To compress a video on Mac, open it in QuickTime Player and choose File > Export As with a lower resolution like 720p. Finder and iMovie can do it too, all for free. When you need an exact size, such as 25 MB for email, use the MobileStudio Video Compressor in your browser instead, because the built-in apps only let you pick a resolution.
The short answer
| Method | Where | Exact size? | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickTime Player | Built in | No | One video, fast |
| Finder, Encode Selected Video Files | Built in | No | Several videos at once |
| iMovie | Free from Apple | No | When you're editing anyway |
| MobileStudio Video Compressor | Browser | Yes | Hitting 20 or 25 MB |
| HandBrake | Free download | Close | Full control |
How do I compress a video on Mac with QuickTime?
- Open the video in QuickTime Player.
- Choose File > Export As.
- Pick 1080p, 720p, or 480p.
- Save the file.
Apple's guide to exporting movies in QuickTime lists the formats. Exporting a 4K clip at 1080p usually cuts its size by well over half. QuickTime can also switch HEVC video to H.264 here, which makes the file play on more devices but slightly larger.
How do I compress several videos at once on Mac?
Finder has a hidden batch encoder:
- Select one or more videos in Finder.
- Right-click and choose Encode Selected Video Files.
- Pick a setting such as 720p, choose where to save, and click Continue.
The encoded copies appear next to the originals. It's the quickest way to shrink a whole folder of screen recordings.
How do I compress a video in iMovie on Mac?
If you're already editing in iMovie, export at a lower setting:
- Choose File > Share > File.
- Set Resolution to 720p or 1080p.
- Set Quality to Medium or Low for smaller files.
- Click Next and save.
iMovie shows an estimated file size before you export, which helps you aim for a limit by trial and error.
How do I compress a video on Mac to an exact size?
Use a tool that works backwards from the size:
- Open the MobileStudio Video Compressor in Safari or Chrome.
- Drop in the video.
- Choose 20 MB (Discord), 25 MB (email), or a custom size.
- Press Compress and download the MP4.
It picks the resolution for you and re-encodes smaller if the first try lands over. Everything runs on your Mac, so nothing is uploaded.
How do I compress a video with HandBrake on Mac?
HandBrake is free and open source. Open your video, pick a preset like Fast 1080p30, and click Start. For quality-based encoding, HandBrake's quality guide recommends RF 20 to 24 for 1080p; a higher number means a smaller file. For a target size, choose Avg Bitrate on the Video tab and do the math: bitrate in kbps ≈ size in MB × 8,000 ÷ length in seconds.
Which Mac method keeps the best quality?
For the same file size, they're close. The real quality lever is resolution: at small sizes, a clean 720p looks better than a starved 1080p. Trim first with the video trimmer and you can afford more quality for what's left. The full background is in how to compress a video.
Recording app demos on your Mac? Screen recordings compress very well because most of the screen stays still. Phone recordings work the same way; see how to screen record on iPhone.
Where MobileStudio fits
The compressor is one of our free tools. MobileStudio itself turns phone screen recordings into polished app demos, without the laptop step. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
Does Mac have a built-in video compressor?
Yes, two. QuickTime's Export As and Finder's Encode Selected Video Files both save smaller copies.
How do I reduce a video's file size on Mac without losing quality?
Export at the lowest resolution that still looks right on the screen it'll be watched on, and trim unneeded parts first.
Can I compress a video on Mac to under 25 MB?
Yes. Use the MobileStudio Video Compressor and pick 25 MB, or try QuickTime at 720p and check the size.
Is HandBrake safe on Mac?
Yes. It's free, open source, and widely used. Download it only from the official site.
Why is my QuickTime export bigger than the original?
Usually because you exported HEVC video as H.264, which is less efficient. Keep HEVC for smaller files, or lower the resolution.
