How to Compress Video with VLC: 4 Methods That Actually Work

VLC can compress video — but it takes more steps than you'd expect. Here are 4 methods to reduce file size with VLC, plus when to use a simpler alternative.

February 22, 2026

VLC is the world's most popular free media player, installed on hundreds of millions of computers. What most users don't realize is that VLC can also compress video — it ships with a full transcoding engine capable of re-encoding footage into smaller files. If you want to compress video with VLC, you have four distinct methods at your disposal: changing the video codec, reducing bitrate, downscaling resolution, and switching audio codecs.

This guide walks through each method with precise menu navigation so you know exactly what to click. We also cover where VLC falls short — and when switching to a dedicated compression tool like Compresto saves you significant time.

Method 1: Change the Video Codec (H.264 to H.265)

The single most effective way to compress video with VLC is transcoding from H.264 to H.265 (HEVC). H.265 typically achieves 40-50% smaller file sizes at equivalent visual quality, making it the go-to codec change for compression.

Step-by-step:

Open VLC and go to Media > Convert/Save (or press Ctrl+R on Windows / Cmd+R on Mac)
Click Add and select your video file
Click the Convert/Save button at the bottom
In the Convert dialog, click the wrench icon next to the Profile dropdown
Select the Video codec tab
Check Video to enable video encoding
In the Codec dropdown, select H-265/HEVC
Set Bitrate to around 5000 kbps for 1080p content (leave at 0 for automatic)
Click Save to update your profile
Set a destination file path and click Start

VLC will transcode your video to H.265, often cutting file size nearly in half with minimal visible quality difference.

Important caveat: H.265 requires more CPU to decode. Older devices, smart TVs, and some video players may not support it. If compatibility is a concern, stick with H.264 at a lower bitrate (Method 2 below).

Method 2: Reduce Video Bitrate

Bitrate is the most direct lever for file size control. Lowering bitrate reduces the amount of data stored per second of video — the trade-off is some reduction in visual quality, particularly in fast-moving scenes.

Recommended bitrate targets (H.264):

Resolution	Quality Target	Recommended Bitrate
1080p	High quality	8,000 – 10,000 kbps
1080p	Good quality	5,000 – 8,000 kbps
1080p	Acceptable	3,000 – 5,000 kbps
720p	High quality	4,000 – 6,000 kbps
720p	Good quality	2,500 – 4,000 kbps
480p	High quality	1,500 – 2,500 kbps

Step-by-step:

Go to Media > Convert/Save
Add your video file and click Convert/Save
Click the wrench icon next to Profile
Open the Video codec tab
Check Video and set the Bitrate field to your target (e.g., 5000 for 1080p web content)
Click Save, choose output path, and click Start

For reference, a 10-minute 1080p video at 8,000 kbps video + 192 kbps audio will be roughly 600 MB. At 5,000 kbps, it drops to about 390 MB. At 3,000 kbps, approximately 240 MB.

Method 3: Downscale Resolution

If you're sharing video for web, social media, or email — and the original was shot at 4K or 1080p — downscaling to a lower resolution is one of the most aggressive ways to reduce file size. A 4K video downscaled to 1080p is roughly 4x smaller at the same bitrate.

Step-by-step:

Go to Media > Convert/Save, add your file, click Convert/Save
Click the wrench icon on your selected profile
Open the Video codec tab and check Video
Scroll down to find the Resolution section
Uncheck Keep original video track size (you may need to scroll)
Enter your target width and height:
- 1920×1080 → 1280×720 (halves file size roughly)
- 1920×1080 → 854×480 (reduces to ~25% of original)
- 3840×2160 → 1920×1080 (quarter the pixels)
Save the profile, set output path, click Start

Tip: Set only the width and leave height at 0 — VLC will calculate the correct height to maintain the original aspect ratio automatically.

Method 4: Change Audio Codec and Bitrate

Video gets most of the attention, but audio can account for 5-15% of total file size. Switching from AAC 320kbps to AAC 128kbps, or from uncompressed PCM audio to MP3, can meaningfully reduce file size without affecting the visual experience.

Step-by-step:

Go to Media > Convert/Save, add your file, click Convert/Save
Click the wrench icon on your profile
Open the Audio codec tab
Check Audio to enable audio encoding
Set Codec to MP3 or AAC (mp4a)
Set Bitrate to 128 kbps (good for most content) or 192 kbps (music-heavy content)
Set Channels to 2 (stereo) unless you have a specific need for surround
Save and start the conversion

For speech-heavy content like interviews, podcasts, or screen recordings, 96 kbps AAC is often indistinguishable from higher bitrates.

Combining Methods for Maximum Compression

The four methods above can be stacked. For maximum file size reduction:

Change codec from H.264 → H.265
Set bitrate to 3,000–5,000 kbps for 1080p
Downscale if original is 4K
Set audio to AAC 128 kbps

This combination can reduce a 2GB 4K video to under 300MB while maintaining acceptable quality for web sharing.

Limitations of Compressing Video with VLC

VLC is a capable transcoder, but it has real limitations compared to dedicated compression tools:

No batch processing. VLC handles one file at a time. Converting 20 videos means repeating the entire multi-step workflow 20 times. For batch work, see our comparison of free video compression software like HandBrake or the broader best video compression guide.

No preview of compressed output. You won't know how the compressed video looks until the conversion finishes. If quality is unacceptable, you start over.

Confusing UI for transcoding. VLC's interface is designed primarily for playback. The Convert/Save dialog is buried and the profile/codec settings are genuinely confusing — most users don't realize VLC can compress video at all.

Slow encoding speed. VLC's transcoding doesn't use hardware acceleration (GPU encoding) on most platforms. A video that HandBrake or Compresto compresses in 2 minutes might take 10+ minutes in VLC. See our guide on compressing video with FFmpeg for a command-line approach that can be faster.

No quality presets. VLC gives you raw codec settings with no guidance. Getting the right quality/size balance requires experimentation and technical knowledge.

Limited format output options. VLC outputs primarily to MP4 and some other containers. Format flexibility is restricted compared to dedicated tools.

The VLC Compression Workflow vs. HandBrake

VLC and HandBrake are both free, but they serve different purposes. If you need quick compression without HandBrake's steep learning curve, VLC works. But for regular video compression — especially batch work — HandBrake's purpose-built interface is significantly easier. We cover the full comparison in our HandBrake compression guide.

For users who need to compress videos without any of the complexity, tools designed specifically for compression are worth considering.

A Simpler Alternative for Mac Users: Compresto

If you're on macOS and find VLC's compression workflow frustrating, Compresto is purpose-built for exactly this use case.

What Compresto does differently:

Drag and drop. Select files, drop them on Compresto, done. No menu diving through Media > Convert/Save > wrench icon > codec tabs.
Batch processing. Compress 50 videos at once — Compresto handles the queue automatically. No repeating the workflow file by file.
Hardware acceleration. Uses Apple Silicon and Intel GPU encoding via VideoToolbox and Metal, making compression 5-10x faster than software-only encoding.
Automatic quality optimization. Compresto analyzes each video and applies smart compression settings — you don't need to know what bitrate or codec to use.
Multi-format support. Videos (MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV), images (JPEG, PNG, GIF, HEIC), and PDFs all in one app — useful when you also need to compress images on Mac or handle PDF compression.
Quality comparison preview. See before/after quality side-by-side before saving.

For the kinds of tasks VLC handles awkwardly — batch compression, folder watching, consistent quality across varied input files — Compresto is considerably faster to work with. You can read a detailed comparison in our how to compress video guide.

Download Compresto for free to try it on your own videos.

FAQ: Compressing Video with VLC

Can VLC compress video without re-encoding?

Not in a meaningful sense. To reduce file size, VLC must re-encode the video, which involves transcoding. Some containers support "copy" mode (copying the existing stream without re-encoding) but this won't reduce file size — it only repackages existing data.

Does compressing video in VLC reduce quality?

Yes, to some degree. All lossy compression degrades quality slightly. At high bitrates (8,000+ kbps for 1080p), the difference is usually invisible. At very low bitrates (under 2,000 kbps for 1080p), blocking artifacts become visible. For lossless compression options, see our guide on compressing video without quality loss.

How long does VLC take to compress a video?

Compression time depends on video length, resolution, and your computer's CPU speed. VLC uses software encoding (no GPU acceleration on most systems), so a 10-minute 1080p video might take 5-15 minutes. Dedicated tools with hardware acceleration are typically 5-10x faster.

Can I compress video with VLC on Mac?

Yes — VLC is available for macOS and the Convert/Save feature works identically. Use Media > Convert/Save from the menu bar. However, Mac users often find that native tools like Compresto are faster due to Apple Silicon hardware acceleration.

Does VLC support H.265/HEVC compression?

Yes. In the Video codec tab of the Convert/Save profile editor, you can select H-265/HEVC as the output codec. Note that H.265 files may not play on all devices, especially older hardware.

Summary

Compressing video with VLC is possible using four methods: codec change (H.264→H.265), bitrate reduction, resolution downscaling, and audio optimization. The process works but involves navigating a multi-step interface that wasn't designed for compression workflows. For occasional use, VLC is a capable free option. For regular compression, batch processing, or Mac users wanting speed and simplicity, dedicated tools like Compresto offer a substantially better experience.