6 Ways to Convert MOV to MP4 on Windows/Mac/Online

Part 1. Why Need tot Convert MOV to MP4?

As you may already know, MOV was developed by Apple and is primarily used in QuickTime. It is a video file format that is very popular among users of Apple products. It is Apple's standard video format for iOS, Microsoft and macOS platforms.

Even though widely used, MOV files do not play smoothly on non-Apple devices, smartphones and players. On the other hand, MP4 (MPEG4) is less restrictive than MOV. It was developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group to facilitate the sharing of video content online. The MP4 files are compatible with all media players.

Fortunately, converting MOV to MP4 is the solution to this obstacle. Let’s see the different ways to convert MOV to MP4 free on Windows and Mac.

Part 2. Best MOV to MP4 Converter for Windows and Mac - Lossess and Batch

HitPaw Univd (HitPaw Video Converter) is a desktop application that can easily convert your videos from .mov to .mp4 in a click. Actually, HitPaw Univd has some amazing and cool features:

How to Convert MOV to MP4 on PC and Mac with HitPaw Univd

Here are the steps to use HitPaw Univd to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac or Windows.

Step 1 Download and install the HitPaw Univd on Windows or Mac computer.

Step 2 Launch this program, add or drag your MOV file(s) to the program directly.

Step 3 The default output format is the same as source. You can click the triangle icon to open the format lists. Select MP4 format as output format. This will change MOV to MP4.

Step 4 Before conversion, you can enable hardware acceleration and lossless conversion at the top-right corner.

Step 5 Click the Convert button in a video to convert this single file, or you can simply click Convert All button to start batch conversion. The converted file(s) can be quickly accessed via the Converted tab in this program.

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

How to Convert MOV to MP4 with iMovie

If you are a Mac user, you can change MOV to MP4 on Mac using iMovie. Here are the steps that you can follow to use and convert your file via iMovie.

Step 1: On your Mac, go to the iMovie software, and click on the ‘File’ menu. From the drop-down list that appears next, click on the ‘New Movie’ option.

Step 2: On the next window, click on the ‘Import Media’ and select the files that you want to convert from MOV to MP4.

Step 3: When all the files got imported, click on the ‘File’ menu, then on the ‘Share’ option, and lastly click on ‘File’.

Step 4: Next you will find a window where you can edit the resolution, quality, format, and compress. After setting up all the options, click on ‘Next’.

Step 5: Here, you can edit the name of the file and its location, and then hit on ‘Save’ button.

How to Change Mov to MP4 in VLC

VLC is common software that is used to play videos and many people are familiar with it. VLC can be used in Windows, Mac OS, iPhone, iPad, and other android mobiles. You can also convert mov to mp4 files for free in VLC.

If you are thinking of how you can change mov to mp4 using a VLC player, here is a proper guide to doing so.

Step 1: Download and Install VLC Media Player on your computer. Launch the VLC Player on your computer.

Step 2: After starting the app, click on the Media menu and then drop-down list click on the ‘Convert/Save’ option. If you are a Mac user then after clicking the File menu, you must click on the ‘Convert/Stream’ option.

Step 3: On the next window, you will find an option ‘Open Media’, click on that button to import your MOV file.

Step 4: Set the target format to mp4 in the Choose Profile section. Hit the ‘Save as File’ and give a name and destination location to your file, and then on ‘Save’ lastly.

Part 4. Three MOV to MP4 Converters Free Online

There are also a wide variety of free online .MOV to .MP4 converters you can use. It is worth mentioning that online converters usually handle small videos and don't support batch process. Below are several online video converter tools that we’ve picked up for your reference.

1. HitPaw Online Video Converter

HitPaw Online Video Converter supports to change MOV to MP4 free with a simple click. This free MOV to MP4 converter supports more than 300 formats and it is 100% free.

• 1

  Just visit https://online.hitpaw.com/online-video-converter.html and choose your original MOV files to import.

• 2

  Choose the MP4 format as the output format.

• 3

  Click Convert button to start conversion.

2. CloudConvert

CloudConvert is another free online video converter tool that supports to convert .mov to MP4. You can upload a file from computer or cloud-services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.

• CloudConvert offers 25 free conversion per day and the maximum size of upload files is 1GB.
• CloudConvert supports limited video and audio formats with MOV and MP4 are included.

• 1

  Go to cloudconvert.com

• 2

  Click the ‘Select File’ option to upload your file.

• 
• 3

  Select the format that you want to convert your file to.

• 
• 4

  Before conversion, you can click the wrench icon to adjust the settings of the output video.

• 
• 5

  Tap on the Convert button and the conversion process will start.

• 6

  As the conversion completes, click on the Download button to save the file on your computer.

3. Zamzar Free MOV to MP4 Converter

Zamzar provides free video conversion service online. It supports to import files within 50MB for free. For larger files, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the paid plans.

It is a direct MOV to MP4 converter free without offering any options for adjusting the parameters of your output video.

• 1

  Visit the website and click Add Files to import your MOV file.

• 
• 2

  Choose an output format and click Convert Now button to start converting MOV to MP4. Once your MOV file is converted successfully, click Download button o save it to your computer.

Part 4: Online vs Desktop Conversion – Comparison Table

To help you decide whether to utilize online tools or programs such as HitPaw Univd on your desktop, here is a comparison of the key features:

Verdict

For anyone requiring flexibility, security, and quality output, HitPaw Univd is the clear champion.

Part 5: What Users Say – HitPaw Univd Online Reviews

Real users consistently praise HitPaw Univd for its ease of use, speed, and reliability. Below is one such glowing testimonial from Trustpilot, showcasing just how well-received the tool is by everyday users.

Date of Experience: March 13, 2025

Ru Liu – TW (Trustpilot Review)

“I recently purchased the HitPaw Video Converter for my Mac, and I am extremely satisfied with my experience! The software is user-friendly and efficient, allowing me to convert videos quickly without compromising quality. The interface is intuitive, making it easy for anyone to navigate, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Customer support was also helpful and responsive when I had questions about my license. I appreciate the option to expand my license for additional devices in the future. Overall, I highly recommend HitPaw Video Converter for anyone looking for a reliable and powerful video conversion tool!”

Watch this video and know more about Univd

Part 5. FAQs about Converting MOV to MP4

1. Can I convert a MOV file to MP4 on Mac?

Yes, there are several methods to convert MOV files to MP4 on Mac. You can try QuickTime Player, iMovie, or online MOV to MP4 converters.

2. How can I convert MOV to MP4?

There are several ways to convert MOV files to MP4, tools like HitPaw Univd, VLC media player, QuickTime Pro, etc.

3. Does MOV conversion to MP4 reduce quality?

No, if you use a good tool like HitPaw Univd, MOV to MP4 conversion doesn't reduce any quality, since it just so happens to be lossless and it gives you the same high quality as the MOV file.

4. What is the fastest way to convert big MOV files?

The fastest way to convert big MOV files is by using HitPaw Univd. It offers up to 90 times faster conversion speeds compared to online converters and can handle big files with ease.

5. Is batch conversion available?

Yes, you can do batch conversion using HitPaw Univd, where you can convert multiple MOV files to MP4 simultaneously, saving time and effort.

The Bottom Line

People generally don’t know about MOV to MP4 converters that can easily convert their videos. Here we have illustrated to you some options that can help you to convert MOV to MP4 free. If you need simply to convert MOV to MP4 without additional settings, the online video converters can satisfy your requirements. While if you have lots of MOV files to convert or want to convert MOV to MP4 big size, and need to edit them before converting, then HitPaw Univd desktop application provides advanced features than online video converter tools in conversion speed and file size.