MOV to AVI: How to Successfully Convert without Quality Loss

How to convert MOV to AVI? A file format makes a huge difference in how your video will perform once you share it with the world. In this case, it is understandable to convert files due to incompatibility or editing restrictions. With that said, this article is designed to provide the best tools to convert MOV files on Windows, Mac, and iPhone.

Part 1. What's the Difference Between MOV and AVI?

MOV is a file format created by Apple for storing data such as video, audio, and text. It is suitable for the multimedia tracks used in most professional work environments. On the other hand, AVI is an old format developed by Microsoft in the 1990s. It is known for its simplicity and broader compatibility.

It is easy to spot the difference between these two formats. For one, MOV offers better compression ratios, while AVI tends to have larger file sizes due to its inefficient compression. Additionally, MOV can be very restrictive to share, as it is only supported on Apple devices, and you will need to convert it to other widely supported formats just to share it. Meanwhile, AVI is supported on various platforms like Windows, Android, Linux, and more, making it open for editing and widespread sharing.

Part 2. The Quickest Methods to Convert MOV to AVI Online

Just by searching online, you can find a long list of converters to change video formats. Check out our top-recommended online tools for converting MOV to AVI.

1. AVAide Free Video Converter Online

AVAide Free Video Converter Online is a generous online tool that offers free conversion of any video or audio format. It has an ad-free website interface, where you can easily work on your videos without interruption. The online tool is also known for its high-quality output, converting files without loss of quality. Furthermore, it offers reliable conversion speed, so you don't have to wait long for conversions. Here's how to convert MOV to AVI using AVAide:

Step 1Go to your browser and search for AVAide Free Video Converter Online. Simply click the Add Your Files button to upload.

Step 2Once the MOV file is uploaded successfully, choose the desired output format.

Step 3Click the Convert button to start the process. Download the converted file to save on your computer. Repeat as needed.

2. Zamzar

Do you need another free MOV-to-AVI converter? Zamzar will take the second lead as a good online converter. It is an outstanding alternative as it offers a quick conversion for most media files. Not only that, it provides a comprehensive list of specific converters, making it easier to find the file formats you are aiming for. It is also noteworthy that Zamzar protects uploaded files, so it is safe to use for an immediate conversion.

Step 1On the official MOV-to-AVI converter website, upload the file you want to convert.

Step 2Open the dropdown menu next to Convert To and select AVI as the output format. Click Convert Now to convert the video.

3. Clideo

Clideo is best known as an online video editor, offering the editing tools you could think of. But another good thing about it is its offer of free conversion of well-known formats. Not to mention, it lets you use its editing options for free, but you will need to make sure your file is small, as using Clideo can take time.

Step 1Click Choose File in Clideo to select and upload a video file.

Step 2Choose AVI from the Video Format. To export MOV to AVI, click the Convert button.

Part 3. Best Method for Windows to Convert MOV to AVI

Even though online tools are convenient for quick conversions, third-party applications can offer advanced settings for better results. Let's take a look at the best applications for Windows.

1. AVAide Video Converter

What is better to use than a dedicated converter on Windows? AVAide Video Converter primarily supports conversion of almost 300 formats, including popular and rare files like AVI, HEVC, MKV, MP4, and more. It adds options to tweak the output settings, including sample rate, resolution, bitrate, and encoders. As it is designed for high-speed conversions, AVAide can convert multiple files and even supports different output formats for each. This video converter is what you need for a good MOV-to-AVI conversion.

Step 1How to change MOV to AVI? Download the software and finish the installation. Drag and drop the video on the main interface.

Step 2Go to Settings, and change the output format to AVI. Optionally, you can tweak the output settings, such as resolution and quality.

Step 3Click the Convert All button to start the conversion. Repeat the process or upload multiple videos to process in batches.

2. VLC

Although it is a media player, VLC is also a simple conversion tool for a variety of tasks, including MOV to AVI, MP4 to AVI, and more. Although it does not focus on conversion, this hidden option is a good alternative for an immediate process. Here are the steps to get started with VLC Media Player:

Step 1Go to Media and select the Convert/Save option. When the dialog box appears, click Add to choose the video you want to convert. Click Convert/Save to proceed.

Step 2In the Profile menu, choose AVI as the output format. Select a destination folder, then click the Start button to convert MOV to AVI.

3. FFmpeg

FFmpeg offers a genuine encoding technique to convert MOV to AVI on Windows. It can also convert MOV to DivX, which is based on AVI but with subtitle and chapter support. It is free to use, but it can be challenging if you are a beginner or not tech-savvy. However, you can try this solution by following the steps below:

Step 1Create a blank folder on your local drive and give it a name you will remember. Download the FFmpeg package from the official website.

Step 2Unzip the package and relocate the files to the folder you created previously. Open Run, then type 'cmd'. At the command line, type 'cd' and enter the name of the created folder.

Step 3By the next line, type 'cd bin' to launch the folder and ffmpeg.exe. Copy the following command line to convert MOV to AVI: ffmpeg -i yourvideoname.mov -c:v libx264 outputfilename.avi.

Part 4. Best Method for Mac to Convert MOV to AVI

Check the following options for converting MOV to AVI on Mac. Included here is a native tool on Mac and a dedicated tool to try.

1. QuickTime

QuickTime Player is the designated media player for Mac. However, it can also convert MOV files via iMovie HD first. Here are the steps you should follow to make it possible with QuickTime:

Step 1Open the file in iMovie HD. From the File menu, click Share. Choose QuickTime from the dialog pop-up.

Step 2Select Compress Movie For from the dropdown menu, then pick the Expert Settings option.

Step 3Click the Share button to open another dialog pop-up. Then, choose Movie to AVI under the Export menu. Continue until the file is saved as AVI.

2. VSDC

VSDC is a free video editor that offers a wide range of options for converting, editing, and so on. Its support for a wide range of video formats makes it a good alternative for converting MOV to AVI. Follow these steps to get started with VSDC:

Step 1Launch the software to convert MOV to AVI, then import a file. Navigate to the Export Project menu and choose PC from the Media Device submenu.

Step 2Pick AVI as the output format and choose the desired save location. Start the process by clicking the Export Project button.

Part 5. Best Method for Mobile to Convert MOV to AVI on Phone

Unfortunately, there is no native way to convert MOV files to other formats on iPhone, other than MP4. However, the workaround in this situation is to use online converters through Safari. In this case, here's how to convert MOV to AVI using CloudConvert on iPhone:

Step 1Go to Safari and search for CloudConvert. Click the Choose File button to import the MOV file.

Step 2Select the AVI output format from the Video menu. Click Start Conversion to process.

Part 6. Alternative Approach – Two-Step Conversion with HandBrake

HandBrake is known as a professional transcoding tool. But for some reason, it does not support converting files to AVI. Why is that?

1. Why HandBrake Doesn't Support AVI

AVI is already an outdated format, so HandBrake removed support for it because it cannot handle modern video features such as subtitles, variable frame rates, and chapters. Moreover, the format does not support large file sizes, and HandBrake already has maintenance issues just to keep it supported.

2. The Workaround: MOV → MP4 → AVI

You can still use HandBrake for converting MOV to AVI. First, you will need to choose MP4 as the output format using the software. Once done, choose a third-party or online tool to convert MP4 to AVI.

3. When to Use This Method

It is recommended to use this workaround when your device does not support any way to convert MOV to AVI, and HandBrake is already installed. Furthermore, you can use the method to distribute AVI files across platforms like Linux and Android as uncompressed data for later editing.

By Sylvie Hyde on Aug 21, 2026