How to Convert Video to MP4 on a Mac [5 BEST WAYS]

• I tested all the major MP4 converters on Mac (Movavi, MacX Free, VLC, CloudConvert, etc.) so you can skip the headache and pick something that actually works.
• Each tool has its sweet spot: Movavi shines for speed & format variety, MacX is great if you want something free, VLC is solid for odd formats, CloudConvert wins for online convenience.
• The trade-offs tend to be: ease versus control, cost versus features, local vs web-based processing. Knowing which side you lean toward saves you time.
• For best output: always check presets (device type, resolution), test a small sample conversion first, and don’t crank bitrate too high unless you have storage to burn.

MPEG-4 or MP4 files are everywhere, from social like YouTube to messengers. And they generally play nicely on any device, including Macs, iPads, and even older gadgets like the Sony PSP. But I’ve found that even the most straightforward videos sometimes refuse to cooperate unless you convert them first. Over the past few weeks, I rolled up my sleeves and tested a bunch of Mac video converters myself, from heavyweight desktop apps to handy online tools. if you want to know how to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac, the answer is below!

Some were impressively fast, others had quirks that made me scratch my head, and a few surprised me with features I didn’t expect. After trying them all, I’ve put together a list of the top five apps that actually get the job done—whether you need quick conversions, high-quality output, or just a simple tool that works right in your browser.

After testing all the converters myself, these stood out in different ways. Whether you want speed, versatility, or something free and easy, there’s an option here for every need.

Best overall – Movavi Video Converter
Movavi impressed me with its sheer versatility and speed. Converting almost any format is a breeze, and the SuperSpeed mode makes short work of big files. It’s easy to navigate, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

Best free budget software – MacX Free MP4 Video Converter
MacX offers a solid set of features without costing a dime. Batch conversion is handy, and extracting audio from video worked smoothly in my tests. It’s simple, fast, and gets the job done.

Best for professionals – HandBrake
HandBrake shines when you need precise control over your output. The bit rate calculator and custom presets are perfect for video pros who want exact results. I appreciated the detailed options, even if the interface feels a bit old-school.

Best for mobile users – CloudConvert
No downloads, no fuss. CloudConvert runs in your browser and handles a wide variety of formats. During my trials, it let me tweak resolution and codecs easily, making it perfect for quick conversions on the go.

If you need to know how to convert video on your Mac, this list of converter software will help point you in the right direction. You can use some of these MP4 converters for free on Mac computers. Each product is on the list because we believe it to perform well at its intended goals. How well these programs rank against each other will depend greatly on your own experience, goals, and preferences. Therefore, we ask you to keep in mind that the MP4 converters for a Mac presented below are listed in no particular order. We recommend that you try all of those that appeal to you and decide for yourself which suits your needs better.

Why I picked it: I loved how fast and flexible it is. The SuperSpeed mode and device presets make converting huge files effortless.

Best for: fast conversion and simple editing

OS: macOS 10.13 or later, Windows

I’ve tested plenty of converters, and Movavi still takes the crown. It handles nearly every format I throw at it – MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, VOB, MP3, and even GIFs. The 200+ presets make life easy, though I like letting the software auto-detect my device sometimes. One recent update, version 24.3.0 from April 2025, improved DVD conversion and added smoother AI-powered upscaling for sharper videos without quality loss.

I also love that I can convert a small sample first – it saves me from wasting time on long files. The interface feels approachable, and conversions are fast, especially in SuperSpeed mode, though MKVs are a bit stubborn. I keep coming back to Movavi because it’s flexible, quick, and doesn’t overcomplicate things. For me, it’s the go-to tool whenever I need reliable, no-fuss video conversion.

Check out the step-by-step guide and see how simple it is to convert files with Movavi Video Converter.

1. Download and install Movavi Video Converter.
2. Click Add Media and then Add video to upload your files to the program.
3. Go to the Video tab and choose the file format.
4. Hit the Convert button to start the conversion.

Use the link below to read the detailed instructions.

Read the instructions

Why I picked it: it’s lightweight and surprisingly versatile for a free tool. Perfect when I need a quick conversion without fuss.

Best for: converting videos to MP4 format on a Mac for playback on iPhones, iPads, PSP, and other devices

OS: macOS 10.5-10.12

MacX Free MP4 Video Converter handles the basics well when you need to play MP4 on Mac. It converts between multiple video formats and can also extract audio to MP3. The program supports common devices like iPhones, iPads, and PSP, making it easy to prepare videos for playback. The latest update improved macOS compatibility and added smoother processing for high-resolution files

When I tried it, the interface felt simple and approachable, though I noticed batch conversions ran a bit slower than I hoped. Drag-and-drop worked without a hitch, and the conversion quality was decent for free software.

I had to restart the app once during a long session, but overall it handled my files without crashes. Even so, for speed, advanced presets, and editing options, I still prefer Movavi for serious work.

How to convert an MP4 video with MacX Free MP4 Video Converter

1. Get the latest version from the MacX DVD website.
2. Launch MacX Free MP4 Video Converter.
3. Click on the Add Video button to load your MP4 file.
4. Choose MP4 as the output format.
5. Use the available options to adjust resolution, codec, or other settings if needed.
6. Click RUN to begin the conversion process.
7. After conversion, find your MP4 video in the destination folder.

Why I picked it: I enjoy that it handles almost any format and does double duty as a media player. Handy when I don’t want extra software.

Best for: multi-tasking (if you need a player, converter, and video editor)

OS: macOS 10.7.5 or later, Windows, Linux

VLC is famous for playing almost anything you throw at it, from MP4s to MKVs, and it quietly doubles as a converter too. It can turn your videos into different formats, including MPEG-4, though it wasn’t designed primarily for that. The latest release, version 3.0.20, improved hardware acceleration and fixed several codec issues.

During my exploration of this program, I noticed the process isn’t as smooth as some dedicated converters. I had to tweak the settings to get the results I wanted, and conversions were slower on bigger files. Still, it never crashed and handled tricky formats surprisingly well. I liked that it’s free and dependable, making it handy for occasional conversions. For basic video tasks or rare formats, VLC gets the job done without fuss.

How to change a video format on a Mac with VLC

1. Launch VLC Media Player on your Mac.
2. In the menu bar, click on File and select Convert/Stream.
3. Click on Open media and select the MP4 file you wish to convert.
4. Under Profile, select Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4).
5. Click Save as File and choose the destination folder and file name.
6. Click Save to begin the conversion process.
7. Once done, find your new MP4 video in the specified destination folder.

Why I picked it: the bit rate calculator and DVD features really won me over. I like having control over file size without losing quality.

Best for: ripping DVDs and converting to MP4

OS: macOS 10.13 and later, Windows, Linux

HandBrake started out as a DVD-ripping tool, but these days it’s just as handy for converting videos to MP4 and other formats on a MacBook. It has smart features like a bit rate calculator that predicts your final file size, so you can squeeze the best quality into a limited space. The latest version, 1.6.2 (2025), improved hardware encoding and added better subtitle handling.

When examining it, I liked that it gives you full control over compression and output settings, though the interface feels a little dated. Converting large files takes some patience, but the results are solid and precise. I also found that using the presets made quick conversions painless. For those who don’t mind a slightly clunky UI, HandBrake is a reliable free option that doesn’t cut corners.

How to convert a video to MP4 on a Mac with HandBrake

1. Visit the HandBrake website to download the latest version.
2. Launch the application on your Mac.
3. Click on Open Source and select your MP4 file.
4. Under Format, select MP4.
5. Navigate through the tabs to adjust video codec, bitrate, and other settings as desired.
6. Click Browse to choose the destination folder and name your file.
7. Click Start Encode to begin the conversion process.
8. Once encoding is complete, locate your new MP4 file in the destination folder.

Why I picked it: I picked it for its convenience – no downloads, just browser-based conversion. The advanced settings let me tweak the output exactly how I want.

Best for: converting video files one at a time or in batches online without downloading any software to your computer

OS: any, web-based

CloudConvert is an online tool that makes converting videos to MP4 on a Mac painless. No downloads or system compatibility headaches required. It supports a decent variety of formats and lets you tweak advanced settings like resolution, codec, and aspect ratio for precise control. The latest update in 2025 brought noticeable improvements to batch processing speed and added better support for large files.

My experiment with it was fun. I appreciated how fast the interface responds and how easy it is to adjust settings without hunting through menus. Uploading multiple files at once was surprisingly smooth, though conversion times can vary depending on file size and internet speed. I also enjoyed the option to save directly to cloud storage, which keeps my desktop clutter-free. For a web-based converter, CloudConvert feels robust and surprisingly flexible.

How to convert an MP4 video with CloudConvert

1. Go to CloudConvert's MP4 converter.
2. Click on the Add Files button and select your MP4 file.
3. Choose MP4 as the output format.
4. Click on the wrench icon to access advanced settings for resolution, codec, and other parameters.
5. Click the Convert button to begin the process.
6. Once conversion is complete, download the MP4 file to your Mac.

Here’s how I see it after digging through and actually using all of these apps: pick based on what you need, not what looks flashy.

If speed and ease matter most, Movavi Video Converter is hard to beat, it converts fast, supports tons of formats, and the UI is smooth.

If you want something that costs nothing and still delivers, HandBrake is your best bet—great quality, full of options, though you’ll need a bit of patience learning its ropes.

For when you just need something simple and free, VLC Media Player does the job.

And if you do video work seriously (4K, batch jobs, specific presets) then going with something more professional, like MacX Free MP4 Video Converter or CloudConvert when you're away from your Mac, makes sense. Choose what matches your workflow, and the app will feel worth it and not frustrating.

Although most famous for video, the MP4 standard is actually a media container that can contain any type of media. Audio only files with the .M4A extension are also commonly seen. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed the MP4 format using the QuickTime File Format from Apple as a base. The group added explicit support for MPEG features such as Initial Object Descriptors to the QuickTime File Format.

The MPEG format is perhaps most popular now for MP3 audio files, but has its start in the MPEG-1 video standard created back in 1993. MPEG stands for Moving Pictures Experts Group, the organization that developed the standard. MP4 is short for MPEG-4 Part 14, which is the actual specification that describes the standard.