# Compress MOV

> Compress QuickTime Movie (MOV) files online for free. The compressor re-encodes the video at a lower bitrate (and resolution on Strong). Runs in your browser, so your files never leave your device. Or set an exact target size.

URL: https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mov

- Compression: lossy, runs in the browser (nothing is uploaded).
- API: `POST /api/v1/jobs` with `"operation": "compress"` and an optional `compression_level` or `target_size` (paid plans).
- Format: [MOV converter](https://www.converterrr.com/mov-converter), [Compress videos](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-videos).

## What compression does to MOV

Re-encodes the video at a lower bitrate (and resolution on Strong).

- **Light:** Near-lossless: re-encodes conservatively and keeps the full resolution.
- **Balanced (default):** The default: looks the same for most uses, and typically 40–70% smaller.
- **Strong:** Smallest file: lower quality, and large videos are downscaled.

Need it much smaller? MP4 plays on practically every device and site, at the same size. [Convert MOV to MP4](https://www.converterrr.com/mov-to-mp4).

## Need an exact size?

Set a target size or a percentage to reduce by. These pages preset common video sizes and take MOV too:

- [Compress video to 8 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-8mb): Chat app uploads
- [Compress video to 10 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-10mb): 10 MB upload limits
- [Compress video to 25 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-25mb): Email attachments
- [Compress video to 50 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-50mb): Portals & bigger uploads
- [Compress video to 100 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-video-to-100mb): Long videos, smaller

## How to compress MOV

1. **Add your MOV files.** Drag and drop MOV files onto the compressor, paste them, or click to browse. You can add several at once.
2. **Pick a level or a target.** Balanced is selected and suits most files. Choose Light to stay closer to the original or Strong for the smallest file, or set a target size or a percentage to reduce by.
3. **Compress.** Click Compress. Your MOV files are processed right in your browser, usually in seconds.
4. **Download.** Download each smaller MOV, or everything at once as a ZIP.

## Good to know

- MOV is what iPhones and Macs record to, and those recordings use high bitrates. Compressing keeps the MOV container but lowers the bitrate.
- If the place you're sending it doesn't play MOV, converting MOV to MP4 gets you an equally small file that plays everywhere.
- Need to meet an upload limit? Set a target size (or a percentage to reduce by) in the compressor and the video is compressed to fit.
- MOV compression runs entirely in your browser with WebAssembly, so nothing is uploaded and your files never leave your device.

## About the MOV format

MOV is Apple's QuickTime container and the default format for iPhone and Mac screen recordings. It's great for editing but less universal than MP4.

|  | MOV |
| --- | --- |
| Full name | QuickTime Movie |
| Type | Video |
| Extensions | .mov, .qt |
| MIME type | video/quicktime |
| Best for | iPhone videos, screen recordings and editing workflows |
| Properties | lossy compression |

## Compress other videos

[Compress MP4](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mp4), [Compress MKV](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mkv), [Compress WebM](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-webm), [Compress AVI](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-avi)

## Compressing MOV: frequently asked questions

### How do I compress an MOV file?

Drop the MOV onto the compressor above, keep Balanced or pick another level, and click Compress. Download the smaller MOV when it's done; it usually takes a few seconds.

### Does compressing MOV reduce quality?

A little, by design: MOV is a lossy format. Balanced is tuned to look the same for most uses; choose Light if you want to stay closer to the original.

### How much smaller will my MOV get?

iPhone and Mac recordings use high bitrates, so they usually shrink substantially, screen recordings especially.

### Can I compress MOV to a specific size?

Yes. Set a target size in the compressor, or a percentage to reduce by, and the file is compressed to land at or just under it.

### Is it safe to compress MOV files here?

Yes. MOV files are compressed inside your browser with WebAssembly and never uploaded to a server.

### Is the MOV compressor free?

Yes. Compression is free with no watermark and no sign-up, within the same daily allowance as conversions.

### Should I convert my MOV instead?

Sometimes. MP4 plays on practically every device and site, at the same size. The MOV to MP4 converter does that in one step.