11 Best Solutions to Compress MP4 Video on PC, Mobile, and Online

MP4 is pretty much the standard video format these days. It works on almost everything efficiently. Still, some MP4s end up way bigger than you'd like, which makes uploading or downloading them a real pain. The fix is straightforward: compress the MP4 video. This post covers some of the most reliable ways to do it.

Part 1. Best Ways to Compress MP4: Quick Comparison

Best for Windows/Mac: AVAide Video Converter has a straightforward desktop workflow with adjustable compression settings and batch processing.

Best for advanced compression settings: HandBrake if you want deeper control over codecs, presets, bitrate, filters, and output behavior.

Best for Mac without extra software: QuickTime if you only need a quick size reduction on a Mac without installation. Note that it exports video as MOV, not MP4.

Best for browser: FreeConvert or VEED.IO if you prefer not to install software. FreeConvert is useful when you want to work toward a target size.

Best for Android: Use Video Compressor – Video to MP4 for quick basic compression on Android.

Best for iPhone/iPad: Video Compressor - HD for customizable dimensions, frame rate, quality, and bitrate.

Part 2. What Affects MP4 File Size?

MP4 is a container, which you can imagine as a box containing video and audio streams. The file size really comes down to those streams inside it. The biggest factors are resolution, bitrate, frame rate, codec, video length, and audio settings. Lowering any of these will usually make the file smaller, though it can also hurt the visual quality or smoothness. So the adjustment depends on your preference.

Resolution: Resolution is the total number of pixels in each dimension. More pixels, larger files.

Video bitrate: Bitrate controls how much data is used for each second of video. Lowering it an easy way to shrink the file, but going too far will create blocks or banding.

Frame rate: Frame rate is how many pictures flash by every second. Reducing it from 60 fps to 30 fps can save space when you don't need super smooth motion.

Codec: The codec is the method used to compress the video. Newer ones like HEVC often give you a smaller file at about the same quality as H.264, though not every device plays them as easily.

Video length: Cutting out unnecessary sections reduces file size directly.

Audio: Lowering audio bitrate or removing unnecessary audio tracks can shave off a little more.

Part 3. Compress MP4 Offline (Windows & Mac)

AVAide Video Converter

AVAide Video Converter is a desktop video tool for Windows and Mac. Its Video Compressor lets you tweak output file size, resolution, and bitrate yourself instead of being stuck with a fixed compression level. It also supports batch processing and includes basic video editing tools, so it's handy if you need to shrink several files at once or make a few small changes before you export.

Compress MP4 without Losing Quality using AVAide Video Converter:

Step 1First, download the AVAide Video Converter on your computer. Follow the on-screen guide to install the tool. Then, launch it.

Step 2Then, select Toolbox on the top menu and choose the Video Compressor option.

Step 3Click the Plus button on the Video Compressor window to add the MP4 video you want to compress. Customize the video settings to compress your MP4 video file.

Step 4Alternatively, click the Preview button to see a glimpse of the output video. Choose where to store the compressed file from the Save to drop-down menu. Once done, hit the Compress button. Finally, wait until your MP4 video is compressed already.

QuickTime

How to compress an MP4 file on a Mac? If you’re a Mac user, you can use QuickTime to adjust the file size of your MP4 video. QuickTime is a multimedia framework and player developed by Apple. While primarily known for playback, it can perform basic video compression tasks. But note that QuickTime exports videos as QuickTime movies (.mov) using H.264 or HEVC. It doesn't support direct MP4 output.

Steps to Compress MP4 with QuickTime:

Step 1Launch the QuickTime app on your Mac computer. Click the File at the upper menu. Now, select Open File from the drop-down menu.

Step 2Next, choose and add the MP4 video you wish to compress. Click the File again and choose Export As option.

Step 3Now, choose a format like 480p for compression from the drop-down menu. You can adjust the settings if needed. Lastly, hit the Save button to compress and export the MP4 video.

HandBrake

HandBrake is a popular open-source video transcoder available for both Windows and Mac. It's known for its advanced video compression capabilities. Using it, you can compress your file exactly how you want it. Below are the detailed features, pros, cons, and steps to use it.

Steps to Compress MP4 using HandBrake:

Step 1Download and install HandBrake on your Windows or Mac PC. Launch the tool and click the Open Source to add your MP4 file.

Step 2Next, select a preset or configure compression settings manually. You can adjust video settings like resolution and bitrate.

Step 3Click the File from the upper tab and choose Start Encode to begin the compression process. Finally, the compressed video will be saved to your chosen location.

VLC

Users can also compress MP4 on VLC media player on their computers. Aside from being a popular tool to play media files, it offers a few editing features, like compressing a video file, rotating videos, etc. It also offers several ways to reduce the file size of your video.

Steps on How to Compress MP4 with VLC:

Step 1Start by downloading and installing VLC on your PC. Then, launch the software.

Step 2Next, click the Media button and choose Convert / Save from the drop-down menu.

Step 3Afterward, click the Add button and add your MP4 file. Once done, hit the Convert / Save button at the bottom-right corner of the Open Media window.

Step 4On the next window, choose the icon for Edit selected profile. Then, head to the Video codec tab and adjust bitrate, quality, etc., to compress your file. Finally, hit the Save button.

Part 4. MP4 Compressors Online

In this part, we have compiled a list of tools to perform MP4 compression online. Choose the best suits your needs in compressing your video file.

Option 1. VEED.IO

VEED’s MP4 video compressor is a web-based tool that will make your MP4 video smaller. It's designed to be user-friendly and accessible in a web browser. But note that when you reduce an MP4 file size with VEED.IO, there will be minimal quality loss.

Steps to Compress MP4 with VEED.IO:

Step 1Go to the official website of VEED.IO MP4 Compressor. Once there, click the Compress your video option and Upload a File to add your MP4 video.

Step 2After that, customize the Compression Settings according to your preferences. You can also adjust its Advanced settings. When you’re ready, hit the Compress Video button.

Option 2. XConvert

XConvert is an online file conversion platform that includes video compression services. It allows users to convert and compress various file types, including MP4 videos. There is also no watermark included in the output files.

Steps to Compress MP4 with XConvert:

Step 1Firstly, go to the website of XConvert Compress MP4. On its main interface, click the Add Files button and add your MP4 file.

Step 2Optionally, you can customize the provided Options before compression. Lastly, hit the Compress button. Wait until the process is finished and Download the file.

Option 3. FreeConvert

Another way to compress MP4 video to smaller size online for free is through FreeConvert. It is an online file conversion that also allows users to compress video files. It supports various file formats, including the MP4 format. Additionally, it offers advanced settings to reduce your video’s file size.

Steps to Compress MP4 with FreeConvert:

Step 1Navigate FreeConvert Video Compressor. After which, click the Choose Files button to upload your MP4 video.

Step 2Using the Advanced settings, optionally customize the settings of your video. When you’re satisfied, hit the Compress Now! button to begin the compression process.

Option 4. Clideo

Clideo’s Compress MP4 is a feature-rich online video compressor. It is also a cloud-based solution allowing users to upload directly from Google Drive, Google Photos, and Dropbox. It is compatible with most modern video formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, and more to compress them.

Steps to Compress MP4 with Clideo:

Step 1Head to the Clideo Compress MP4 for Free website. Next, hit the Choose File button and add your MP4 file.

Step 2Then, wait until the uploading process is done.

Part 5. How to Compress MP4 on Mobile (iOS & Android)

Video Compressor-Video to MP4

Video Compressor-Video to MP4 is a mobile app available on Android. The app specializes in compressing video files, including MP4.

How to Compress MP4 Video Compressor-Video to MP4:

Step 1To begin, download Video Compressor-Video to MP4 from the Google Play Store.

Step 2Open the app and tap the Compress function. Then, allow the app to access your device’s gallery. Now, select the MP4 file you want to compress.

Step 3Then, customize the resolution for your video. Next, tap the Save button at the top-right-hand corner of your screen. Finally, tap the COMPRESS option. And that’s it!

Video Compressor – HD

Video Compressor - HD is an app for iPhone and iPad that shrinks video files by letting you adjust the dimensions, frame rate, quality, and bitrate directly. It can also show you a size estimate before it starts processing, and it supports HEVC encoding on devices that can handle it.

How to Compress MP4 with Video Compressor – HD:

Step 1Get the app from the App Store. Launch it and import a video from your camera roll.

Step 2Adjust the video dimensions, frame rate, and quality by dragging the sliders. The estimated output file size is presented next to the video thumbnail in real time. Tap the thumbnail, and you can preview the compressed video.

Step 3When you're happy with the result, tap the Export button in the top-right corner.

Part 6: Recommended MP4 Compression Settings by Platform

The best compression settings depend on where you plan to send or upload the MP4. Check the practical tips for compressing videos for Discord, Gmail, WhatsApp, and YouTube.

Part 7. FAQs About How to Compress MP4

Can iMovie compress MP4 on Mac?

Of course, yes. iMovie allows you to compress MP4 files by changing the size like 480p, 360p, and more.

Does compressing MP4 affect quality?

Definitely, yes. It is important to note that when you compress a video, it will affect the quality. This process usually reduces elements such as resolutions, bitrate, etc.

Is MP4 a compressed format?

Yes. MP4 files are typically compressed and smaller than other video formats. Most MP4 videos you encounter online or on devices are compressed. It reduces file size while maintaining acceptable quality.

Can an iPhone compress MP4 video without third-party apps?

Unfortunately, no. There is no default way to compress an MP4 file on an iPhone. Thus, you need to use a third-party app.

By Sylvie Hyde on Sep 20, 2026