How to Convert MOV to MP4 Without Losing Quality
By Joe Crozier · December 15, 2024
MOV files from your iPhone or Mac can be inconvenient to share. They're large, and many devices struggle to play them. Converting to MP4 solves these problems while maintaining quality—if you use the right approach.
Why Convert MOV to MP4?
MOV is Apple's proprietary video format, optimized for QuickTime. While excellent within Apple's ecosystem, MP4 offers broader advantages:
- Universal compatibility.MP4 works on virtually every device, browser, and media player.
- Smaller file sizes.MP4 typically offers better compression without visible quality loss.
- Web-ready.MP4 is the standard format for web videos, social media, and streaming platforms.
- Better software support.Most video editing applications handle MP4 more reliably than MOV.
Understanding Quality in Video Conversion
When you convert video, you're re-encoding it—decoding the original and encoding it in a new format. Some quality loss is technically inevitable, but with proper settings, it's imperceptible.
Bitrate: The Key Setting
Bitrate determines how much data is used per second of video. Higher bitrate means better quality but larger files.
Low
2 Mbps
Web sharing, email
Medium
5 Mbps
General use
High
10 Mbps
Archiving, quality-critical
Resolution Considerations
Never upscale. If your source video is 1080p, converting to 4K won't improve quality—it will only increase file size. Match or reduce resolution from your source.
Method 1: Browser-Based Conversion
The simplest and most private method. Browser-based converters using WebCodecs process your video locally—your files never leave your device.
Steps:
- 1. Open Convert Videos Free in Chrome, Edge, or Safari
- 2. Drag and drop your MOV file or click to browse
- 3. Select your quality preset (Medium recommended for most uses)
- 4. Click "Start Processing"
- 5. Download your converted MP4
Unlike cloud-based converters that upload your files to remote servers, browser-based tools process everything on your machine. This means complete privacy and no upload/download wait times.
Method 2: Desktop Software
For batch conversions or very large files, desktop applications can be useful:
- HandBrake — Free, open-source, cross-platform. The most popular choice.
- VLC — Primarily a player, but includes conversion features.
- Adobe Media Encoder — Professional tool, part of Creative Cloud.
Recommended Settings by Use Case
| Use Case | Resolution | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| Email or messaging | 720p | 2 Mbps |
| Social media | 1080p | 5 Mbps |
| YouTube | 1080p or 4K | 8–12 Mbps |
| Archiving | Original | 10+ Mbps |
Common Questions
Will I lose quality converting MOV to MP4?
Technically, some quality loss occurs with any re-encoding. Practically, with appropriate settings (matching or slightly exceeding the original bitrate), the difference is invisible to the human eye.
Why is my converted file larger than the original?
This happens when the original MOV uses highly efficient codecs like ProRes or HEVC. Re-encoding to H.264 at high quality settings can result in larger files. Lower the quality preset if file size matters more than maximum quality.
How long does conversion take?
It depends on file size, your device's processing power, and quality settings. A 1-minute 1080p video typically converts in 30 seconds to 2 minutes on modern hardware.
Conclusion
Converting MOV to MP4 is straightforward with the right tools. For most users, browser-based conversion offers the best combination of convenience, quality, and privacy. The Medium quality preset handles the vast majority of use cases well.
Ready to convert? Try Convert Videos Free—no uploads, no registration, completely free.