How to Convert Video to MP4 on Mac Easily

People can save various types of videos when download videos from different websites or software. But not all videos are compatible with Mac. To solve this, the best way is to convert to a high compatible video format. MP4 is recommended, because it not only works well with websites or software on all devices, but also suitable for streaming to other devices due to its small size. Therefore, if you are interested, please read this article and it will show you how to convert video to MP4 on Mac in high quality.

 Cisdem Video Converter

The Best Video to MP4 Converter for Mac

• Convert almost all kinds of video formats to MP4, such as MKV, MOV, AVI, WMV, MTS, WebM, etc.
• Get online videos to MP4 from more than 1000 websites, including YouTube, Dailymotion, Twitter, etc.
• Can also rip DVD to MP4, including DVD and Blu-ray discs with copy protection
• Batch download, convert and rip videos in a super fast speed
• Merge different formats of videos into a large MP4 video
• Trim/crop/rotate the video at will
• Support adding special subtitles in .srt or .ass format
• Brighten the video effects
• Can also work on Windows

Free Download macOS 10.13 or later Free Download Windows 10 or later

How to Convert Video to MP4 on Mac with iMovie?

Mac users must be familiar with iMovie, an excellent free video editing software for Mac. If you are seeking for a way to convert video to MP4 on Mac, it is a great option to try iMovie, which offers an extra conversion function to convert some popular video formats to high-quality MP4 video. Due to its editing attribute, it allows users to apply its existing customization feature to edit the target videos before converting.

Steps on how to convert video to MP4 with iMovie:

1. Run iMovie, on the default interface of Project section, click “+” and then select “Movie” to create a new project.
   
2. Directly drag and drop the target video to it. Besides, click “Import Media” button or “File > Open Media” on the top menu bar to upload video is also supported.
3. Click the “Share” icon on the top right corner and then select “File” button to export video as MP4. Or, you can select the added video and then click “File > Share > File” on the top toolbox bar to activate the output setting window.
   
4. On the popped-up window, set the output video parameters based on your mind. But remember not to choose “Best (ProRes)” when you set the output quality. Otherwise, the output format will become to MOV automatically. Once done, click “Next”.
   
5. Another small window pops up for you to change the file name and the output destination. Finally, click “Save” button to get the new MP4 video on your device.
   

However, iMovie can only support a few video codec formats and video container formats (3GP, AVI, M4V, MOV and MP4). If you want to convert other video formats like MKV, MPG, WMV, etc., you need to look for other reliable video to MP4 converters.

How to Convert Video to MP4 on Mac Without iMovie?

#1 Cisdem Video Converter (the Best Way)

If you want to convert any videos to MP4 without limitation, Cisdem Video Converter is undoubtedly the best choice, which supports converting 600+ videos and audios in 30X faster speed with lossless quality, even including 4K quality. Also, it offers an advanced setting that allows users to adjust the encoding video and audio parameters.

Besides, it is designed with an embedded media editor, permitting users to widely customize the videos into their desired looking. At the same time, you can check the editing result through the preview window.

Steps on how to convert video to MP4 on Mac with Cisdem:

1. Get the application

Download and install the latest version of the program on your Mac. Launch it.

Free Download macOS 10.13 or later

2. Upload videos

Stay at the default interface, directly drag and drop any format of the video you want to convert to MP4.

3. Edit the added videos (optional)

Click Pencil icon to open the editing window. On there, you can trim/crop/rotate the video, add effects/watermark/subtitles/chapters, and adjust the volume. When all is done, click Save to continue.

4. Select MP4 format

Click the drop-down icon of “Convert all tasks to” to open the format list, click "Video", select “MP4 Video" or "HEVC MP4” option at will. A big difference between them is the quality to size ratio.

If you want to preserve high quality, just select the auto "Same as source" quality option.

5. Edit the file parameters (optional)

If you want to make a custom preset, click the “gearwheel” icon next to the selected MP4 option. Then, you can make your settings in the popped-up window.

6. Batch convert videos to MP4 on Mac

Click “Start” button to start to convert all videos at once. After completing, click on the checkmark icon on the video thumbnail to find them.

#2 HandBrake

HandBrake is a widely popular open-source and free video converter for Mac and Windows. Although its interface is a bit outdated, it is still easy for people to conduct this program. As a free video to MP4 converter, it performs well in all aspects.

A slight shortcoming of this tool is that it can’t batch convert videos. However, it designs an add-to-queue feature to compliment this shortcoming, allowing people to add wanted videos to a queue and convert them one by one automatically, free people from waiting in front of the computer all the time.

Steps on how to convert videos to MP4 for free on Mac with HandBrake:

1. Download and install the Mac version of HandBrake on your computer.
2. Double-click to run it, it automatically pops up a window for you to select the video and click “Open” to load it to the program.
   
3. Move to “Summary” section, make sure MP4 as the output format.
4. Then, go to the bottom of the program, input a suitable file name into the “Save as” box and click “Browse” button to select the output pathway.
5. If you have other videos to convert, click “Add to Queue” on the top, and then click “Open source” to add another video and repeat the steps to make output settings.
6. Once all videos are added, click “Start Queue” to make all videos to MP4 format.
   

#3 MPEG Streamclip

MPEG Streamclip is a decent free video to MP4 converter for Mac that people can choose. It is able to convert popular video formats. One needs to mention is that it can’t really batch convert multiple files. Instead, it is to add several videos and export them into one large video.

Besides converting videos, it can also play and edit the added videos. Although it comes with a clear interface and is easy to use it to play and convert videos indeed, it makes people feel at a loss about the editing features, especially for the first-time users.

Steps on how to convert video to MP4 on Mac with MPEG Streamclip:

1. Download and install MPEG Streamclip from its website. Open it.
   
2. Click “File > Open Files” on the top to upload video for converting.
3. After uploading the video, click “File” on the top menu bar again, select “Export as MPEG-4”.
   
4. Then, an output setting window appears for you to make adjustments as below shows.
   
5. Once done, click “Make MP4”, and a small window will be displayed for you to edit the output name and storage location.
6. Finally, click “Save” button to start converting video to MP4. Meantime, it prompts up a preview window and a progressing bar respectively for you to check the final video effect and encoding process.

#4 Miro Video Converter

For people who just want to convert video to MP4 without any decoration, it is highly recommended to use Miro Video Converter. It shows a pretty simplicity interface, allowing users to master it in seconds. Besides converting to general formats, it can convert videos to other third-party devices such as Apple, Android, etc. Furthermore, this free video to MP4 converter for Mac is able to batch convert multiple files at once.

Steps on how to batch convert video to MP4 on Mac with Miro Video Converter:

1. Get the application on your Mac, open it after installing.
2. Simply drag and drop all videos to the program.
   
3. Click on “Format” button, and then choose “Video > MP4”.
4. Hit on the appearing “Convert to MP4” button to start the converting tasks. After finishing, tap on “Show File” button on the video thumbnail to find them on your local folder.
   

#5 Convert Video to MP4 with Online MP4 Converter

There are a plethora of useful video to MP4 converters that can help you make MP4 files in a few clicks, and free you from downloading any third-party software. However, most online tools are usually limited on file size strictly and are largely dependent on the connected connection. If you don’t mind, it is recommended to try MP4.to.

MP4.to allows you to convert anything to MP4, and MP4 to anything. Unlike other online services, it provides large free capacity for conversion, and supports converting files in batches.

Steps on how to convert video to MP4 online on Mac with MP4.to:

1. Open a browser, visit https://mp4.to/.
   
2. Locate on the “Convert to MP4” section, choose a video format button that you want to convert. In this case, we take MOV as an example. Click “MOV to MP4” button to enter into the main conversion interface.
3. Directly drag and drop all MOV files to target place.
   
4. Click “Convert files” to start to upload and convert MOV to MP4 on Mac.
5. Wait patient for the new files, finally, hit on “Download” button to save them to your computer.

Can QuickTime Player Convert Video to MP4 on Mac?

QuickTime Player is the default media player for Mac that can play MP4 videos on Mac when the encoding codecs are compatible. It offers an extra conversion function to convert the added videos to another format. After experimenting, we got the conclusion that QuickTime Player X can only export videos as MOV, not MP4, .

But, its paid version, QuickTime Player Pro, can make it. Since QuickTime Player Pro has been discontinued, it cannot be found on the website currently. Therefore, only those people who have purchased QuickTime Player Pro before can use it. Below are the simple steps on how to work with it.

1. Open QuickTime Player Pro on your Mac.
2. Click “File > Open File” on the top toolbar to upload and play the video that you want to convert.
3. Then, click “File > Export” on the top toolbar again to open the supported output format list.
4. On the expanding list, select “Movie to MPEG-4”.
   
5. Click “Save” to export the video as MP4 video.

Conclusion

This article has introduced several different but useful programs for you to convert video to MP4 on Mac, including free ones. But, only the professional video converter can help you convert all offline and online videos to MP4 without restriction. Thus, if you want to enjoy all videos and don’t want to install too many applications, Cisdem Video Converter is a preeminent application that deserves for a try, which not only sweeps out the issues that for other application may encounter, but also provides more advanced features to get high quality videos.