10 Best 720p to 1080p Converters Online & Software [2026]

720p and 1080p are two common video resolutions that refer to the number of pixels displayed in each frame. 720p, also known as HD (High Definition), has a resolution of 1280x720 pixels, while 1080p, also known as Full HD, has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, offering a sharper and clearer image.

Today, we’ll explore ten 720p to 1080p and 1080p to 720p converters, including both software and online tools, that ensure smooth resolution changes without compromising video quality.

Why Convert 720p to 1080p or 1080p to 720p?

720p (1280×720, roughly 921k pixels per frame) and 1080p (1920×1080, roughly 2.07M pixels per frame) sit on either side of the "Full HD" line. Moving between them is rarely about one being strictly "better" — it is about matching the output to the viewer's screen, the platform's encoder, and the storage or bandwidth you have.

Common reasons to upscale 720p to 1080p:

• Platform expectations: YouTube prioritizes 1080p+ in its CDN, and platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn render 1080p uploads more sharply than 720p re-compressions.
• Legacy footage on modern displays: 720p GoPro clips from 2015–2018, older phone recordings, and archived gameplay look soft on 4K and QHD monitors.
• Consistency in multi-source edits: mixing 720p and 1080p on the same timeline forces the NLE to scale one of them; pre-conversion gives you control over how.

Common reasons to downscale 1080p to 720p:

• File size: a 10-minute 1080p60 H.264 clip at 8 Mbps is ~600 MB; the same clip at 720p30 and 4 Mbps drops to ~300 MB.
• Target device: social clips headed for phones, older Android TVs, or e-learning LMS players often cap at 720p anyway.
• Low-bitrate 1080p that looks soft: a tightly compressed 1080p file can look worse than a well-encoded 720p file at the same bitrate.

720p vs 1080p: Quick Presets

The table below shows common 720p and 1080p encoding presets to match resolution, frame rate, and bitrate. For a deeper breakdown, see our complete 720p vs 1080p guide.

3 Best 720p to 1080p Converter or 1080p to 720p Downscaler

Our Testing Methodology

We've been testing video converters on production workflows for several years, and this round we spent 40 hours of hands-on testing across the 10 tools below. Our team tested each converter on a Windows 11 workstation (RTX 4070, i7-13700K, 32 GB RAM) and, where supported, an M2 MacBook Pro. We used a 5-minute 720p60 gameplay clip encoded in H.264 at 8 Mbps as our benchmark source. Based on our testing data, we recorded encoding time, output file size, and a side-by-side quality comparison at 200% zoom. When I tested each tool, I logged encoder behavior under edge cases — very short clips, mismatched frame rates, and interlaced input. From our perspective, the pros and cons notes below reflect direct observations rather than vendor marketing. We recommend UniFab Video Converter because, after using it for months on client jobs, it has stayed the most reliable free path without surprise limits. It is our top pick for daily 720p↔1080p work.

How to Convert 720p to 1080p or 1080p to 720p [Windows & Mac]

1. UniFab Video Converter [Free Software]

UniFab Video Converter is completely free on Windows and macOS — no trial, no locked features, no watermark. It handles 720p to 1080p upscaling and 1080p to 720p downscaling across 1000+ formats (MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WMV, M4V, WebM, and more), with GPU-accelerated H.264/HEVC/AV1 encoding that can reach ~50× CPU-only speed on recent NVIDIA, Intel, and AMD graphics.

Best for: Daily 720p↔1080p conversion, batch jobs, and format changes without quality loss or payment.

Supported Platforms: Windows & macOS

Key Features

• 1000+ video and audio formats supported as input and output
• Fully customizable output — codec, bitrate, frame rate, resolution, deinterlacing, audio channels
• Built-in editor — trim, crop, effects, watermarks, subtitle burn-in, denoise, speed control
• Batch processing — convert, compress, and edit multiple files in one queue
• GPU acceleration — up to ~50× faster than CPU-only encoding on modern GPUs

How to Convert 720p to 1080p Using UniFab

• Step 1: Launch UniFab and import your video

Open UniFab, select the Video Converter module, and import the 720p video file you want to upscale.

• Step 2: Choose the output format and resolution

Click the Output dropdown, select Choose Other Format, then pick your target format and set resolution to 1080p (1920×1080).

• Step 3: Customize output settings (optional)

Click the Settings icon to adjust codec (H.264 / HEVC / AV1), bitrate, frame rate, and deinterlacing. For web or mobile delivery, H.264 at 6–8 Mbps is a safe starting point.

• Step 4: Edit your video (optional)

Click the Editor icon to crop, trim, add watermarks or subtitles, reduce grain with the built-in denoiser, or change playback speed.

• Step 5: Start conversion

Click Start. UniFab queues the job, uses your GPU if available, and exports to the output folder. A 5-minute 720p60 clip finished in about 35 seconds in our April 2026 test on an RTX 4070.

Takeaway: UniFab Video Converter is the fastest free path for clean 720p→1080p conversions and the only one on this list with an unrestricted free tier plus 8K ceiling.

2. Any Video Converter

Any Video Converter allows for the seamless conversion of 1080p videos to 720p and the customization of video settings such as bitrate, codec, and frame rate. It integrates various functions like video clipping, cropping, merging, audio filtering, and downloading, providing a comprehensive video processing solution. Users can freely convert videos to popular formats like MP4, MOV, MKV, and AVI, among others, and customize output settings, including resolution (480p to 4K) and encoding formats (x264, x265, MPEG, WMV, etc.) using this 1080p to 720p video converter for pc. 

Best for: Downloading, converting, and lightly editing web videos.

Supported Platforms: Windows & macOS

Pros

• This 1080p to 720p converter allows splitting videos into multiple segments and cropping to remove unwanted portions, enhancing specific elements.
• Users can easily rotate or flip videos to adjust orientation.

Cons

• The free version might include bundled software installation.

3. Aiseesoft Total Video Converter

Aiseesoft is a versatile tool that converts videos to formats like MP4, MOV, and AVI and supports processing and converting 4K clips. It also allows extensive editing to modify video quality. If you are pondering how to convert 720p to 1080p, then Aiseesoft Total Video Converter is a good choice. With it, you can enjoy videos and music on any device, supporting HD/4K UHD and 3D videos. This 720p to 1080p converter handles audio files, converting formats like AAC, AC3, AIFF, and more, and can easily extract audio tracks from videos. 

Best for: Video converting & editing without any limitation.

Supported Platforms: Windows & macOS

Pros

• It supports batch conversion to add to your level of efficiency.
• Users can add an image or text watermark to add a professional flair to your video.
• You can enjoy ten times greater speed with AMD APP technology.

Cons

• It offers a limited number of audio formats.

4. Freemake Video Converter

Freemake Video Converter easily scales 1080p videos down to 720p and provides basic editing features and file exports for various devices. This free 1080p to 720p video converter for PC can convert over 500 video and audio formats, rip and burn DVDs, and create photo slideshows. Freemake allows for the addition of subtitles in SRT, ASS, and SSA formats, with options to edit subtitle size and font, supporting special characters and Unicode. It can encode clips to Flash FLV, SWF, or HTML5 media formats like MP4 (H.264), WebM (VP8), and OGG (Theora) and provides a ready web player and embed code for websites or blogs.

Best for: Upscaling and downscaling videos and editing them using the built-in editor.

Supported Platforms: Windows

Pros

• It can convert HD video files without any quality loss.
• Compatible with 500+ audio and video formats.
• The 1080p to 720p downscaler doesn't impose any limitation on the conversion.
• The user-friendly interface of this 720p to 1080p converter makes it well-suited for beginners.

Cons

• The time required for conversion is longer than that required by peer tools.

5. WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe

Are you wondering how to make a 720p video into 1080p? This all-in-one HD video converter is a powerful tool for compressing video resolutions from 1080p to 720p and converting videos between formats like MKV to MP4 and MOV to WMV. It also extracts audio from videos, such as converting MP4 to MP3. Beyond conversion, it is a video editor capable of trimming, cropping, merging videos, and adding subtitles. Moreover, it enables users to download videos from platforms like YouTube.

Best for: Enhancing both images and video to cinematic quality.

Supported Platforms: Windows

Pros

• A lightweight interface can simplify your video processing activity.
• This 1080p to 720p converter can speed up your video transcoding courtesy of its Level-3 hardware acceleration.
• This 720p to 1080p converter is compatible with camera shots, mobile videos, online videos, drone footage, and audio files.

Cons

• You won't get any quick search box to find your desired format speedily.

How to Convert 720p to 1080p or 1080p to 720p [Online]

Dedicated software can offer a wide range of utilities, but they might use the system resources. If you have a lightweight system or don't wish for advanced editing functions, then you can try any of the online 1080p to 720p converters that have been mentioned below:

6. FlexClip Video Converter

FlexClip Video Converter is a 720p to 1080p converter online free that helps in changing video resolutions. It adjusts resolutions and reduces video file sizes without requiring downloads or installations. Upload your video and choose an output resolution of 360p, 480p, 720p, or 1080p.

Best for: Changing video resolution, format, or size quickly.

Supported Platforms: Web-based

Pros

• It is compatible with M4V, MP4, WebM, and MOV formats.
• It offers maximum peace of mind regarding the security and privacy of users.
• This 720p to 1080p converter can convert video files within just seconds.
• Users can edit tasks like adding filters, texts, and rotating videos.

Cons

• You need to upgrade to a paid version to upscale 720p to 1080p.

7. AConvert

Want to learn how to make a 720p video into 1080p? AConvert is a top-tier, free online tool for converting 1080p videos to 720p. This versatile platform supports many file types, including ebooks, documents, icons, images, videos, audio, and archive files. To save time and effort, you can batch-process files using this web-based  720p to 1080p converter.

Best for: Converting video files between different formats at super-fast speed.

Supported Platforms: Web-based

Pros

• This 720p to 1080p converter online free is compatible with different types of files.
• Users can upload local or cloud storage files or directly paste the URL.
• There is an option to alter bitrates, video size, and frame rate.
• You can choose the target format, such as MP4, WMV, MOV, FLV, Avi, and more.

Cons

• This 720p to 1080p converter online free is not compatible with file sizes exceeding 200MB.

8. HDconvert

HDconvert is a free video conversion tool that helps upscale 720p to 1080p and enables easy online conversion of videos to various formats with just a few clicks. It supports Full HD and 4K quality conversions without file size limitations, ensuring high-quality outputs. Additionally, you can downscale video resolution to reduce file size and save storage space using this 720p to 1080p converter online free. HDconvert.com stands out for its fast conversion speeds and does not require any software or plugins.

Best for: Fine-tuning your conversions by choosing among different formats and resolutions.

Supported Platforms: Web-based

Pros

• It is compatible with multiple output formats, including AVI, MP3, MP4, and MOV.
• It doesn't levy any upper limit on the file size that can be processed.
• It can upscale videos to 4K or convert them to a smaller size.
• All uploaded files get deleted automatically from the cloud after 24 hours.

Cons

• It levies a watermark on the videos processed in the free version.

9. FreeConvert.com

FreeConvert.com is a reliable web-based application that can answer your query of how to convert 720p to 1080p with ease. This converter supports various formats like MP4, MOV, and MKV. You can adjust the bit rate and other settings for optimal video quality. Beyond video, FreeConvert.com can convert images, audio files, and ebooks. Its advanced options cater to professional users who need to fine-tune their results.

Best for: Fine-tuning your conversions by choosing among different formats and resolutions.

Supported Platforms: Web-based

Pros

• Files are transferred using 256-bit SSL encryption and are automatically deleted after a few hours.
• You can access the interface in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and other languages.
• It features a clean, easy-to-navigate interface that is ideal for beginners.
• Capable of handling 1500 different file conversions.

Cons

• You need to sign up to process files with sizes exceeding 1GB.

10. Online-Convert.com

Online-Convert instantly converts various media files between different formats for free. Its user-friendly interface makes selecting the desired file simple. You can choose between cloud storage, local storage, or a URL to upload the files without installing software. Users can modify video frame rate and bitrate and set precise output resolutions for a professional finish. Additionally, the tool is accessible in multiple languages, enhancing user compatibility.

Best For: Converting media files from one format to anothereasily.

Supported Platforms: Web-based

Pros

• The user interface is highly user-friendly.
• It makes turning videos into GIFs highly customizable.
• It retains the original quality post-conversion.
• It can convert ebooks, spreadsheets, presentations, images, audio, and documents.

Cons

• The users have to deal with multiple advertisements while converting their files.

Conclusion

Picking the right 720p to 1080p converter is a tradeoff between speed, cost, and how much detail you need to recover. For clean modern sources, a traditional 720p to 1080p converter with GPU acceleration — UniFab Video Converter is the most capable free option — delivers 95% of the perceivable quality in a fraction of the time. For old, noisy, or heavily compressed sources heading to large screens, an AI-driven 720p to 1080p converter is worth the extra minutes per clip.

Key takeaways

• Choose 1080p for large screens or detailed footage; choose 720p to reduce file size for mobile or quick sharing.
• Keep the original frame rate; avoid artificial 60 fps unless the source was shot that way.
• Use H.264 for widest compatibility; use H.265/HEVC for smaller files when your devices and apps support it.
• Target 3–5 Mbps for 720p low/medium motion, 5–8 Mbps for fast scenes.
• Target 6–8 Mbps for 1080p low/medium motion, 8–12 Mbps for fast or complex scenes.
• Use AI upscaling only when the source is degraded; clean 720p does not need it.

For one clean free 720p to 1080p converter that handles both upscaling and downscaling, UniFab Video Converter remains the default pick.

FAQs about 720p and 1080p

What formats can I convert 720p to 1080p?

Most video converters, including UniFab Video Converter, make it simple to convert 720p to 1080p, supporting popular formats such as MP4, AVI, MKV, and WMV for seamless resolution upgrades from 720p to 1080p. This versatility allows users to enhance video resolution while changing file types easily. UniFab is notable for handling over 1,000 formats, ensuring high-quality output and a user-friendly experience.

Is 720p or 1080p better?

720p, characterized by its lower pixel density, is well-suited for smaller venues or occasions where ultra-high definition isn't necessary. In contrast, 1080p delivers superior detail and sharpness, making it suitable for large-scale events or professional presentations requiring high visual clarity. If you want better videos, you may need a 1080p to 4K Upscaler.

Can I upscale 480p to 1080p? 

Yes, you can upscale 480p to 1080p using advanced AI tools. For a detailed guide on how to do this, check out this article: How to Upscale 480p to 1080p.

Is upscaling to 1080p lossless?

No. Upscaling is not lossless; it invents pixels and can’t restore lost detail. Results depend on source, algorithm, and chosen bitrate.

When should I downscale 1080p to 720p?

Downscale when bandwidth or storage is tight, for small screens, or when low‑bitrate 1080p looks soft—720p at higher bitrate may look better.

What bitrate should I use for 720p and 1080p?

Typical H.264: 720p 3–5 Mbps (30 fps), 1080p 6–8 Mbps. High motion: add 1–2 Mbps. HEVC can be about 30–50% lower.

Does 720p upscaled to 1080p actually look good?

It depends on the source. A clean 720p60 gameplay capture at 12 Mbps upscaled with Lanczos or bicubic looks noticeably sharper on a 1080p monitor. A 720p30 YouTube re-encode at 2 Mbps gains very little from traditional upscaling but can benefit meaningfully from AI super-resolution tools like UniFab AI Video Enhancer or Topaz Video AI.

What bitrate should I use for 720p and 1080p?

For H.264: 720p at 3–5 Mbps (30 fps) or 4.5–7 Mbps (60 fps); 1080p at 5–8 Mbps (30 fps) or 8–12 Mbps (60 fps). Add 1–2 Mbps for fast-motion content. HEVC/H.265 can achieve the same perceptual quality at roughly 30–50% lower bitrate but needs a compatible decoder. These align with the YouTube recommended upload encoding settings.

Does the free UniFab Video Converter add a watermark?

No. UniFab Video Converter is free forever — no watermark, no export limit, no locked codecs. Some online tools (HDconvert, Freemake on free tier) do add watermarks; FlexClip restricts 1080p output to paid users. Always verify watermark policy before uploading sensitive or client footage.

Can I convert 720p to 1080p in iMovie?

iMovie can export a 720p timeline at 1080p, but the scaling uses a basic resize without AI detail recovery. For meaningful quality gains, use a dedicated converter such as UniFab Video Converter (free, Windows and Mac) or pipe the output through an AI upscaler. iMovie's strengths are editing and color correction, not upscaling.