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MOV File - What is a .mov file and how do I open it?
Learn about .MOV files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a MOV file? A MOV file is one of the most common video file types, often storing a movie, TV show, short video clip, or home movie. It is saved in the QuickTime File Format (QTFF), a multimedia container format developed by Apple. Video editors often save video as MOV files due to their support for high-quality video.
More Information MOV file open in Apple QuickTime Player Apple introduced the QTFF format in 1991 to support different media types and accommodate multimedia transfer between devices, operating systems, and applications. While it is primarily associated with the QuickTime media player and Mac platform, it has grown into one of the most common video file types, along with .MP4 , .WMV , and .AVI . The format supports multiple media tracks and is not limited to video and audio data. Other media supported by QTFF includes text (subtitles), images, 3D models, virtual reality panoramas, and timecode data. Media tracks may be encoded by various codecs but typically utilize the MPEG-4 codec. NOTE: Multimedia files saved in the QTFF format may also use the .QT file extension. Should I save video as a MOV file or MP4 file? While the MP4 format is based on the QTFF format utilized by MOV files, there are noteworthy differences between MP4 and MOV files. One difference is that MOV files are typically higher in quality and file size than MP4 files. Another difference is that MOV files are not as widely supported as MP4 files. Because of these differences, there are situations where each file type is better suited for your needs. For example, if you want to save a movie at a higher quality and storage space is not an issue, you should save the movie as a MOV file (as long as the video player supports MOV files). However, if you want to save a home movie, share it with others, and can accept a bit of degradation in quality, you should save it as an MP4 file.
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DeveloperApple
Popularity3.5 | 820 Votes
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.MOV File Extension
Apple QuickTime Movie
| Developer | Apple |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 820 Votes |
NEW: Open your .MOV file online with File Helper . View Online
What is a MOV file?
A MOV file is one of the most common video file types, often storing a movie, TV show, short video clip, or home movie. It is saved in the QuickTime File Format (QTFF), a multimedia container format developed by Apple. Video editors often save video as MOV files due to their support for high-quality video.
More Information
MOV file open in Apple QuickTime Player
Apple introduced the QTFF format in 1991 to support different media types and accommodate multimedia transfer between devices, operating systems, and applications. While it is primarily associated with the QuickTime media player and Mac platform, it has grown into one of the most common video file types, along with .MP4 , .WMV , and .AVI .
The format supports multiple media tracks and is not limited to video and audio data. Other media supported by QTFF includes text (subtitles), images, 3D models, virtual reality panoramas, and timecode data. Media tracks may be encoded by various codecs but typically utilize the MPEG-4 codec.
NOTE: Multimedia files saved in the QTFF format may also use the .QT file extension.
Should I save video as a MOV file or MP4 file?
While the MP4 format is based on the QTFF format utilized by MOV files, there are noteworthy differences between MP4 and MOV files. One difference is that MOV files are typically higher in quality and file size than MP4 files. Another difference is that MOV files are not as widely supported as MP4 files.
Because of these differences, there are situations where each file type is better suited for your needs. For example, if you want to save a movie at a higher quality and storage space is not an issue, you should save the movie as a MOV file (as long as the video player supports MOV files). However, if you want to save a home movie, share it with others, and can accept a bit of degradation in quality, you should save it as an MP4 file.
How to open a MOV file
You can open MOV files with various multimedia players, such as Apple QuickTime Player (Mac), Microsoft Media Player (Windows), and VLC media player (multiplatform).
You can also open MOV files in Android and iOS with VLC for Android , VLC for iOS , olimsoft OPlayer (iOS), and J2 Interactive MX Player (Android).
How to convert a MOV file
Several media players and video editors, including VideoLAN VLC media player and Eltima Elmedia Player, can convert MOV files to other formats.
For example, VLC media player can convert MOV files to the following formats:
Programs that open MOV files
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FFmpeg
Free
Windows
File Viewer Plus
—
Get it from Microsoft
Free +
Microsoft Media Player
Included with OS
Microsoft Windows Media Player
Included with OS
Roxio Creator NXT Pro 9
Paid
CyberLink PowerDVD 21
Free Trial
Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate
Free Trial
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Adobe Premiere Rush
Free Trial
Mac
Apple QuickTime Player
Included with OS
Eltima Elmedia Player
Free +
Roxio Toast 20
Paid
Roxio Popcorn
Paid
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Adobe Premiere Rush
Free Trial
Linux
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Web
FileHelper.com
Free
Google Drive
Free +
iOS
olimsoft OPlayer
Paid
VideoLAN VLC for Mobile
Free
Google Drive
Free +
Adobe Premiere Rush
Free Trial
Android
Videolabs VLC for Android
Free
J2 Interactive MX Player
Free
Google Drive
Free +
Adobe Premiere Rush
Free Trial
Category: Video Files
Updated: July 26, 2025