How to compress a MOV file – Easy Steps

MOV files are commonly found on macOS. If you record a screencast on macOS, it is saved as a MOV file. The format is not unique to macOS and you can also record or create MOV videos on Windows 10. Regardless, these files tend to be large, especially compared to MP4 files. To reduce the size of a MOV file, you must compress it.

Compress MOV file

You can compress a MOV file by lowering its frame rate, lowering the resolution, or converting it to a different format, for example MP4.

On macOS, you can reduce the resolution of a MOV file with the QuickTime player. You cannot change the frame rate or convert it to MP4 with Quicktime. For that, you need a different application.

You can also use iMovie, but the process is exceptionally tedious.

1. Compress the MOV file with Handbrake

Handbrake is a popular and powerful video conversion tool. It is available for Mac and Windows and is a good solution regardless of the platform you use.

1. Download and install Handbrake.
2. Open the parking brake.
3. Click Open Source in the upper left.
4. Select the MOV file you want to compress.
5. In the Save As field, click Browse and select where you want to save the output file.
6. Go to the Video tab.
7. Select the frame rate.
8. Select the resolution.
9. Select a video encoder.
10. Click Start.
11. When the conversion is complete, you will have an MP4 file.

Note: Handbrake cannot generate MOV file.

2.Use a web app

There are many tools online for compressing files and they can preserve the MOV format. You don’t need to convert MOV file to MP4 to compress it.

1. Visit Clideo.
2. Select the Compress tool.
3. Click Choose file.
4. Select the MOV file you want to compress and allow it to load.
5. Once loaded, wait for the application to compress the file (this may take some time).
6. Once completed, click the Download button and save the file.

Note: Clideo is a paid online tool. The compressed file will have a watermark and you will have to pay to remove it. It works with a subscription model, so unless you plan to use it every day, it is not worth the money.

conclusion

It’s hard to find good compression tools with a simple GUI. Better to buy an app for work if you think Handbrake is not right for you. There is also FFMPEG but it is a command line tool. There are no good GUI apps that are actively maintained. If you are comfortable using the command line, you can use FFMPEG on both macOS and Windows 10 to compress a MOV file.