in finding a fast, workable method to convert your MKV files to MP4 files, then converting MKV to MP4 with VLC is definitely a very suitable choice.

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