The best video compressor for Mac
By Himanshu Ranjan · Updated 8 November 2026
HandBrake is the best free video compressor for Mac if you want full control over codecs and quality. FileDial is faster to use when you just need a file under 25 MB or at 720p. QuickTime Player can export smaller resolutions for free, Permute is a friendly paid converter, and FFmpeg suits command-line users.
How we chose: FileDial is our product, so read this list with that in mind. We chose picks for video compression from each vendor's own published information (product pages, pricing pages, support docs and privacy statements), checked on 2026-11-09, plus FileDial's own documented behavior. We did not lab-test every tool or run size or speed benchmarks on the others, so we quote no numbers for them. Order reflects fit for this search, not who made the app. Checked 2026-11-09.
1. HandBrake
HandBrake is an open-source video transcoder for Mac, Windows and Linux, built by volunteers. It converts most common video files to MP4, MKV or WebM, crops and resizes, and is designed to make smaller files than the originals. It does not combine clips, always re-encodes video, and does not work with DRM-protected files.
- Free on Mac, Windows and Linux
- Deep control and presets
- Crop, resize and subtitle options
- Many settings to learn
- Cannot join clips or pass video through untouched
2. FileDial
FileDial is our app. Select videos in Finder, open the dial and choose Compress › Compress under 25 MB, Compress under 10 MB, Compress to 720p, Compress to size… or Compress by percentage…, and a smaller copy is saved beside the original. On a MacBook, a 366 MB 1080p video compressed to 720p in 23 seconds, 117 MB out.
- Size and resolution presets, no codec settings
- Batch: run one tool on many videos
- Works with Wi-Fi off
- Less fine control than HandBrake
- Not free after the 1-day trial
- Needs macOS 14 or later on an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or newer)
3. QuickTime Player (built into macOS)
Choose File > Export As and pick 4K, 1080p, 720p or 480p; for 4K and 1080p you can choose HEVC for a smaller file or H.264 for compatibility. Apple notes QuickTime Player does not export MP4, so you get a MOV. There is no file-size target.
- Already installed
- HEVC option for smaller 1080p and 4K files
- Very simple
- Exports MOV, not MP4
- No size target or bitrate control
- One file at a time
4. Permute
Permute is a Mac media converter for video, audio, images and PDFs with presets and a drag-and-drop queue, and it can apply edits individually or in bulk. Permute 4 requires macOS 26 and Apple silicon; Permute 3 is sold for macOS 11 to 15 and Intel Macs.
- Friendly interface with presets
- Handles audio and images too
- One-time price or Setapp
- Current version needs macOS 26
- Less granular than HandBrake
5. FFmpeg
FFmpeg is the multimedia framework many video apps build on, with a command-line tool that converts between formats. It runs on Mac, Windows, Linux and more. It is the most flexible option here, but you need to be comfortable writing commands.
- Most flexible and scriptable
- Free and cross-platform
- Handles almost any format
- Command line only
- Easy to pick poor settings
Which video compressor fits your job
Most people compress a video for one of two reasons: it has to fit a limit (an email attachment, a chat app, a form that caps uploads), or it just takes up too much space. The first is about hitting a number; the second is about keeping quality while saving space. Different tools suit each.
HandBrake ranks first because it is free, open source, cross-platform and gives you real control over quality and codecs, which matters most when you care about the result. FileDial is second because it removes the settings: you choose a size or resolution target and get a file, which is quicker when you just need the clip under a limit. QuickTime Player is the zero-install option, Permute is a polished paid alternative, and FFmpeg is for automation.
Resolution, codec and bitrate in plain terms
File size is driven mostly by bitrate, the amount of data per second. Lowering resolution (1080p to 720p) lets you lower bitrate without the picture looking blocky on a phone or laptop screen. Switching codec from H.264 to HEVC usually gives a smaller file at similar quality, but some older devices and websites handle H.264 better.
If you need a specific size, a tool that targets size directly saves trial and error. FileDial's Compress under 25 MB and Compress to size… do this. In HandBrake you can set an average bitrate yourself; in QuickTime Player you can only change resolution.
Why compress locally instead of online
Video files are large, so uploading them to an online compressor and downloading the result is slow on most connections. Personal footage of family, homes or workplaces is also exactly the kind of file you may not want on someone else's server. Every pick on this list runs on your Mac, so the file never leaves it.
The FBI's Denver field office warned in March 2025 that free online converters are increasingly used to spread malware, which is another reason to keep conversions on your own machine.
A quick free method with QuickTime Player
Open the clip in QuickTime Player, choose File > Export As, then pick a resolution. For 1080p or 4K, choose Smaller File Size (HEVC) in the Format menu. Name the file and click Save. This is a good first try for one clip; for batches or size targets, move to HandBrake or FileDial.
Questions
What is the best free video compressor for Mac?
HandBrake is the strongest free option: it is open source, runs on Mac, Windows and Linux, and gives detailed control over codec, quality and resolution. QuickTime Player, already on every Mac, is simpler but can only export at fixed resolutions such as 720p or 480p and saves MOV files.
How do I compress a video to under 25 MB on a Mac?
Use a tool that targets size. In FileDial, select the video and choose Compress › Compress under 25 MB. In HandBrake, lower the resolution and set an average bitrate that fits your clip's length. QuickTime Player cannot target a size; you can only drop the resolution and check the result.
Does compressing a video reduce quality?
Usually a little, because the video is re-encoded with less data. Dropping to 720p and using a modern codec keeps it looking good on phones and laptops. Keep the original, compare the copy before deleting anything, and avoid compressing the same file repeatedly.