MP4 VS MOV: What is the Difference Between MP4 and MOV;

Overview

Many file formats are created to store video files, among which MOV and MP4 are two popular ones. MOV and MP4 are two container formats and both have the abilities to hold many codecs. Many users do not clearly know whether they should choose MOV or MP4 when downloading videos from internet or exporting videos from one video editor. Now the following article just compares MOV and MP4 with many aspects to help users to choose their output format.

MP4 VS MOV

• File Type: MP4 is MPEG-4 file format; MOV is Apple QuickTime Movie File Format
• Description: MP4 is created by International Standard mainly for sharing videos online or playback on the portable devices, like all kinds of mobile phones, PSP, Roku, Xbox, etc.; MOV is developed by Apple for mainly used for its QuickTime and other Apple products, like iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, FCP, iMovie, etc
• Container Formats: Both MP4 an MOV are container format.
• Compressed Codecs: Both MP4 and MOV can hold many video codec, audio codecs, subtitles, etc and the video compatibility and quality depend on the held codecs
• Limitations: MP4 is little loss in video quality and not a good format for video editing; MOV is well compatible with Apple platform and lack of cross-platform compatibility. For example, playing or editing MOV on Windows platform and other mobile devices.
• Pros: MP4 is often small in file size and playback on cross-platforms, even compatible with Apple devices, media players and editors; MOV is usually better quality than MP4 and full support from Apple platform.

From the above form, we can learn that whether MOV or MP4 we should choose depends on what devices, media players or video editors we want to play or edit the video on or in. If you want to work the videos with Apple programs, you should choose MOV without any doubt. If you want with Android phones, HTC phones, Blackberry phones, PSP, Zune, Xbox, Roku, etc MP4 will be your top choice.

Of course, if you already saved or exported MOV, but want to use them on Android phones or other MP4 compatible devices or saved or exported MP4, but want to use on Apple environment, MOV to MP4 conversion or MP4 to MOV conversion is needed, for which a professional MOV to MP4 or MP4 to MOV converter comes to help.

iDealshare VideoGo is just the professional MOV to MP4 or MP4 to MOV converter which can freely convert MOV to or from MP4. Besides, this iDealshare VideoGo is equipped with many other powerful conversion, playback and edition functions. Learn how to convert MOV to MP4 or MP4 to MOV or convert other video formats or how to play or edit MOV, MP4 and many other video formats from the iDealshare VideoGo official website.

Guide on Converting between MP4 and MOV

Follow the guide below to convert MOV to MP4 or convert MP4 to MOV

Make Preparation: Free download MP4 and MOV Converter

Free download the ideal MP4 and MOV Converter - iDealshare VideoGo(for Windows, for Mac), install and run it, the following interface will pop up.

Step 1 Add MP4 or MOV files

Two methods are developed to import the MP4 or MOV video files. One is to click the "Add file" button and the other is to use the drag and drop feature.

Step 2 Targeted output format setting

Select MP4 or MOV as your output format by clicking "Profile" button >"General Video" category.

Step 3 Convert between MP4 and MOV

Finally click the "Convert" button to convert MP4 to MOV or convert MOV to MP4