DEV Community

Cover image for How I built a 100% Client-Side Media Converter using React and FFmpeg WASM
Ariel
Ariel

Posted on

How I built a 100% Client-Side Media Converter using React and FFmpeg WASM

I’ve always been hesitant to use online file converters. Uploading personal videos or sensitive documents to a random server just to change a format felt like a privacy nightmare.

So, I decided to build PrivateUtils.com – a suite of 34 tools that process everything locally in the browser.

The Tech Stack:

Frontend: React + Vite + Tailwind CSS.

The Engine: FFmpeg WASM for media conversion.

Privacy: Web Crypto API for local file encryption.

The Biggest Challenge: Memory
Working with WebAssembly means the browser has to handle the file in RAM. I had to implement strict memory management and staging limits to prevent tabs from crashing on lower-end devices.

Why I built it:
I wanted a "Swiss Army Knife" for files that works even if you're offline. Once the page loads, you can literally turn off your WiFi and it still converts your files.

Check it out here: https://privateutils.com

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the performance or suggestions for more tools!

Top comments (0)