What is MOV?
A plain-English definition, and the tools that work with it.
MOV is Apple's QuickTime video format, the default for videos recorded on iPhones and Macs. It's high quality and works natively in Apple's ecosystem, but some Windows PCs, apps and platforms can't play it, which is why MOV is often converted to MP4.
- MOV is what iPhones and Macs record by default, often using the HEVC (H.265) codec.
- It can trip up Windows and some editors/platforms, converting to MP4 (H.264) fixes playback almost everywhere.
- MOV and MP4 are similar containers. The compatibility difference is why people convert.
Tools for MOV
Free, private and in your browser. No sign-up.
MOV to MP4
Convert MOV (QuickTime) to MP4 in your browser, a universally compatible H.264/AAC file that plays and uploads everywhere. Real FFmpeg transcoding, in-page preview, one-click download. Nothing is uploaded.
Video Converter
Convert video between MP4, WebM, MOV, AVI, MKV and GIF in your browser with FFmpeg. Pick a target format, tune MP4 quality, preview the result and download. Nothing is uploaded.
Video Compressor
Compress video in your browser with FFmpeg, shrink MP4, MOV, WebM and MKV files with a simple quality slider, see the exact bytes and percentage saved next to a live preview, then download. Nothing is uploaded.
Extract Audio from Video
Pull the audio track out of any video and save it as MP3, WAV, AAC, M4A or OGG, right in your browser. Drop an MP4, MOV or WEBM, pick a format, preview and download. Nothing is uploaded.
MOV problems we solve
Hit one of these? Here's the fix.
Frequently asked questions
Related terms
- MP4MP4 is the most widely supported video format, a container that holds video and audio together. Because virtually every device, editor, browser and platform plays MP4, it's the safe default for sharing, uploading and playing video anywhere.
- CodecA codec is the method used to compress and decompress audio or video: it's the 'how' inside a file. H.264, H.265 (HEVC) and AV1 are common video codecs. A file's container (MP4, MOV) is separate from its codec, which is why two MP4s can behave differently.
Keep exploring
Related tools
Problems we solve
Definitions
From the blog
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Common tasks
Try MOV to MP4
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