MP4 vs MOV: which is better?
MP4 and MOV are both containers: wrappers around the video and sound. We put the same 1080p video in each to show what changes, and what does not.
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Quick answer: With the same video inside, MP4 and MOV are the same size and the same quality: the 52-second 1080p test video was 14.62 MB in both, and the picture inside was bit-for-bit identical. What differs is support. MP4 plays everywhere; MOV is Apple's format, and iPhone MOVs often hold High Efficiency video that Windows cannot play without an extra extension. Use MP4 to share, MOV only when an Apple workflow asks for it.
Updated
Choose MP4 when
- You share, upload or send the video.
- It has to play on Windows, Android, a TV or in a browser.
- You are unsure: MP4 is the safe default.
Choose MOV when
- You edit in Final Cut Pro or iMovie and stay on Apple devices.
- A professional workflow asks for ProRes, which lives in MOV.
- The file comes from an iPhone and stays on Apple devices.
The same video in each wrapper
| Container | Size | Video inside |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 | 14.62 MB | H.264, identical (MD5 checked) |
| MOV | 14.62 MB | H.264, identical |
| MKV, for comparison | 14.61 MB | H.264, identical |
The 52-second 1080p Sintel trailer (H.264 video, AAC sound), rewrapped without re-encoding on 20 October 2026. Sintel © Blender Foundation, CC BY 3.0.
How it works
- Drop your videoThe file is read on your computer, never uploaded.
- ConvertMany videos convert in seconds with no quality loss; the rest are converted at high quality.
- Download the MP4Plays on Windows, Android, iPhone, Mac and every website.
Why size and quality do not change
The container only describes how the video and sound streams are stored and timed. Quality and size come from the codec inside (such as H.264 or HEVC) and its bitrate. Rewrapping changes neither, which is why the converter above copies ordinary H.264 video straight across: it takes seconds and loses nothing.
When an iPhone MOV will not play
Since 2017, iPhones record in High Efficiency video (HEVC) by default. Windows needs a paid extension for that, and some older TVs and editors cannot decode it. Converting to MP4 here re-encodes HEVC to H.264, which plays everywhere. See MOV won't play on Windows for the details.
Measured, not promised
From our tests on a 2019 Intel MacBook, an Apple M1 and a Windows PC without a graphics card. See all results.
Why your video never leaves your computer
Online video tools upload your file to their servers, process it there, and send it back. That is slow for big videos and costs them money for every minute, so free plans cap your file size or add watermarks, and your video sits on someone else's computer.
Here your own computer does the work, inside this tab. Nothing is uploaded, so there is nothing to cap: no file size limit, no daily limit and no watermark.
Questions
Is MOV higher quality than MP4?
No. With the same codec and bitrate they are identical, as our test shows. A MOV can be higher quality only when it holds a different codec, such as ProRes.
Which is smaller, MP4 or MOV?
Neither: our test video was 14.62 MB in both. Size depends on the codec and bitrate inside.
Should I upload MOV or MP4 to YouTube or Instagram?
Either works; both are accepted and re-encoded by the site. MP4 avoids surprises elsewhere.
Can I convert several files at once?
Yes. Choose or drop several files together. They are converted one after another with the same settings, and you can download each one or all of them in one ZIP.
Is it really free?
Yes. Your computer does the work, so a video costs us nothing to process. No account, no watermark, no limits.
Is my video uploaded?
No. It is processed inside this browser tab and saved straight back to your computer.
Which browsers work?
Recent Chrome, Edge and Safari on a computer. Chrome and Edge are fastest on most machines. Phones work for short videos.
How long does it take?
In Chrome, a one-minute 1080p video took 13–19 seconds on the laptops we tested and about 40 seconds on a computer without a graphics chip. Safari can be slower.
Can I close the tab while it works?
Keep the tab open and in front until it finishes. Browsers slow down background tabs.