Can I convert MOV to MP4 without re-encoding?

Yes, if the MOV file uses H.264 video codec. Use ffmpeg -i input.mov -c copy output.mp4 — this copies the streams directly without any quality loss and takes seconds instead of minutes.

Does converting MOV to MP4 lose quality?

If you re-encode using CRF 18 with libx264, the quality loss is visually imperceptible. If you use -c copy (stream copy), there is zero quality loss.

Which codec should I use for the MP4 output?

Use H.264 (libx264) for maximum compatibility. Use HEVC/H.265 (libx265) if you want 30% smaller files and your target devices support it.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Convert MOV to MP4 Without Losing Quality (Free)

Learn multiple FFmpeg methods to convert Apple MOV files to universal MP4 format — from zero-loss stream copying to lossless re-encoding. Includes batch conversion scripts for entire folders.

Why Convert MOV to MP4?

MOV is Apple's proprietary container format — great on Mac and iPhone, but less compatible with Windows PCs, web players, and most video editing platforms. MP4 (using H.264 codec) is the universal standard that works everywhere: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Vimeo, and all modern devices.

Method 1: Stream Copy (Zero Quality Loss — Fastest)

When to use: Your MOV already uses H.264 video codec

ffmpeg -i input.mov -c copy output.mp4

This is instantaneous — FFmpeg just changes the container without touching the video data. No quality change, no re-encoding needed.

Method 2: Lossless Re-encode (Maximum Quality)

When to use: MOV uses a codec not supported in MP4 (like ProRes)

ffmpeg -i input.mov \
  -c:v libx264 -crf 18 -preset medium \
  -pix_fmt yuv420p \
  output-quality.mp4

CRF 18 provides visually lossless quality. The -pix_fmt yuv420p flag ensures compatibility with all players and devices.

Method 3: Batch Convert All MOV Files in Folder

# Mac/Linux: batch convert all MOV files
for f in *.MOV *.mov; do
  ffmpeg -i "$f" \
    -c:v libx264 -crf 18 -preset medium \
    -pix_fmt yuv420p \
    "${f%.MOV}.mp4" 2>/dev/null || true
done

# Windows PowerShell:
Get-ChildItem *.mov,*.MOV | ForEach-Object {
  ffmpeg -i $_.FullName \
    -c:v libx264 -crf 18 -preset medium `
    -pix_fmt yuv420p `
    ($_.BaseName + '.mp4')
}