Convert MOV to MP4 Online
Free, private MOV to MP4 converter. Your files never leave your browser. All processing happens locally on your device.
Drag & drop files here
images, PDFs, documents, audio, video, and more
No Server Uploads
FormatShift converts files directly in your browser. Your files never leave your device, so there's nothing to intercept or leak.
Instant Export
Files convert on your machine, so downloads are ready right away, even on slow connections.
High Fidelity
Good encoding keeps your files looking and sounding right, even at smaller sizes.
Built for Privacy
Your files are processed entirely in your browser. They never leave your device.
How to convert MOV to MP4
Drop your MOV file
Drag your file onto the converter above, or click to browse your files. Your files stay on your device.
Automatic conversion
FormatShift converts your file right in your browser using WebAssembly. No server involved, so your data stays completely private.
Download your MP4 file
Once the conversion finishes, click the download button and you are done. The converted file is ready to use.
Why convert MOV to MP4?
MOV files from iPhones and Macs can be difficult to share with people on Windows or Android. Converting to MP4 gives you the widest possible compatibility without a noticeable quality change.
What is a MOV file?
Apple QuickTime Movie: MOV is Apple's video container format, commonly produced by iPhones, iPads, and macOS screen recordings. It's high quality but can be inconvenient to share with people who aren't on Apple devices.
Created by: Apple, introduced with QuickTime in 1991
Used for: iPhone/iPad video, macOS screen recordings, professional video editing
Technical details: QuickTime container. Supports various codecs including H.264, H.265, ProRes. Often contains high-bitrate video for editing purposes.
Compatibility: Natively supported on Apple devices and macOS. Windows requires QuickTime or a compatible player like VLC.
What is a MP4 file?
MPEG-4 Part 14: MP4 is the most widely used video format. Phone recordings, YouTube downloads, streaming services, social media, almost everything uses MP4. It supports video, audio, and subtitles in a single file.
Created by: Moving Picture Experts Group (ISO/IEC), standardized in 2001
Used for: Video streaming, social media, phone recordings, web video, TV shows and movies
Technical details: Container format supporting H.264/H.265 video, AAC audio, and subtitle tracks. Lossy compression provides good quality at manageable file sizes.
Compatibility: Plays on virtually every device, browser, and operating system without extra software.
MOV vs MP4
| Feature | MOV | MP4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Apple QuickTime Movie | MPEG-4 Part 14 |
| Best for | iPhone/iPad video, macOS screen recordings, professional video editing | Video streaming, social media, phone recordings, web video, TV shows and movies |
| Compatibility | Natively supported on Apple devices and macOS. Windows requires QuickTime or a compatible player like VLC. | Plays on virtually every device, browser, and operating system without extra software. |
| Pros | High quality, supports professional codecs like ProRes, Apple native | Universal compatibility, good compression, supports multiple streams |
| Cons | Large file sizes, less compatible on Windows and Linux | Lossy compression means some quality loss, editing requires re-encoding |