6 Best Ways Convert MOV to MP4 Without Losing Quality
- Karen Nelson
- July 27, 2023
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MOV files sometimes fail to play on players due to compatibility issues. Converting MOV files to MP4 can resolve this problem, as MP4 is universally supported by most devices and media players. To avoid quality loss during conversion, finding a reliable MOV to MP4 converter is crucial.
This passage presents 3 feasible methods (6 viable options in total), including both desktop converters and online tools that work smoothly to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac and Windows systems. Choose the one that best suits your needs and proceed with the conversion process.
Part 1. Convert MOV to MP4 on Mac/Windows Without Losing Quality
The most efficient way to convert MOV to MP4 losslessly is to use a reliable MOV to MP4 converter: VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate. In the following part, we’ll introduce it to you in detail.
VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate
- Convert MOV to MP4 without quality loss;
- Well-compatible with 1,000+ media formats;
- Output videos in FHD, 4K, or 8K resolution;
- Customize parameters of converted videos;
- 50X Ultra-fast speed with hardware acceleration.
VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate is a top-tier video converter that supports converting media files to over 300 video/audio formats, including converting MOV to MP4 on Mac/Windows. It enables easy batch conversion of MOV files from QuickTime or other platforms to MP4 with just one click. The software offers customizable output settings, like the H.264/H.265 codecs.
In addition, thanks to the Intel and NVIDIA hardware acceleration, VideoSolo delivers 6X faster speedy MOV to MP4 conversion without losing quality.
Here we officially start to guide you on how to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac with VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate. The converting processes are the same on the Windows version.
Step 1. Get the MOV to MP4 Converter
Download, install, and launch VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate. Here we downloaded the Mac version to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac.
Step 2. Add MOV File(s) to the Program
Click the “Add File” button to open the file browser then choose the MOV file you desire to convert to MP4. You can select multiple targets at once for converting MOV to MP4 in batch.
Step 3. Choose MP4 as the Output Format
After you make sure all MOV files are added, click the “Profile” bar to launch the format list and choose MP4 as the output format.
Step 4. Start Converting MOV to MP4
Click the “Convert” button to convert MOV to MP4. And take a short break, the program will change MOV file to MP4 for you.
After converting MOV to MP4, you can open the output file folder and then transfer the converted MP4 files to other devices for flexible playback. Almost all devices, platforms, and media players will accept MP4 files.
Optional: Compress Large MOV Files to MP4
Typically, MOV files are too large to save and play conveniently. Therefore, you can compress the QuickTime movie and convert it to MP4 at the same time with VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate. To compress MOV to MP4:
- Choose “Toolbox”, and open “Video Compressor”.
- Select the MOV file you want to compress and convert.
- Select the output format as MP4, and click “Compress”.
Note: After compressing, the resolution will remain original, but the bitrate will be lower in different levels according to the reduced size.
Part 2. How to Convert MOV to MP4 on Mac/Windows for Free
If you don’t want to pay to convert MOV to MP4 and don’t mind slight quality loss, you can use the open-source free MOV to MP4 converters to change MOV file to MP4.
1. Convert MOV to MP4 via Handbrake
Best for users who want to change MOV file to MP4 with free software.
Supported OS: Windows/Mac/Linux
Handbrake is a free tool for converting video to nearly any format. You can use it to easily convert MOV to MP4 on platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can set the video output resolution, as well as the target device, on which you want to play the output video.
Step1. Free download HandBrake and open it on your computer.
Step2. Simply drag and drop your MOV video into it. Under the “Summary” tab, choose “MP4” from the “Format” list.
Step3. Click the “Browse” option to rename your file with a .mp4 file extension to change MOV file to MP4.
Step4. Select an output folder. Click the “Start Encode” button to convert MOV to MP4.
2. Convert MOV to MP4 Using VLC
Best for people who want to convert MOV to MP4 and play MP4 on one single program.
Supported OS: Windows/Mac/UNIX/Linux/iOS/Android
As an open-source video player, VLC can not only play videos of various formats but also convert MOV to MP4 and other popular formats. It is absolutely free and runs on all platforms: macOS, Windows, UNIX, Linux, iOS, and Android. It also contains no spyware, ads, or any form of user tracking.
Tutorials for converting MOV to MP4 free with VLC Media Player:
Step1. Launch VLC Media Player on your computer and click the “Media” menu to choose the “Convert/Save” option.
Step2. Click the “Add” button to import the MOV file you want to convert.
Step3.Tap on the “Convert/Save” button and choose “Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4)” from the “Profile” menu.
Step4. Click “Save”, and then click “Start” to begin converting MOV to MP4.
Part 3. Convert MOV to MP4 with Online Converters
If you don’t want to install a desktop program for converting MOV to MP4, you may consider using online MOV to MP4 converters. Here we’ve picked up 3 outstanding online MOV to MP4 converting tools. But notice that online converting relies on your network and is usually unstable. And may cause privacy breach.
1. Convert MOV to MP4 Online with Zamzar
Best for people who want to convert small-size MOV to MP4.
Supported OS: Windows/Mac
Zamzar is a versatile online file conversion platform. With over 1,000 supported formats, it offers a user-friendly and efficient solution for you to convert MOV to MP4 online. But notice that the file size is limited to 50MB.
How to convert MOV to MP4 using Zamzar:
Step1. Visit Zamzar with a browser, and click “Add Files” to choose the MOV file that you want to convert.
Step2. Select MP4 as the output format.
Step3. Click “Convert” to start converting MOV to MP4.
2. Change MOV file to MP4 Online via Convertio
Best for converting MOV to MP4 online quickly without installing a program.
Supported OS: Windows/Mac
Convertio is a powerful online MOV to MP4 converter that can help you convert MOV to MP4 for free. You can choose quality, aspect ratio, codec, and other settings, rotate and flip. Convertio is browser-based and works for all platforms. But it only supports converting MOV files no larger than 100MB.
Follow the step-by-step guide to convert MOV to MP4 with Convertio:
Step1. Drag and drop the MOV video that you want to convert into Convertio from your computer.
Step2. Click “Convert” to start the MOV to MP4 conversion.
Step3. Save your converted video to your computer if you are satisfied with it.
3. Use CloudConvert to Convert MOV to MP4 Online
Best for people who want to convert MOV to MP4 in large size online.
Supported OS: Windows/Mac
CloudConvert is an online program that is free to use and supports nearly all audio, video, document, eBook, archive, image, spreadsheet, and presentation formats. It can easily change MOV file to MP4 within your browser. And CloudConvert sets no file size limit, but you can only convert MOV to MP4 25 times within a day.
How to convert MOV to MP4 with CloudConvert:
Step1. Go to the webpage of CloudConver and click the “Select File” button.
Step2. Choose the MOV file you want to convert to MP4.
Step3. Click the “Convert” button to start converting MOV to MP4.
Step4. Click the download button to save the converted MP4 file.
Table Comparison Among 6 Best MOV to MP4 Converters
Now you’ve known much about the 6 best tools to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac/Windows. Here we’ve made a comparison chart to value them and help you decide which one is the best MOV to MP4 converter.
| Product | Batch Conversion | Output Quality | Editing Tool | ID3 Tag Editor | Remove/Add Watermark | Overall Score |
| VideoSolo | √ | Lossless | √ | √ | √ | 4.9 |
| Handbrake | √ | Good | √ | × | × | 4.5 |
| VLC | √ | Good | √ | × | × | 4.5 |
| Zamzar | × | General | × | × | × | 4.3 |
| Convertio | √ | General | × | × | × | 4.4 |
| CloudConvert | × | General | × | × | × | 4.3 |
Extra Tips – MOV to MP4, Which is Better?
MOV and MP4 are both video formats. Normally, you may only know that MOV is the one produced by QuickTime Player, and MP4 is a widely used one. To choose the appropriate one for different needs, you can check the following details about MOV and MP4 formats.
| MOV | MP4 |
File Extension | .mov / .qt | .mp4 |
Video Encoding Formats | MPEG-2 (OS X Lion or later), MPEG-4 Part 2, H.264, H.263, H.261, etc. | H.264, H.265, MPEG-2 Part 2, MPEG-4 ASP, H.263, etc. |
Audio Encoding Formats | AAC, Apple Lossless, MP3, etc. | AAC, MP3, AC-3, etc. |
Supported Systems | macOS, iPadOS, iOS | Almost all systems |
Can Be Played on | QuickTime Player, iTunes, VLC, etc. | Almost any media player |
FAQs about Converting MOV to MP4
Can QuickTime convert MOV to MP4?
NO. In the past, Apple provided QuickTime Pro, the paid version of QuickTime Player, which boasts some basic editing features to improve your video quality. You can use the paid version to convert iMovie to MP4. But Apple is no longer providing QuickTime Pro. QuickTime is now simply a video player and recorder. It cannot change MOV to MP4 for you.
Therefore, if you want to convert MOV to MP4, a reliable video converter like VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate is still a good choice. It can help you convert QuickTime movie to MP4 in one click.
Tip: Some of you may also need to convert MP4 to QuickTime movie. Luckily, VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate can also do it for you. Simply follow the guide in the first part, but add the MP4 file to VideoSolo, and change the output format to MOV.
Can I play my MOV files in Windows?
Yes, you can. You need to make sure that your MOV files are encoded with the right codec. Any problems you encounter may be with the specific codec used to encode your MOV files. In this situation, you can try to download a media player like VLC, which is highly compatible with almost any video file.
How do I convert MOV to MP4 of more than 1 GB?
To convert large-size MOV to MP4, you can try a professional MOV to MP4 converting tool such as VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate. Or you can use an online MOV to MP4 converter that sets no file size limit. CloudConvert is recommended.
How to choose the best MOV to MP4 converter?
If you only need to convert small-size video, using an online converter is a convenient way to convert MOV to MP4, such as Convertio. But if you need to convert large-size videos, online MOV to MP4 converters may cost hours. Moreover, some sites take a long time to upload the videos you want to convert. And the quality of video you get from online converters is never great.
If you pay great attention to output quality and effectiveness, then VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate must be the best tool to convert MOV to MP4. It can convert larger MOV files to MP4 at 50X faster speed without losing video quality. The output quality can be HD, 4K, 5K, and even up to 8K Ultra HD. Just hit the download button to have a try!
