Format Factoryfor Windows

Format Factory is a file converter program and then some. Find audio and video conversion tools to speed up your workflow.

Convert files on the fly

This application makes the file conversion process simple and almost fun

Format Factory is a free file conversion program. When you need to send a PDF and you only have a doc, you need a way to switch out your file types fast. This application makes the file conversion process simple and almost fun.

Mix up the formats between your images, ebooks, or documents and rip media from your unprotected DVDs, CDs, and Blu-ray discs with one program.

After you install Format Factory, check out the clean, uncluttered interface. Tabs run along the header and down the left side of the page. To the right lies a large window. It may look like a drag-and-drop window, but it isn’t. You’ll need to dive in-folder to find your files.

Create tasks, change the default language, or view the help guide for a quick lesson on getting started. Make it your own. Tweak the theme color by jumping to the Skin tab across the top header. Swap colors from the default white to pink, green, blue, purple, black, or yellow.

The left side of the main screen breaks down into six different categories. These include video, audio, picture, document, ROM device/DVD/CD/ISO, and utilities. This is the area where you can choose your file formats.

Do you know the file you need? You can zip through the file selection process. Format Factory arrives with preset options. What if you don’t know what you need? That’s the downside of this software. If you are clueless when it comes to what format works for what device, you’ll need to work it out for yourself. This program won’t offer up advice.

Still, the program does divide the various formats so you don’t need to know all the types of files and their meaning with this application. If you know you need an image, you can head to the Picture tab to hunt for the supported file type.

Click on one of the six categories for a list of subcategories. Some categories break down even further to provide specific options for a certain file type. The Audio tab, for example, offers fourteen different kinds of audio files plus two bonus options, the audio joiner and Mix utility. Combine multiple file types into one file for gapless playback.

Are you heavy into video conversions? You will find alternatives for everything from GIF to MP4 to OGG, FLV, MOV, AVI, MUX, and WMV to name a few. If you need a video file converted from one format to another, you can click on the video tab to reveal a grouping of every video file format allowed by Format Factory. Is your video damaged? Don’t junk it, repair video or audio with this software.

Need to rip an unprotected DVD to video so you can play it on your smartphone? With Format Factory, you can. Tap on the “Mobile Device” category for a long list of specific mobile video formats.

Speed up your workflow

Do you handle the same types of files and need to convert from one to another with ease? Save oodles of time with the “Save as Default” feature to speed up your process.

Within each subsection, you can add in a watermark if you want. Even that step is simple. A new window appears with options. Upload a new image, add an image, or add text. Make a mistake? It happens.

The software lacks an undo button, so you’ll have to tap the clear button to remove everything or select each piece at a time to remove the errors. When you are finished, you won’t need to upload your watermark each time. You can save your completed watermark as your go-to default.

Format Factory is amazing when it comes to batch conversions. You don’t need to waste time on clicking around. You’ll choose what you want from the left side to select your format, pick your files, and adjust the export options if you want.

Where can you run this program?

Format Factory is for Windows computers. This free file converter installs to your laptop or desktop.

Is there a better alternative?

Adapter and XnConvert also offer free file conversions. XnConvert handles eighty actions, like filters or watermarks, across 500 different file formats with familiar drag-and-drop capability. Unlike Format Factory, XnConvert and Adapter work with Windows and Mac, so they cover more ground.

If you have a Mac at home and Windows at work, you won’t need to get used to two different programs. Adapter lacks the volume of file conversion types the other services offer, but bards compose poems hailing its simple interface. XnConvert is the closest Format Factory alternative and has the edge on user friendliness.

Wondershare UniConverter offers file conversion for 1000 file types for Windows or iOS. But, its focus is on video files. If you need other file types, like JPG or PDF you would still need to download another converter.

Our take

Format Factory handles file conversions fast. With the wide variety of file formats, the ability to add watermarks in-program, and the “save to default” feature, this is a must have application for file format swappers.

Should I download it?

Yes, you should download Format Factory. This free file converting software is easy to use, has a clean interface, and doesn’t slow down your system. Do be aware of the installer add-ons. They aren’t required to run the program so uncheck the boxes for anything you don’t want included in your install.