5 Ways to Convert MOV to MP4 Online/Windows/Mac (Catalina Included)

How do I convert MOV files to MP4? --- A question from Quora.

Sometimes you probably meet the same question as above, your MOV videos can't be played on Blackberry, PDA, smartphone or PSP. Some MOV files can't be played on your QuickTime, or there is only the sound without the picture. However, as we all know, MP4 is the most popular video format for phones, tablets, and other devices. Many people are seeking for the answer that how to convert MOV to MP4 so that the QuickTime MOV files can be played anywhere and anytime. In this article, we'll introduce 5 ways to convert MOV files to MP4 online free and on Windows/Mac.

• Part 1. Best MOV to MP4 Video Converter for Windows and Mac
• Part 2. How to Convert MOV to MP4 with VLC
• Part 3. How to Convert MOV to MP4 Free on Desktop
• Part 4. 2 Ways to Convert MOV to MP4 Online
• Part 5. MOV vs MP4

Part 1. Best MOV to MP4 Video Converter for Windows and Mac

Watch Video Tutorial to Convert .MOV to .MP4 on Windows, Similar Steps on Mac

Steps on How to Convert MOV to MP4 on Windows 10 and Mac:

Free download and install the Wondershare QuickTime MOV Converter. It takes you only 4 steps to convert QuickTime to MP4, or convert MP4 to MOV. The article below will give you a step-by-step tutorial on its Windows version. If you are a Mac user, you can download Wondershare MOV converter for Mac and follow the similar steps as below to convert video to MP4 on Mac.

Step 1 Add MOV Files to the Best MOV Converter.

Launch Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate) and then click the Add Files button to add the MOV files you want to convert. Alternatively, you can add these files by simply dragging and dropping. Please note that you can add several files in one go as the converter supports batch conversion here.

Step 2 Edit MOV Videos Before Conversion (Optional).

Select the video you want to edit and hit one of the editing icons under the video thumbnail. This MP4 converter provides you with clipping, cropping, merging, adding subtitles and other functions. After editing the video, you can have an instant preview of your edited video. Just play your talents to make a video masterpiece. Learn more details on how to edit the MOV video >

Step 3 Select Output Format and Compress MOV Videos.

Click the down-arrow icon beside Convert all files to: to enter the output formats list, then select the Video tab to choose MP4 in the left sidebar and select the video resolution from the right section. You're optional to click Create Custom here to set a new format with customized frame rate, bitrate, encoder, resolution, through which you can compress video per your needs. Learn the details to how to compress MOV files by customizing output format settings.

Also this application has an optimized preset for different devices or video editing tools like iMovie or Final Cut Pro. You can click Device tab to choose your device as the output format. Besides, you can enable Merge All Videos before the conversion if you want to merge these videos into one.

Step 4 Start Converting MOV to MP4 in Batch.

Hit the Convert All button when everything is ready and the conversions will be completed automatically. Now all you have to do is to wait and hit the Output icon at the bottom of the main interface to enjoy the videos!

In fact, this MOV video converter for Windows can convert almost all popular multimedia formats with the steps above. Feel free to download the software.

Part 2. How to Convert MOV to MP4 with VLC

Do you wonder "Can VLC convert MOV to MP4"? The answer is yes. VLC Player, known as an open source video player, can not only play videos in different formats but also convert videos between popular formats MP4 to MOV. VLC can meet the basic conversion needs if you don't use conversion features very often.

Steps on how to use VLC MOV to MP4 conversion:

Step 1: You can download and install VLC first, and Open it on your computer.

Step 2: Add MOV file by clicking the Add button or drag and drop. After that, you can click the Convert/Save button to enter the Convert window.

Step 3: Choose the target format Video - H.265 + (MP3) MP4, and you're optional to make the settings. Then, you can browse the target folder to save the converted formats. Finally, click the Start button to convert to MP4 with VLC.

Pros and Cons of the free VLC:

Although VLC player can convert video to MP4 easily, it has its disadvantages too. It may occur some inexplicable errors when you're converting videos. Also, it can't customize your video before conversion. And the supported conversion formats are limited. In view of that, we'll convert another free MP4 converter to you below.

Part 3. How to Convert MOV to MP4 Free on Desktop

Paying for software can be pinching at times and especially when you have basic conversion needs with a few numbers of files. In such situations, you can opt for free software like Wondershare Free Video Converter. This free to use MOV converter installed on your PC or Mac allows converting your files to various formats. The program works at a fast speed (thanks to the latest APEXTRANS technology), features in-program editing functions, and delivers quality output. Free Video Converter also allows downloading YouTube videos for conversion or offline playback.

Steps to convert MOV to MP4 Free using Wondershare Free Video Converter:

Step 1: Launch Free Video Converter and load MOV file(s).

Download, install and open Wondershare software on your PC/Mac. Under the Convert tab on the primary software interface, click Add Files to browse and add desired MOV file for conversion.

Step 2: Select MP4 as output format.

Click drop-down icon beside the Convert all files to option. Select Video > MP4 > the resolution.

Step 3: Convert MOV to MP4 free.

Hit Convert All to start the process of converting video to MP4 format. At the Output option, you can select the destination on your PC where you wish to save the converted file.

Pros and Cons of the free method:

Wondershare Free Video Converter is a good alternative to paid software as it supports an array of useful features. The program works well with Windows as well as Mac system and support conversion between all popular formats. With batch processing, multiple files can be converted at a time with 30 times faster speed. YouTube download and editing of files add to the pros associated with the software.

As compared to professional paid software, it will have a watermark for conversion files. If your files are small and don't have a high request about the conversion speed, it will be a better choice to use online converters.

Part 4. 2 Ways to Convert MOV to MP4 Online

If you don't want to add any extra software, you can use online MOV to MP4 converters instead. Here we have 2 recommended online converters to help you convert file to MP4 free online.

1. Online UniConverter (originally Media.io)

Online UniConverter (originally Media.io) is an online video converter which supports most popular video and audio formats conversion. You can convert MOV to AVI, MP4, WMV, MKV, and other formats within 3 steps. What's more, you can even convert video to audio files such as MP3, WAV, M4A, etc. It has a super fast converting speed among online tools, and without any ads or watermark. It also provides you basic video editing features and allows compressing video size online free. The only disadvantage is that it has a limitation on total file size like most free online tools.

How to Convert MOV to MP4 Online and Free with Online UniConverter (originally Media.io)

Step 1: Open Online UniConverter (originally Media.io) (https://www.media.io/) website from your browser on Windows or Mac.

Step 2: Click the Drag & Drop or Hit to Add File button to select MOV videos you want to convert, and then choose MP4 as the output format from the Convert all files to: or to: > Video tab.

Step 3: Click the CONVERT button to convert MOV to MP4 online and free. After conversion, tap the DOWNLOAD button to download your converted MP4 files or save to Dropbox.

2. Cloudconvert

Cloudconvert is an online program that is free to use and takes care of your conversion needs in a simple manner. The program allows adding MOV files from your PC, Google Drive, Dropbox, through URL or by simply dragging and dropping. Once added, the MOV file is converted to MP4 format and can be downloaded from the program interface. But this converter will take much longer time to load files comparing with Online UniConverter (originally Media.io).

Convert MOV to MP4 Online using Cloudconvert:

Step 1: Launch Cloudconvert on your PC/Mac browser.

Step 2: Click Select Files to browse and add MOV file to be converted.

Step 3: Once the file is added, it will automatically start uploading and convert to MP4 format. After a successful conversion, the file can be downloaded from the link at the program interface.

Pros and Cons of these online MOV converters:

No matter Online UniConverter (originally Media.io) or Cloudconvert, online converters need no download or installation. The conversion process is very simple where you just need to add the desired file and it will get converted in some time. And they are always free to use.

The speed of converting files online is dependent on the availability and Internet connection, and almost all online tools have file size limitation no more than 200MB. What's more, if you are looking for options like batch conversion, fast speed, and editing tools, switch to more advanced software.

Part 5. MOV vs MP4

File Extension	MOV	MP4
Category	Video File	Video File
Description	MOV is a filename extension for the QuickTime multimedia file format. It enables a combination of different types of multimedia data (video, audio and text).	MP4 is a container format used to store video, audio, and subtitles data. Since stores like iTunes uses this container format, and it is used with iPod and PlayStation (PSP). It becomes a popular format.
Associated Programs	QuickTime VLC	Apple QuickTime Player Apple iTunes Windows Media Player
Developed by	Apple Inc	Moving Picture Experts Group
MIME Type	Video	Video
Useful Links	Detailed information on the MOV file format How to Convert QuickTime (MOV) to Windows Media Player	Detailed information on the MP4 file format How to Convert and Burn MP4 to DVD How to Add Subtitles to MP4 Files How to Convert MP4 to iPad (iPad Pro included)