Highest quality
Choose MOV.
Best for professional editing, broadcast, or projects requiring color grading or VFX.
MOV files keep more image data, but they are large and can slow down your computer, especially with 4K footage.
Many editing programs support proxy editing (low-resolution previews), so you can edit smoothly while keeping full-quality MOV files for final export — if you have the storage space.
Smaller file size
Choose MP4.
Excellent visual quality at a fraction of the size.
Easier to store, share, and edit on most computers without bogging down performance.
A great option for school projects, presentations, and quick edits.
Social media
Most platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.) expect a 1080p MP4 file as the final upload.
Even if you start editing in higher resolution, your final export for social media will almost always be an MP4 at 1080p.
Quick tip
Use MOV if you need maximum editing flexibility and have the hard drive space.
Use MP4 if you want a smoother editing experience and your final goal is sharing online.
Editing in 4K - what to know
Big files, big stress: 4K MOV files can slow down even powerful machines.
Proxy editing helps: Many editors (Premiere Pro, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve) let you create low-res proxy files so you can edit smoothly while keeping full-quality 4K MOV files for the final export.
Goal matters: If you only need social media content, editing the smaller MP4 files directly can give you a much faster, proxy-free workflow. Since most traffic views on mobile, a high-res 4K master isn’t always necessary.
Best of both worlds: Use MOV if you’re delivering high-res or broadcast, and MP4 if your end goal is social and speed.