Looking for an MP4 to MOV Converter?

• Seven solid options: Movavi Video Converter, HandBrake, VLC, CloudConvert, Zamzar, Online-Convert, plus Movavi’s Online Video Converter.
• Each has its role: Movavi is fast, HandBrake is free, VLC is mainly a player, but its converter works for quick MP4 to MOV jobs, and the online tools are quick fixes with size limits.
• Pick by workflow: Desktop apps for speed and extras, online tools for small, one-off jobs.
• Free vs paid: Free means file caps and slower speeds; paid gets you smoother, faster results.
• Quick tip: Adjust resolution or codec in Movavi or CloudConvert to make MOVs run better in QuickTime.

Every device seems to spit out MP4s these days, from phones and cameras to random screen captures. Drop one of those files into certain editors or older Apple apps and suddenly nothing works the way it should. Sometimes the audio goes out of sync, sometimes the file will not even open. MOV is Apple’s native format, smoother to edit, friendlier to QuickTime, and often less finicky overall.

I wanted to see how to convert MP4 to MOV without running into endless error messages or losing half the video quality. I put a handful of converters through real files. Some were fast and clean, others introduced strange glitches, and a couple just wasted my time. Below are the ones that actually did the job right, with notes on when each makes the most sense.

• Best overall: Movavi Video Converter
  Fast, reliable, and packed with extras like presets and trimming, it handled big MP4 to MOV jobs smoothly.
• Best for beginners: Online Video Converter
  The drag-and-drop interface and clear layout made it easy to go from MP4 to MOV without overthinking.
• Most versatile: VLC
  Beyond just conversion, it plays almost any file type, so it’s handy if you want one tool for both playback and format changes.
• Best flexible online option: CloudConvert
  Gives plenty of control over output settings, from codecs to aspect ratio, and feels stable after its recent update.
• Best quick fix: Zamzar
  Drag, drop, convert – ideal for small files when you just need a MOV fast without installing software.

MP4 and MOV are popular video formats in use today because they are supported by almost any device, including mobile devices. But there are times you may want to convert MP4 to MOV files. Some platforms can help you convert MP4 to MOV for free. Here are some options if you are learning how to convert MP4 to MOV online or using a desktop app.

Why I picked it: Fast conversions with smooth presets that save time.

If you are looking to convert a large MP4 to MOV or want to learn how to convert MP4 to MOV on Mac, Movavi Video Converter is a solid option. This is a reliable video converter with plenty of great features.

These features include using the app to convert video to audio, so you can save music from your favorite movies and clips. I liked how simple this was to do in practice. It can also help you convert photos and other digital images and is a one-stop solution for most media formats for all popular devices. The fast conversion rates really stood out to me and made the whole process smooth.

This program offers more than 200 presets for almost all the latest devices, such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Sony, Huawei, and many more. It gives you the ability to convert MP4 to MOV for any device. Also, it supports more than 180 standard media formats that include VOB for your DVD, MP3, RAW, AVI, and MKV, among others.

Movavi Video Converter has a simple interface, so setting the conversion takes less than a minute. Another advantage of the program is its SuperSpeed conversion feature, which lets you convert even large files in just seconds. Download the installation file for Windows or Mac and follow these simple steps.

Why I picked it: Presets worked instantly and spared me from tweaking too much.

This open-source video transcoder is a handy tool for converting videos from any format to MOV. Whether you are on Windows, Linux, or Mac, HandBrake will rise to the occasion and convert your MP4 files to MOV.

It is free and offers lots of features to customize your output MOV file. I liked being able to set the output resolution and pick the target device where I wanted to play the video. It can also convert any BluRay or DVD media that do not contain copy protection. I found it convenient that you can add subtitles and chapters to the output video.

Why I picked it: Plays everything and can handle quick conversions in a pinch.

VLC is best known as a free, open-source player that runs on almost any platform, but it also includes a useful conversion feature. I used it to convert MP4 to MOV for QuickTime, and it handled the task without major issues, though the process felt more manual than with specialized converters.

What I liked is that VLC is completely free, with no spyware or ads, and it works across macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. For one-off conversions or when you already have VLC installed, it is a convenient option. At the same time, I noticed it can be prone to errors, especially with larger files or more complex formats, so I would not rely on it as my main converter. Still, if you just need to get a file into QuickTime quickly, it can save the day.

Why I picked it: The drag-and-drop setup made conversion effortless.

If you want to convert MP4 to MOV without the hassle of installing freeware on your computer, this free online converter is worth considering. Online Video Converter has a simple interface that made converting to MOV straightforward for me. All I had to do was upload an MP4 file and wait a moment for the MOV version.

I liked that it can handle just about any format and convert it to MOV, while also supporting many other outputs such as 3GP, M2TS, MPEG, OGV, WebM, and more. The free version lets you convert files up to 100 MB, which was fine for smaller clips. For larger files, you need a subscription that also includes online storage. The only drawback I noticed is that daily or monthly payments can add up over time.

Why I picked it: Lots of control over output settings without needing desktop software.

Another online platform you can use to convert MP4 to the QuickTime file format is CloudConvert. With its simple interface, it felt convenient when I needed to change MP4 to MOV on the go and share videos with Mac users.

This flexible platform supports most of the popular media formats. You just click on a dropdown box and choose the location of your MP4 file. From there, you can set resolution, select video codec, pick presets, adjust aspect ratio, and fine-tune the audio settings.

What I liked is the level of control over output properties, which makes it easy to tailor the final MOV file. The main drawback is that missing fonts on CloudConvert can sometimes cause issues in the converted video. In the most recent update, the service refreshed default versions of core tools such as mupdf, poppler, 7z, Inkscape, LibreOffice, PDFTron, Calibre, and Chrome, which makes the overall conversion process more stable.

Why I picked it: Quick to use when I just need a small file converted online.

You can also learn how to change MP4 to MOV through the use of Zamzar, a straightforward web media converter for free. All you need is to drag and drop your MP4 files, set the output media format to MOV, and click to convert .mp4 to .mov files. I found the process quick and simple, with no extra steps.

Zamzar can convert to other formats other than MOV and creates extensions compatible with both Windows and Mac. I liked that it is free, but you do need a strong Internet connection for the conversion to run without glitches. The platform keeps evolving too: in August 2025, Zamzar added a video and audio splitting tool, which comes in handy if you’re working with larger files and want them in smaller pieces.

Why I picked it: Easy to upload from anywhere and get a MOV file back fast.

This free online media converter allows you to change MP4 to the QuickTime MOV format at the click of a button. You can convert any media format to .mov on this platform from the files on your computer or those you stored online.

You can drop your MP4 files directly onto the platform for conversion to MOV, or select Enter URL, Dropbox, or Google Drive, depending on where you store the file for conversion. I found the process straightforward, and it worked smoothly with small files. It is free and works with most of the popular video formats in use today. The only problem is that it may not work well with large files.

After putting these tools through their paces, I can say the “best” really depends on what you need.

If you want speed and a few extra features, Movavi Video Converter is the one to go with. It chews through big batches quickly and gives you extras like trimming and presets that actually save time.

If you’d rather not spend a cent, HandBrake is a solid choice. It’s completely free, works across platforms, and the built-in presets handled my test files without me fiddling with a bunch of settings.

For smaller jobs, VLC can be surprisingly handy. It’s better known as a media player, but if you already have it installed, the converter gets a simple MP4 into MOV without much fuss.

Prefer not to install anything? Online tools make sense. CloudConvert gives you lots of control over resolution and codecs, which is great if you care about playback quality. Zamzar is quick and straightforward when you just want to flip a small file. And Online-Convert is convenient if most of your videos are sitting in Dropbox or Google Drive.

The bottom line: match the tool to the way you work. Go with a desktop app if you want speed and stability, or pick an online service if you just need a fast, one-off conversion. That way you’ll spend less time messing with formats and more time actually watching your videos.