MOV is Apple's container; MP4 is everybody's. Where you convert matters.
Use an online converter when:
- It is one file under 200MB. CloudConvert, FreeConvert, and Zamzar all handle this free.
- You are on a borrowed machine with nothing installed.
- You do not care who sees the file. Client footage should never go through a random web converter.
Use desktop software when:
- You have more than three files. Batch conversion in HandBrake or Shutter Encoder beats uploading one by one. - The file is gigabytes. Uploading a 4GB MOV to convert it is slower than converting locally. - Quality matters. Desktop tools let you control bitrate and codecs; web tools pick for you. - Privacy matters. FFmpeg and HandBrake never upload anything. Sources: FFmpeg, HandBrake The rule: under 200MB and non-sensitive, online is fine. Anything else, HandBrake (free) or FFmpeg (free) on your own machine. Faster, private, and no file size caps.