Top 10 Best Video Compression Software for Different Devices
Every video professional and video enthusiast's first real challenge with video editing is size. Video projects have a way of ballooning into behemoths that consume tens of gigabytes of storage per video. It doesn't matter how big your storage drive is; you quickly run out of space in no time. You also need the videos to be relatively small in size, if you're going to upload or share them. Otherwise, they'd be too bulky to be convenient for you and for anyone you share them with. So, managing the size of your video projects is crucial. Video compression tools can help you reduce the size of your videos without significantly compromising their quality. And here are our top picks for different device users.
Part 1: Top 5 Best Video Compressors for Windows and Mac
Feature
Compatibility
Best-Suited For
Price
Adobe Media Encoder
Windows, Mac
Professional video compression
Starting at $59.99/mo
HandBrake
Windows, Mac, Linux
Professional compression
Free
HitPaw Online Video Compressor
Web-based (Browser)
For casual users
Free
iMovie
macOS
Basic video compression and editing for Mac users
Free
Part 2: Best 5 Video Compression Software for iOS and Android
Feature
Compatibility
Best-Suited For
Price
Video Compressor
Android, iOS
Quick video compression on mobile devices
Freeware
VidCompact
Android, iOS
Mobile users who need easy video compression
Free
InShot
Android, iOS
Video editing and compression for mobile users
Freeware
Compress Videos & Resize Video
Android, iOS
Quick video resizing and compression
Free
Panda Video Compress
Android, iOS
Simple video compression for mobile users
Freeware
Part 3: Everything to Know about the 10 Best Video Compressors
1. Univd Video Compressor

Univd Video Compressor is a cross-platform video compression and conversion tool with remarkably powerful features. It can compress videos both lossily and losslessly, giving you complete control over the quality of your video. Univd's compression can slash your video file size by up to 80% without noticeable quality loss.
Pros
- Lossy and lossless compression
- 120X faster than average tools
- 1,000+ formats supported
- Batch compress processing
- Easy to use
Cons
- Advanced features need a subscription
2. Adobe Media Encoder

Adobe Media Encoder is a powerful video compression tool integrated into the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications. It's not available as a standalone app, but Creative Cloud users get granular control over the compression settings of their videos. The tool supports all common video formats and produces professional-grade output.
Pros
- Batch processing
- Extensive video format support
- Custom settings for precise control of output quality
Cons
- Expensive monthly subscription
- Resource intensive on devices
- Not beginner-friendly
3. HandBrake

HandBrake is a free, open-source video conversion and compression tool widely used by both professionals and enthusiasts. HandBrake offers one of the best compression experiences in the industry, thanks to its highly efficient algorithms that compress videos to a fraction of their original size without noticeable quality loss. It also offers extensive customizations which give users full control over the quality of their projects.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Outstanding compression
- Basic editing tools available
- Support for a vast variety of formats
- Advanced compression settings
Cons
- For intermediate to advanced users
- Slow performance
- No batch processing
4. HitPaw Online Video Compressor

HitPaw Online Video Compressor is a great solution for users who use multiple devices and require compression capability on them. HitPaw Online Video Compressor can be accessed from any browser-friendly device, making it highly convenient and accessible. Basic compression settings are available for users and the tool is completely free to use.
Pros
- Free
- Universal compatibility
- Beginner-friendly
- Quick video compression
Cons
- File size limitations
- Advanced compression settings not available
- Internet connection required
5. iMovie

iMovie is a built-in movie editor for macOS and iOS platforms. Since it's designed for the Apple devices, it's heavily optimized for these devices and performs remarkably well. It is intuitive and user-friendly. However, it only offers basic video compression features with limited customizations.
Pros
- Free for macOS and iOS users
- Beginner-friendly
- Basic editing and compression features available
Cons
- Lacks advanced compression features
- Limited to Apple ecosystem only
6. Video Compressor

Video Compressor by ShrinkVid is a mobile-only app for iOS and Android devices and offers basic compression features for users. Its primary focus is quick video compression, a task at which it excels. Although there aren't many compression customizations available, the app handles the task impressively, even on low-powered devices.
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Quick compression
- Free to use
Cons
- Ads and in-app purchases
- Limited customization options
7. VidCompact

VidCompact is a full-fledged video converter and compressor packed into one powerful tool. It's available for both iOS and Android platforms, and offers a familiar, high-performance experience on both. The compression performance is outstanding with huge size reduction and fast compression.
Pros
- Free
- Basic customization options
- Preview before compression
- Many video formats supported
- User-friendly
Cons
- Ads in the free version
- Lacks advanced customizations
8. InShot

InShot is a full-fledged video editing tool for mobile platforms. It offers an extraordinary variety of video editing tools, providing users with advanced capabilities to make their videos social media-ready. While InShot also offers video compression capabilities, the features are basic.
Pros
- Basic compression features
- Outstanding video editing tools
- Easy to use
- Free version available
Cons
- Free version has ads
- Advanced features require in-app purchase
- Not suitable for professional compression
9. Compress Videos & Resize Video

Compress Videos & Resize Video is one of the rare mobile apps with batch compression capabilities. It offers customization presets that allow users to control the compression settings of their videos. Compress Videos & Resize Video allows users to preview the outcome of the compression settings before proceeding with the compression. It's a great tool for content creators.
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Free
- Supports multiple video formats
- Batch compression
- Preview before compression
- Fast
Cons
- iOS app only
- In-app purchases needed to unlock advanced features
- Not suited for professional-grade compression
10. Panda Video Compress

Panda Video Compress is a dedicated video compression app available for Android and iOS users. It comes loaded with all important video compression features like batch compression, preview before compression, resolution settings, multiple format support, and more.
Pros
- Free
- Batch processing
- Preview before compression
- Easy to use
Cons
- Ads in the free version
- Limited customization options
Part 4: How to Choose the Best Video Compression Software?
The right video compression software is one that perfectly meets your unique needs. Therefore, develop a clear understanding of what you need the video compression tool for and which features will meet those needs. Then, consider the following factors:
- Purpose: Professional users require high-performance video compressors like HitPaw Univd or Handbrake, while apps like InShot can perfectly meet the needs of a casual social media user.
- Video Formats: Make a list of formats in which your devices record videos or you create content. Compare different compressor tools to see if they support your video formats.
- Compression Speed vs Degree: Tools like HitPaw Univd are generally very fast when it comes to compression, but Handbrake and Adobe Media Encoder can compress files by a much greater degree.
- Compatibility: Of course, the app you use should be compatible with the devices you're using for video creation, editing, and uploading.
- Customizations: If you're looking for a simple tool to compress your videos and prepare them for uploading, you don't need a whole lot of customizations. However, if you're a video enthusiast or professional who prefers greater control over your project, then choose a tool that offers granular compression settings.
- Unique Features: Depending on your use case, you may require unique features like batch processing, support for an obscure video format, etc.
FAQs about Best Video Compressor
Q1. What is the best MP4 video compression software?
A1. The best MP4 video compression software varies from one context to another. But, HitPaw Univd and Handbrake generally fulfill the needs of most users.
Q2. Does compressing a video reduce quality?
A2. Video compression does result in some quality loss. However, the degree of loss depends on several factors, including video format, compression algorithm used, compression software, and compression settings, among others. For a worry-free experience, use HitPaw Univd.
Conclusion
Choosing the best video compression software depends on your specific needs. If you're a professional, tools like HitPaw Univd, HandBrake, and Adobe Media Encoder are great for high-quality compression. For casual users, iMovie, InShot, and VidCompact are easy to use and still do a good job. If you're looking for a balance between user-friendliness and advanced features, HitPaw Univd hits the sweet spot for most professionals who require a high-performance tool that's easy to use. Check it out today.
Share this article:
Select the product rating:
Daniel Walker
Editor-in-Chief
My passion lies in bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and everyday creativity. With years of hands-on experience, I create content that not only informs but inspires our audience to embrace digital tools confidently.
View all ArticlesLeave a Comment
Create your review for HitPaw articles