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What is MOV?

Apple QuickTime Movie

MOV is Apple's QuickTime container format, widely used in professional video editing workflows. It supports multiple tracks of video, audio, effects and text in a single file with minimal quality loss.

Convert MOV filesAll video conversions

History of MOV

MOV was developed by Apple in 1991 as the file format for QuickTime, then a revolutionary technology that let computers play synchronized audio and video. It influenced the design of MP4 a decade later (which is part of why the two are so similar). MOV remains the native format for Apple's professional video tools, including Final Cut Pro and ProRes workflows.

Technical specs

Format name
Apple QuickTime Movie
File extension
.mov
MIME type
video/quicktime
Category
Video
Compression
Compressed

When to use MOV

Reach for MOV when you need editing in final cut pro or premiere pro, macos and ios native playback, professional video production, storing high-quality master files. It excels at these scenarios because excellent quality for editing and native on macos and ios.

Pros

  • +Excellent quality for editing
  • +Native on macOS and iOS
  • +Supports multiple tracks and metadata

When to avoid MOV

Avoid MOV when larger file sizes than mp4, and limited support on windows and android. In those cases, look at the alternatives below.

Cons

  • −Larger file sizes than MP4
  • −Limited support on Windows and Android

Common uses for MOV

Alternatives to MOV

If you need broader compatibility (especially on Windows and Android), look at MP4. For movie archival with multiple subtitle tracks, look at MKV.

MP4MPEG-4 Part 14AVIAudio Video InterleaveMKVMatroska VideoWebMWebM (VP8/VP9)WMVWindows Media VideoFLVFlash Video

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MOV — Frequently Asked Questions

Is MOV still used in 2026?

Yes, MOV is actively used. Editing in Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro keeps it relevant.

Can I open a MOV file on my phone?

iPhones open MOV natively. Android needs a player like VLC, or you should convert to MP4 first for hassle-free playback.

Why is my MOV file so large?

MOV is uncompressed or lightly compressed — every detail of the original signal is preserved. That fidelity costs disk space. To shrink files significantly, convert to a more compressed format from the same category.

Can I convert MOV to another format for free?

Yes — Zen Convert converts MOV files to every other video format we support, for free, in your browser. No signup, no watermark.

Is MOV open-source?

MOV is Apple's format. The container spec is published, but the most common codec used inside (Apple ProRes) is proprietary.

What is MOV? — Apple QuickTime Movie Format Explained | Zen Convert