Compress MOV Video
Reduce the file size of your MOV videos by optimizing codec, quality, and resolution while maintaining visual quality.
Compress MOV files online, no account needed
MOV is Apple's QuickTime container format. It is common output from iPhones, mirrorless cameras, and screen recorders. The files tend to be large because cameras prioritize quality over storage efficiency. This tool re-encodes the video stream at a lower bitrate, which reduces the data stored per second of footage and shrinks the overall file size.
You can upload any MOV file up to 1 GB. The output is always a MOV file, so your existing workflows and players stay compatible. No login is required, and the tool processes up to 10 videos per day per IP address.
How compression works: Codec, quality, and resolution
Three settings control how much the tool reduces the size of your MOV file. Understanding each one helps you choose the right trade-off between file size and visual quality.
- Codec: The encoding algorithm that determines how video frames are compressed. Options are VP9 (default), VP8, H.264, H.265, and AV1. H.264 and H.265 are the most widely compatible choices for MOV and QuickTime playback. H.265 typically achieves smaller files than H.264 at equivalent quality.
- Quality slider: A percentage from 10% to 100% (default 70%) that sets the target bitrate relative to the original. Lower values produce smaller files with more visible compression artifacts. 70% is a reasonable starting point for most footage.
- Target resolution: Reduces the output height to 2160p, 1440p, 1080p, 720p, or 480p. Downscaling multiplies the size reduction on top of whatever the quality slider achieves. Leave it at "original" if you only want bitrate reduction.
Lowering the quality slider and downscaling together produce the largest reductions. Codec choice affects both compatibility and how efficiently the encoder uses each bit. For more background on how codecs affect file size, see the codec explainer on the SimpleSize blog .
Step-by-step: How to compress a MOV file
- Open the tool at the top of this page.
- Drag your MOV file onto the dropzone, or click to browse and select it. The file uploads immediately and the tool prepares it for compression.
- Choose a codec from the dropdown. H.264 is a safe default for broad compatibility; H.265 gives smaller output if your player supports it.
- Adjust the quality slider. The default of 70% balances file size and visual fidelity for most use cases.
- Optionally select a target resolution to downscale the video dimensions.
- Click "Compress Video". A progress bar shows current encoding time, total duration, time remaining, and percent complete.
- When processing finishes, review the results panel. It shows a thumbnail, the original and compressed sizes, the savings percentage, the codec used, and the output bitrate. Click the download button to save your compressed MOV. The download link expires after 300 seconds.
Files are processed server-side, so your device's CPU and memory do not affect encoding speed or output quality.
When to shrink a MOV file vs. converting it
Keeping the MOV container makes sense when you need to stay in an Apple or QuickTime-based workflow, or when the receiving application expects MOV specifically. A compressed MOV is still a MOV, so metadata, compatibility, and player associations remain unchanged.
If your goal is broader playback compatibility rather than just a smaller file, converting to MP4 is a better choice. MP4 is more universally supported across browsers, smart TVs, and Android devices. You can do that with the SimpleSize video converter .
Common situations where reducing MOV file size is the right move:
- Attaching footage to an email that has a size limit
- Uploading to a platform that caps video file size
- Freeing storage on a Mac, iPhone, or camera card
- Sharing raw iPhone footage without switching containers
- Reducing upload time when the recipient also uses QuickTime
For a broader look at how video bitrate affects file size decisions, the video bitrate guide covers the mechanics in detail.
Limits and what to expect from the output
The maximum file size per upload is 1 GB. The daily limit is 10 video operations per IP address, shared across video compression and video conversion. The limit resets at midnight UTC.
Output quality depends on the source. A heavily compressed original will not improve with re-encoding. Each compression pass introduces some generation loss, so it is worth keeping your original file and only distributing the compressed version. The tool does not alter audio tracks beyond what the selected codec and quality settings require for the video stream.
If you also work with other video formats, the MP4 compressor and MKV compressor follow the same settings and workflow.
FAQ
The tool re-encodes the video stream inside your MOV using the codec and quality settings you choose. Re-encoding rewrites every frame at a lower target bitrate, which means fewer bits are stored per second of video. The output file uses the same MOV container as the input. Audio is preserved. The reduction in bitrate is what produces the smaller file size.
H.264 is the most broadly compatible codec for MOV and QuickTime. It plays on virtually every device and editing application that supports MOV. H.265 achieves meaningfully smaller files at the same visual quality because it uses more advanced prediction algorithms, but requires a player that supports HEVC. VP9 and AV1 are efficient codecs but are less common in QuickTime-based workflows. Start with H.264 unless you know your playback environment supports H.265.
The quality slider sets the target bitrate as a percentage of the original. The default of 70% works well for most footage, producing a noticeable size reduction while keeping visible quality loss minimal. Drop to 50% or lower if maximum size reduction matters more than quality, for example when sharing over messaging apps or email. Go above 70% if the footage contains fine detail or fast motion that degrades quickly at lower bitrates.
Compressing a MOV re-encodes the video stream at a lower bitrate and keeps the MOV container. The output is still a MOV file. Converting to MP4 changes the container format and re-encodes the stream into a different wrapper that browsers and non-Apple devices handle more reliably. Both operations reduce file size, but conversion also changes compatibility. Use compression when you need to stay in MOV. Use the video converter when playback compatibility is the priority.
Results vary depending on the original bitrate, codec, and content. iPhone MOV files shot in ProRes or high-bitrate HEVC can shrink dramatically because they start with very high bitrates. Footage already compressed at a low bitrate will show smaller gains. Combining a lower quality setting with a resolution downscale (for example, 1080p from 4K) produces the largest reductions. The results panel shows the exact savings percentage after each compression run.
The maximum upload size is 1 GB per file. There is also a daily limit of 10 video operations per IP address, which resets at midnight UTC. This limit is shared between video compression and video conversion on the same IP. Files larger than 1 GB cannot be uploaded. If you regularly work with very large files, splitting or pre-trimming the footage before uploading is one option.
The download link expires 300 seconds (5 minutes) after the compression completes. After that, the file is no longer accessible and you would need to re-upload and re-compress. Download your file as soon as the results appear. The short expiry is by design: it limits how long processed files are retained on the server, which reduces unnecessary storage of user data.
The compression settings in this tool target the video stream. Audio is preserved through the process. The quality slider and codec selection apply to video encoding. You will not hear a difference in the audio track between the original and the compressed MOV under normal usage.
Yes. iPhones record video in the MOV container by default, including footage shot in standard HEVC, H.264, and ProRes modes. All of these are valid inputs. ProRes files in particular tend to be very large, so they benefit significantly from re-encoding at a lower bitrate. Upload the file directly from your camera roll or after transferring it to your computer. The tool accepts any MOV up to 1 GB.
Uploaded and processed files are stored temporarily on the server and removed shortly after the download link expires. The 300-second expiry on download links reflects how briefly files are retained. No account is created and no file is associated with a persistent user profile. For full details on data handling, see the SimpleSize privacy policy .
Yes. Each time a video is re-encoded, the encoder introduces a small amount of additional loss. This is called generation loss. Compressing a file that has already been compressed at a low quality setting will degrade it further. To avoid this, keep your original uncompressed or high-quality source file and only distribute the compressed output. Do not use a compressed version as the source for a second round of compression.