Convert MOV to MP4
Convert iPhone / Mac .MOV files to MP4 (H.264 + AAC) for universal playback - runs in your browser, the file never leaves your computer.
- Free to use
- Nothing uploads
- No account
- No watermark
Drop a video here
or click below to choose a file. Nothing leaves your computer.
Why convert
.MOV is Apple’s QuickTime container. It’s nearly identical to .MP4 internally - both are derived from ISO/IEC 14496 - but the file extension trips up Windows machines, older browsers, web upload forms, and most non-Apple video pipelines that simply don’t recognize .MOV as a valid input.
Newer iPhones also default to HEVC (H.265) inside the MOV container, which is smaller per pixel than H.264 but isn’t universally supported. Re-encoding to H.264 trades a small amount of compression efficiency for the guarantee that anyone can play the result without extra software.
How to convert mov to mp4 in 4 steps
Drop your .MOV file onto the page
Click or drag the .MOV file onto the drop zone. The encoder loads it from your disk into the browser tab.
Keep the default size or pick a smaller one
The 25 MB default works for short clips at 1080p. Pick a larger size for longer source material or 4K, smaller if you're targeting a service with a strict cap.
Click Compress
We re-encode to H.264 + AAC inside an MP4 container. The conversion is quick because most MOV / MP4 files share the same underlying media - we mostly relabel and recompress only what's needed.
Download the MP4
The result plays on Windows, Linux, Android, web upload forms, and basically anywhere - no extra codecs needed.
Common questions
What's the difference between MOV and MP4?
Both are containers. .MOV is Apple’s QuickTime format; .MP4 is the international standard derived from it. They’re often nearly identical inside, just labeled differently. The conversion to MP4 sometimes changes the labeling without re-encoding the underlying video - fast and lossless.
Will I lose quality?
Usually not noticeably. iPhone videos shot in HEVC (H.265) are re-encoded to H.264, which is slightly less efficient but plays everywhere. The difference is invisible at typical viewing sizes.
What about HEVC?
HEVC (H.265) is what newer iPhones record by default. It’s smaller than H.264 at the same quality, but Windows, web uploads, and older players don’t support it everywhere. Converting to H.264 trades some efficiency for universal compatibility.
Does Mac actually need this?
macOS plays both formats fine. Convert to MP4 when you’re sending the file to someone on Windows, uploading to a service that doesn’t accept MOV (some web forms), or want to be safe about future device compatibility.
How private is this?
Your video stays on your computer. The encoding runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded. Full privacy story.
Related tools
encodevideos.com vs Upload-based compressors
| encodevideos.com | Upload-based compressors | |
|---|---|---|
| Where your video goes | Stays on your device - never uploads | Uploaded to a third-party server |
| Account required | No account, no email, no card | Account or email signup typical |
| Watermark | Never | Watermarked output on free tiers |
| File-size cap | Up to 4 GB, limited only by your device's RAM | Hard caps tied to plan tier |
| Privacy | We can't see your video - there's nothing to leak | Provider holds a copy at least temporarily |