We explain the difference between MP4 and MOV with table. MP4 and MOV are the two most widely used digital media container formats. These two are normally used to store audio and video files. They both make video much lighter in size by using a lossy video compression approach to maintain video.
Both are very well known video formats and almost all internet users are aware of their value and use as multimedia containers, but when it comes to choosing between them it usually confuses users as they both have very subtle but substantial differences between. they.
On the one hand, MOV is used in Apple’s fast time programs, MPEG-4 Part 14 or MP4, which is based on Apple’s QuickTime format, MOV is used in various devices, including Apple. MP4 is encoded with the same codec as MOV. Although both work efficiently, MOV is proprietary to the Apple file format for QuickTime, and MP4 is an international standard file format. MP4 is a derivative of MOV. Apple released MOV in 1998, while the International Organization for Standardization developed and released the first version 1 of the MP4 format in 2001 and the second version in 2003.
MOV is mainly used in MAC environments. Although MOV and MP4 files will play on MAC, on other devices, it is mandatory to convert MOV files to MP4 or other to play. MOV files show better results on MAC as they are specially designed for QuickTime.
What is MP4?
The first version of the MP4 file format was developed in 2001 and its second version arrived in 2003. Both versions were developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization. It has an .mp4 extension. It uses the MPEG-4 presentation, which means that the presentation is merged using the MPEG-4 BIF index.
This digital multimedia container format is used to store audio and video, but it can also be used to store other data such as images and subtitles. Being a modern container format, it allows transmission over the Internet. The best quality of MP4 videos is that they are universal in format and can be enjoyed on any device. It can be played on Windows XP, Linux, Android, iOS, and other newer Windows devices.
What is MOV?
MOV is a video format tailor-made for Mac and Apple devices. It was developed in 1998 by Apple Inc. Like MP4, MOV is also an ISO standard format and comes with a .mov extension. MOV uses a ‘tracking’ system on its content that makes MOV videos.
It is undoubtedly the most reliable file format for Apple devices as it is an Apple QuickTime Movie file. It also uses the MPEG-4 codec for compression. A MOV file can contain audio, video, timecode, text tracks, and other media. To play MOV on other devices, MOV files can be converted to more standard multimedia file formats using multimedia applications such as VLC media player.
Difference between MP4 and MOV
the differences between MP4 and MAC are based on their compatibility with other devices, the character of their files, their ease of use, and their suitability for various purposes.
Comparison table between MP4 and MOV
| Comparison parameters | MP4 | MOV |
| Compatibility | Compatible with a wide range of devices as it has a universal format | Mainly compatible with Apple devices |
| Character of the files | The files are compressed and smaller | The files are of higher quality and larger size |
| Usability | It is mainly used in operating systems and media players. | Mainly used on Apple devices |
| Suitability | They are suitable for making entertaining videos for Youtube or other social media platforms. | They are suitable for making high-quality videos for professional environments. |
| Disadvantage | Not so friendly with Apple devices | Not so compressible |
Main differences between MP4 and MOV
- When it comes to compatibility, MP4 is compatible with almost all devices, operating systems, and media players other than iOS and MAC devices. While MOV is preferred only for Apple devices, although it is better for a professional environment.
- Both digital media containers are lossy, but the quality of MOV videos is better than MP4. Where MP4 compresses the videos to make them smaller, MOV raises the quality with a larger file size.
- MP4 is commonly used to create videos for entertainment and casual purposes, but when it comes to professional use, such as MOV wins precedence. Although the video quality of MOV is better, MP4 is a better choice for streaming and editing videos.
- Although encoded with the same MPEG-4 codec, both are similar, MP4 is more flexible than MOV. MP4 has more tagging options, while MOV’s proprietary issues are a hindrance, limiting its scope.
- If one is working on Mac, MOV is safer and more efficient because MOV is tailor-made for Apple devices and is supposed to offer high quality, whether it is used for playback or editing in a professional environment. If one is working on Windows, Ubuntu or Linux, then MP4 will prove to be a smart choice due to its increased multiplayer support.
Final Thought
Both MP4 and MOV are just multimedia containers, so the choice always depends on the type of users’ preference and where they want to use them. They are both more or less the same since they both use the same codec. What makes them different from each other is their compatibility. For one thing, where MAC is most compatible with iOS or Mac OS, MP4 is known for its versatility, as it can be used in many media players and operating systems.
The choice between MOV and MP4 also depends on the objectives. For example, if you want to use videos on social media platforms or the Internet in general, then the MP4 format is the most suitable. The image quality is good, the file size is smaller, and almost all Internet platforms give preference to MP4 over other video formats. If you want to make a video presentation professionally in meetings or seminars, MOV wins.
It is always possible to convert MOV files to MP4 files and vice versa. This can be easily done in the Apple QuickTime environment without even changing the video encoding. To conclude, it can be said that both formats are good in any case, you can use whatever format you prefer.
