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CLI Open source 144,129 installs/mo

ffmpeg for Mac

Play, record, convert, and stream select audio and video codecs

Quick answer: ffmpeg is a media app for macOS. Install it with brew install ffmpeg. It is distributed under the GPL-3.0-or-later licence. It has 144,129 Homebrew installs in the last 30 days.

What ffmpeg is

ffmpeg is a media app for macOS: play, record, convert, and stream select audio and video codecs.

It is distributed as a Homebrew formula, which builds or pours a binary and puts it on your PATH. It is distributed under the GPL-3.0-or-later licence.

How to install ffmpeg

  1. Open Terminal (press ⌘ + Space and type “Terminal”).
  2. If Homebrew is not installed yet, run the installer below once.
  3. Run brew install ffmpeg.

Homebrew installer, if you need it:

Prefer a graphical installer? Download it from the official site. MacPicks never hosts or mirrors binaries — the Homebrew command always pulls from the vendor's own release.

Alternatives to ffmpeg

Compared within the same category and with a comparable install base, so the list stays useful rather than turning into a popularity chart.

LosslessCutTrims video and audio files losslesslyAppOpen source737/moPermuteConverts and edits video, audio or image filesApp99/moHandBrakeOpen-source video transcoderApp1,721/moShotcutVideo editorAppOpen source525/moKdenliveFree and Open Source Video EditorApp446/moAudacityMulti-track audio editor and recorderAppOpen source3,551/mo

Compare ffmpeg with its alternatives in detail →

Frequently asked questions

How do I install ffmpeg on Mac?

Run brew install ffmpeg in Terminal. This requires Homebrew; if you do not have it, install it first with the command below.

Is ffmpeg open source?

Yes — Homebrew distributes it under the GPL-3.0-or-later licence.

Does ffmpeg run on Apple silicon?

Homebrew publishes this formula for macOS. If upstream does not ship an Apple silicon build, Rosetta 2 handles the Intel binary.

How popular is ffmpeg?

It was installed 144,129 times in the last 30 days according to Homebrew analytics, ranking #6 in this catalogue.

What version of ffmpeg is current?

The latest packaged version is 9.0.2.