MOV vs. MP4: Check the Differences Between the Two Video Formats

MOV vs. MP4, what do you think is the best video format you can use on your device? Well, before discovering the best format to use, let us first describe each format. After that, you can already get an idea of what is the perfect video file format you must have. In addition to that, this post will teach you how to turn your MOV file into MP4 format smoothly and successfully. So, if you want to learn everything about the discussion, it is best to read all the content from this post from beginning to end.

Part 1. What are MOV and MP4

What is MOV?

MOV is among the containers that Apple developed. It can store various data, such as video, audio, text, and more. It is also both lossy and lossless in compression. With that, you can balance the quality and the file size of the file. Plus, it is capable of dealing with various video and audio codecs, which makes it suitable for various types of content. Thus, the MOV format is among the most reliable and versatile formats for playing and storing video content.

What is MP4 Format?

MP4 is another container that can deal with various data, such as video, audio, text, subtitles, and more. It is also the most supported format that you can play on various online and offline platforms. The good thing here is that it can offer an excellent video quality that can lead to a satisfying watching experience. Additionally, it can offer a smaller file size compared with other formats. With that, it is perfect for archiving and storing different data, making it more reliable.

Part 2. Differences Between MOV and MP4

If you want to see the difference between the MOV and MP4 format, then read this section. You will get to know what format to choose based on various measures and aspects.

Compatibility

When it comes to compatibility, we recommend using the MP4 format rather than MOV. This is because MOV can only be played on various platforms, especially on QuickTime. On the other hand, MP4 is supported by almost all media players, such as VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player, GOMPlayer, and more. So, if you are worrying about encountering any compatibility issues, then use the MP4 format to solve the problem.

Video Quality

In terms of offering great video quality, the MOV format is the best. With its lossless compression, you can preserve the original quality of the video. But you must take note that it will also give a larger file size. MP4 can also offer good quality but not as great as MOV since it has a lossy compression algorithm, which means some of the quality may be degraded.

Video Editing

In terms of video editing, then there is no doubt that MOV format is the best format to choose. It is because you can edit smoothly using the format. It lets you enhance the video without facing any limitations.

Video Streaming

If your focus is video streaming, then MP4 is the best format to use. As we have mentioned, MP4 is playable on almost all platforms. So, if you want to stream videos online, then it is suggested to use MP4 rather than MOV file format.

File Size

If you are going to compare the file size of the formats, then we can tell that MOV has a larger file size, while MP4 contains a smaller file size. If the size of the file doesn't matter, then you can choose both formats. However, if you are searching for a video format that is ideal for storing content, then MP4 is perfect.

Compression Algorithm

MOV format can support both lossy and lossless compression. It is perfect if you want to get excellent video quality while maintaining the file size of the content. When it comes to MP4, it is a lossy compression. It means that when saving and dealing with the file, it will discard some of the details which may affect the video quality.

Which is Better?

If you want to know which is better, MOV or MP4, then choosing the best video format depends on your needs. If you want to edit your video and want to play them on QuickTime Player, then MOV is the ideal format. On the other hand, if you are looking for a format that is playable on almost all video players or media players, choose MP4. It is an ideal format for video sharing, streaming, distribution, and more.

How to Choose the Best Format?

- Always think about the quality. It is recommended, especially if you want to obtain an excellent watching experience.
- Consider the file size. If you want to store numerous files, it is better to choose a format with a lossy compression algorithm.
- Use a format that can be played with almost all platforms. With that, you won’t encounter any playback errors.
- Always know your main objective. Choosing the best format will depend on the task you need to perform, such as video sharing, streaming, editing, etc.

Part 3. Convert MOV to MP4 on Vidmore Video Converter

If you want to convert your MOV file to MP4 format, use Vidmore Video Converter. Converting your video files is simple when using this program. It also has a batch conversion feature. It is an ideal feature if you have more than two MOV files that you want to convert. What's more, you can even choose your desired video quality during the conversion process. You can get excellent quality up to 4K, making it an amazing video converter.

Features

- Convert MOV to MP4 and 200+ digital formats.
- It can offer an ultra-fast conversion process.
- The converter can provide a batch conversion feature.
- Video Editing features are available.

To learn how to convert your MOV files, see the instructions below.

Step 1. Download Vidmore Video Converter on your computer. After launching it, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2. Click Converter and add the MOV file by hitting the Add Files button from the interface.

Step 3. Choose the MP4 format from the Output Formats option. You can also pick your preferred quality up to 4K.

Step 4. Once done, you can finally convert the MOV by clicking the Convert All button.

Vidmore Video Converter is among the reliable converters you can operate to get the best result you need. With its smooth and fast conversion process, we can tell that achieving your goal is a simple task. So, use this software and obtain all the results you need.

Part 4. Turn MOV to MP4 on Freemake Video Converter

You can also operate the Freemake Video Converter to transcode your MOV files to MP4. It has a simple procedure and user interface, making it a useful software you can access on your Windows.

Step 1. First, download and launch the Freemake Video Converter on your Windows. After that, you can start with the MOV to MP4 conversion process.

Step 2. From the interface, click the Video button to add the MOV file from your computer.

Step 3. Click the to MP4 > Convert button below to start converting the MOV file to MP4 format.

After using the instructions, we can conclude that Freemake is another offline converter you can utilize for an effective video conversion procedure. However, its free version has various limitations. So, get the plan and access all the features you need.

Part 5. Transcode MOV to MP4 on Mov.to

To convert MOV to MP4 online, try using Mov.to. This online converter can give you an effective way to transform your files. It can also support various video formats, making it more convenient for all users. Plus, you can access the converter on various browsers.

Step 1. Visit the main website of Mov.to. After that, click the Select Your Files button to start uploading the MOV video from your device.

Step 2. Click the Convert Files button to start the process. Once done, you can already download the MP4 video on your computer.

In terms of converting MOV files online, you can use this online tool to get your output. However, the drawback here is that the tool shows some errors sometimes. It also has a slow conversion process, which may consume more time.

Conclusion

For our final verdict about MOV vs. MP4, choosing the best format will depend on our needs. So, to get more idea about the formats, you can read all the details from this article. Also, if you want the most powerful video converter that can transcode your MOV to MP4, use the Vidmore Video Converter. This software has all the functions you need, making it an exceptional offline converter.