MP4 to AVI Format Conversion: All You Should Learn

By Daniel Smith Jun 24, 2025 Convert Video

MP4 and AVI are both familiar digital video formats. Comparatively speaking, MP4 has a broader range of applications, and video files in MP4 format are generally smaller and easier to upload and share, while AVI is the opposite. This format is larger but delivers greater clarity and more lossless video quality. So, if you want to edit your video to make it realize the best effect, we recommend you first convert the video format from MP4 to AVI, which is not difficult to do. With the right tools, you can finish the conversion in as many steps as possible. In this article, we will provide you with the three best options, each of which has been paired with an illustrated guide to ensure that you can master their use and export your ideal video work as soon as you open them.

Convert Mp4 To Avi
GUIDE LIST
Part 1. What Are MP4 and AVI
Part 2. How to Convert MP4 to AVI
Part 3. FAQs of Converting MP4 to AVI

Part 1. What Are MP4 and AVI

Before you start converting, you need to briefly examine the two formats, MP4 and AVI, to understand the suitable scenarios and why you need to convert between them.

What Is MP4

Most users are familiar with the MP4 video format, which is used on almost all video websites and applications. Its full name is MPEG-4, and it can store video, audio, image, and subtitle data. The format also allows users to store streaming information in the files and finds a good balance between file quality and size. The above features make it the best choice for downloading, distributing, and uploading videos online.

What Is AVI

AVI, which is less compatible than MP4, requires a player with an AVI decoder to open AVI files. AVI is a video format that can contain and encode video and audio. The AVI format uses lossless compression, so AVI videos tend to be large in size but can achieve high clarity. Many DVD players support this format.

Combining the above, if users are more interested in video quality and aim to output the most precise video, the AVI format is the ideal choice. If users are more interested in the uploading speed of the video and whether it is easy to share but do not have extremely high requirements for the quality of the picture, then the MP4 format is more recommended. You can combine this information and decide whether or not you want to convert MP4 to AVI.

Part 2. How to Convert MP4 to AVI

Once you understand the basics, you're ready to get started. We have prepared three MP4 to AVI converters for you to choose from and will give you their advantages in this section and the steps to use them.

Try ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate

Best For: Numerous features, high compatibility, and ease of use.

The most worthwhile one for you to try is ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate, which is an all-in-one multimedia file editing tool that supports processing file types, including video, audio, pictures, documents, and so on, and it covers almost all popular formats on the market today. In addition to the premier converter, ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate offers a complete set of aftercare tools, providing users with a high degree of freedom to edit videos, enhance them, and even compress their size to their heart's content. Windows and Mac users can download the version that suits their needs on its official website.

• Convert videos, audio, and images between 1000+ digital formats.

• Offer a complete set of video editing features, including a compressor, trimmer, enhancer, etc.

• Create a music video with material like video clips and images.

• Provide a clean interface and be friendly to all users.

If you want to transfer MP4 to AVI with ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate, follow the steps below.

Step 1

Get ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate on your computer. Launch it and go to the Converter tab. Click Add Files to upload your MP4 video.

Add Media File
Step 2

Expand the list under Output Format, and choose AVI.

Profile Menu
Step 3

Select a folder to keep your converted video. Then, choose Convert All.

Convert All

Use FFmpeg to Convert Between AVI and MP4

The first tool is more conventional and straightforward to use. But we also have a very special MP4 format for AVI converters that we would like to recommend to you: FFmpeg. Unlike traditional video editing software, FFmpeg does not have fixed operation buttons. It is a platform that requires users to input code to drive it. If you follow the code template and enter your source file name and the operation you must perform, the platform will automatically run and output the desired results.

Follow the steps below to apply FFmpeg in AVI to MP4 conversion.

Step 1

Download and install FFmpeg on your computer. Press the Win + R button and enter cmd to launch the Command Prompt.

Step 2

Fill the command below.

ffmpeg -i input_filename.avi -c:v copy -c:a copy -y output_filename.mp4

Note: Type the file name of your AVI video into the filename.avi location, and give your output MP4 video a name in the location of filename.mp4.

Step 3

Enter the command into the prompt, and press Enter to start the conversion.

Ffmpeg Command
Pros :
  • There are so many tasks that FFmpeg can accomplish. Just find the corresponding commands to enable it.
  • It's very efficient.
  • There is a lot of room for maneuver. You can customize the section much.
Cons :
  • Not friendly to newbies, especially those with no code knowledge.
  • Editing code is error-prone.

Use VLC Player to Convert MP4 to AVI

If you're a big user of FFmpeg, then it can do almost anything for you. But if you find it too hassle to prepare the code instructions, we have an even simpler tool to recommend: VLC Player, a wholly free and versatile program. It doesn't matter what operating system your computer has. You can get it. Besides being able to play any video, VLC Player can perform some simple format conversion and video editing tasks, including MP4 format to AVI converting.

Use the guide below to apply VLC to convert AVI to MP4.

Step 1

Download this free MP4 to AVI converter on your device and open it.

Step 2

Click Media > Convert/ Save on its main interface.

Convert Save
Step 3

After launching a new window, click + Add to upload your AVI video.

Add Avi
Step 4

Choose Profile > Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4) in the Convert window. Then, choose a folder to keep your converted video under the Destination file. Finally, click Start.

Start Conversion
Pros :
  • 100% free and open-source.
  • Very easy to use.
  • Compatible with almost all file formats.
Cons :
  • Video editing features are very limited.
  • No preview before outputting.

Part 3. FAQs of Converting MP4 to AVI

Is AVI better than MP4?

AVI performs better than MP4 format in terms of video quality, but AVI files are larger than MP4 files.

What are the disadvantages of AVI?

AVI is not very compatible. Generally, only supported players and software on Windows systems can open AVI files. AVI format files are generally larger and less suitable for online sharing.

How to convert MP4 to AVI on Windows?

Windows Media Player has this feature. However, we recommend using a more versatile program like ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate to help you with your videos.

Conclusion

This is the most complete guide to help you convert MP4 to AVI. We briefly introduce the two formats and explain the circumstances under which you must convert between them. Three very useful tools are recommended. All of them offer free services, and you can do everything in three steps. In general, VLC Player is more limited, and FFmpeg is complicated to use, so we recommend trying ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate the most.

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