How to compress MOV file on Mac: Easy methods for any use

As a Mac user, you have several options to compress MOV files:

• Built-in apps like QuickTime and iMovie. They are free and fast.

• Third-party tools such as Permute, CameraBag Pro, and iBoysoft MagicMenu. They give you more control, batch compression, and minimal quality loss.

• Online platforms for light, once-in-a-while, compression tasks.

But how do the different options compare?

To find out, I tested these tools by compressing a one-minute 4K 60fps video (395.8 MB) shot with an iPhone 12 Pro Max to 720p resolution. I compared them in terms of file size reduction and quality preservation, and reviewed each MOV compressor's features, pros, and cons.

Before compressing files for storage: Try running the Duplicate File Finder GPT tool to find the best solutions to clean up your folders first. It means smaller archives and less wasted space in your compressed backups.

Best ways to compress MOV files efficiently

You can make a MOV file smaller with the help of third-party tools, built-in apps, or online platforms. However, the best method depends on your exact need, video type, and preferences. Ideally, video compression shouldn’t alter the quality of your videos, though most built-in tools, unlike third-party ones, don’t have an advanced algorithm to minimize it (you’ll see it below). 

Permute: Minimal quality loss

• Compression time: 115 seconds
• File size: 398.5 MB to 116.9 MB
• Observations: Permute excelled at reducing the size of MOV files without major losses in quality. The drag-and-drop interface and bulk compression capabilities made it user-friendly.

Permute is a comprehensive converter that allows you to compress bulk MOV video to MP4, MKV, AVI, WMV, MP3, WAV, etc. – all without sacrificing quality and with a handy drag-and-drop interface. It’s one of the easiest ways to compress MOV files, as you only need to drag-and-drop them. You can then choose the output format, as Permute provides 15+ options.

Here’s how to compress MOV with Permute:

1. Download and open Permute.
2. Drag and drop the MOV video to the app window. Or click on the “+” icon and choose the file.
3. Choose MP4 from the drop-down list in the upper left corner. The video automatically converts to standard MP4 resolution (1080p).

   

4. Click on the Play button to start compression. 

After compression, the video is saved to the same folder as the original MOV file. However, you can choose a custom location from the settings. Go to Settings > General, and you will find an option to change the destination for compressed files. 

QuickTime: Compress MOV files for free on Mac

• Compression time: 99 seconds
• File size: 395.8 MB to 84.2 MB
• Observations: While QuickTime offers a simple compression method, there was a noticeable loss in video quality after compression. 

QuickTime isn't a native MOV compressor app; it's a video player for Mac users. However, it offers easy-to-use video compression features. 

Here is how to compress .mov files with QuickTime:

1. Open QuickTime player 

2. Select the MOV file.

3. Click File > Export As and choose a resolution.

4. Click Save.
   

You’re done! Note that this is basically a direct reduction of the resolution, so you’ll end up with a noticeable loss in quality.

iMovie: Compress and edit MOV video on Mac  

• Compression time: 81 seconds
• File size: 395.8 MB to 90.7 MB
• Observations: iMovie offers more editing options than QuickTime, but there was still a noticeable quality loss after compression.

iMovie is another free built-in Mac app with more advanced video editing features than QuickTime player. It's the better choice if you want to add color, crop, and adjust video before exporting.

Here is how to compress MOV with iMovie:

1. Open iMovie.
2. Click file > Select video.
3. Import media. You will find the video in My Movie.
4. Select the video and click on Share Icon > Export File.
5. Select the resolution > Next.
6. Save in a folder.

   

Archiving tools to compress .mov videos

Archiving tools usually offer only a little compression, but if you want to store or share your MOVs more conveniently, this option is for you. For example, you can put your video, thumbnails, and associated audio into one archive and reduce the mess in your folders. Here's how to use the archive option on Mac:

1. Right-click (or control-click) on the video.
2. Choose Compress [filename] MOV from the drop-down menu. This will pack the file into a .zip folder. 
3. Find your ZIP file in the same folder as your original file.

This method preserves the quality but does little to make the file smaller. That’s why I use a more effective zipping method.

My right-click menu option has a different Compress button that does shrink the video before zipping it. How come? I added it using iBoysoft MagicMenu. This app helps you customize your right-click menu by adding dozens of different buttons that were never meant to be there, such as Uninstall, Copy Path, Cut, Convert, etc. You can even organize them into folders. 

So here is how to compress MOV to zip with iBoysoft MagicMenu.

1. Download and install iBoysoft MagicMenu.
2. Select Menu Editor  > Add Item >  Add from library... > Compress to install the extension.

   

3. Go back to your video and right-click on it.
4. Select Compress from a drop-down menu.

   

5. Adjust the resolution, quality, and output format.
6. Choose Save to begin the compression process.

The file will be saved as a ZIP folder. Just double-click to unzip. 

Online MOV compressors for occasional use 

Another way to reduce the size of videos is to use online platforms. You can easily find some by googling. For example, inVideo and Clideo are among the most popular ones. They use advanced compression technology without much loss in video quality. However, online platforms come with some risks to your privacy.

Therefore, before using an online MOV converter, you should check its security features. Confirm if it has an SSL encryption protocol and a privacy policy. You can also search online for reports of a platform breach or malicious activities. 

To reduce the risk, I recommend taking a cautious approach:

1. Start with small files as you understand how the platform works and test its output.

2. Review the compressed files to see if they meet your desired quality.

3. Avoid sharing sensitive files, such as personal content or client videos.

4. Only use these compressors for occasional tasks.

Just to be sure you are safe, stick with local options like Permute, iMovie, and QuickTime. These also provide more features and functionalities than online platforms.

How to compress MOV files in bulk

Sometimes, you need to compress a whole bunch of files at once. I remember when my mom requested I send her my wedding video. The videos were shot in sequence, from engagement to reception to dinner. 

I saved the copy on my iCloud in different folders.  But when I sent her the link, she complained about the lack of storage on her old PC. 

Downloading and compressing the videos without losing the quality was a big issue. Most of the compressors I tried could not compress heavy bulk videos at once. My long search eventually led to Permute, and since then, it has become my go-to bulk compressor. 

The steps to compress MOV files in bulk are easy with Permute:

1. Download and open Permute.
2. Drag and drop all the videos you need to compress.
3. Click on the Play button to start converting. 

   

You can see 15 videos being compressed at once. Results? 

• File size: 5.66 GB to 1.7 GB
• Compression time: 30 minutes 48 seconds

Permute achieved a 69% reduction in file size without a major loss in video quality.

How to make a MOV file smaller without compressing

Another way to reduce the size of your MOV file is to trim it and crop out any irrelevant sections. While this approach will reduce the file size, the downside is that the final output quality may drop when you use basic tools.

CameraBag Pro is my alternative for high-quality video compression. It's an intuitive photo and video editing app for Mac users. The learning curve is less complicated than in other pro editing tools, plus you get many presets for your edits. 

Follow these steps to make a MOV file smaller with CameraBag Pro.

1. Download and open CameraBag Pro.
2. Drag and drop the video into the app window.
3. Choose File > Save As.
4. Select the video resolution, file type, and quality. For example (h.264, ProRes 422 (mov), 85).
5. Choose Save.

   

With CameraBag Pro, you can easily adjust the compression settings to find the right balance between file size and quality you need. The app's user-friendly interface and presets make it a simple solution for cropping and compressing MOV files without sacrificing quality.

Why compress MOV files on Mac

Let's do a quick overview of the benefits of MOV compression:

• Free up space. MOV files can take up a lot of space (I mean, really a lot!), which can be used for other data. Or for better system efficiency.

• Enhance playback performance. A smaller MOV file size can play back more smoothly on devices with slower processors.

• Share files seamlessly. When you compress MOV files, you make them smaller. This allows you to share large files via email, social media apps, and devices.

Sometimes, you can even compress videos for the sake of compression – just because you don’t need those big files. And that’s also okay.

Get the best video compression software from Setapp

There are many apps you can use to compress .mov files on Mac, and the choice ultimately depends on the features and ease of use. 

• QuickTime is the simple option, but it will also reduce your quality significantly.

• iMovie adds editing options besides compression, as it’s more of a video editor.

• Permute will let you compress multiple files at once, and you can even choose to convert all of them to another format.

• CameraBag Pro will let you fine-tune the video using presets, and you can then compress without losing quality.

• iBoysoft MagicMenu gives you a one-touch compression option as it adds it to the right-click menu.

Thanks to Setapp, you can get all of Permute, CameraBag Pro, and iBoysoft MagicMenu, plus 250+ more apps, starting from just $9.9/mo. 

Ready to explore the Setapp platform and enjoy access to multiple tools for a single subscription? Sign up now to start your 7-day free trial!