Permute 4.0.11 — macOS

Permute is a media converter for macOS that turns video, audio, images, and other files from one format into another. I gave it a realistic job: converting a batch of home videos from MOV to MP4 so they'd play on an older TV.

Drag a file, pick a preset, start conversion

• Dragged the source files into the Permute window; it accepted them immediately.
• Chose MP4 from the preset list; the app handled resolution and bitrate without fuss.
• Hit start and watched the progress bar; the conversions ran in parallel.
• Checked the output folder; each file was named correctly and played without issues.
• Merged two short clips into one video using the built-in merge option.

Permute handles the task without getting in the way. Built by a single developer, it uses FFmpeg libraries under LGPLv2.1 and runs on Apple Silicon with macOS 26.

Point Permute to a dedicated output folder

Before you run your first batch, open Permute's preferences. The defaults work, but a couple of adjustments save time later.

• Output folder. Permute sends files to the desktop by default. I point it to a dedicated "Converted" folder on my desktop so originals and results don't mix. You can set this once and forget it.
• File naming. The app appends a counter like "-1" to duplicate names. If you prefer a timestamp or want to keep the original filename unchanged, the naming section in preferences lets you pick a pattern. I use "original name" to avoid confusion.
• Open a preset's details and check that the resolution matches your source material. If you always convert to 1080p, set it once here instead of adjusting each job.

Back up your preferences file if you plan to reinstall — it lives in your user Library folder and saves the handful of tweaks you'll make over time.

Drop entire folders into the Permute window

Permute does a few things quietly that you might not notice until you need them.

• Drag and drop from Finder. Permute accepts files dropped directly into its window, but it also works with folders. Dragging a whole folder in adds every compatible file inside. Saves clicking through subdirectories.
• The right-click menu in Finder. Once Permute is installed, you can right-click any media file in Finder, choose "Convert with Permute," and send it straight to the app. No need to open Permute first.
• Language switching. Permute includes Russian, German, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, French, Czech, Swedish, and several others. If you work in a multilingual office, you can switch the interface from the preferences pane without restarting the app.
• Merge without re-encoding. The merge feature combines clips, but Permute tries to do it without re-encoding when the source files match formats. That keeps the process fast and preserves quality.

Check the container when subtitles don't appear

Most hiccups come from source files that don't match what Permute expects. A few things to check.

• Subtitles not appearing. If you add an SRT subtitle file and the output doesn't show them, the video container might not support embedded subs. Switch the output format to MKV or MOV, both of which handle subtitle tracks reliably. Permute embeds the SRT as a separate track; it won't burn them into the video unless you choose a burn-in preset.
• Audio track disappears. When converting a video with multiple audio languages, the output may only contain the first track. Open the preset settings and look for the audio track selector. Set it to "All tracks" or pick a specific language track by index.
• ISO conversion fails. Permute can convert certain media files to ISO image format, but the source file must be a disc image or a compliant video structure. A plain MP4 won't work. Use a tool like MakeMKV first to rip the disc to a folder structure, then convert that to ISO in Permute.
• Batch stops early. If Permute halts mid-batch, one file in the queue is likely unsupported or corrupted. Remove that file and restart the batch. Permute will skip it and continue with the rest.

None of these are deal-breakers. Once you know where to look, Permute gets out of your way and does the conversion.

• Release notes for version 4.0.11 were not available at the time of writing.

• macOS 26
• Apple Silicon