Do you need a simple yet powerful video compressor to reduce file size in an instant? We've compiled the best video compressors for Windows and Mac in 2024, so keep reading.
Video files take up a massive amount of storage space, making compression essential for managing file sizes. However, the sheer number of video compression programs available for Windows and Mac can make it challenging to identify the right tools.
In this article, we explore the best video compressors for Windows and Mac in 2024 based on factors such as compression efficiency, speed, interface design, and format support. Whether you need to shrink video files for streaming, email attachments, or to free up disk space, our comparison will help you find the best video compressor that meets all your needs.
Why is Video Compression Important?
Video compression is crucial for several reasons. First, videos occupy a lot of storage space, and managing large video files can be difficult. Compressing videos allows you to store more on your device without worrying about running out of space. Second, compressed videos are easier to share with others; smaller files can be uploaded and downloaded faster, making sharing more convenient via email, cloud storage services, or social media platforms.
What to Look for in a Video Compressor?
Before diving into the best video compressors, it's essential to understand what to look for in a video compressor. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a video compressor:
Compression Ratio
The compression ratio refers to how much a video compressor can reduce file size. A higher compression ratio means the software can significantly decrease the video file size without compromising quality.
Speed
The speed at which a video compressor can compress a video file is another critical factor to consider. A faster video compressor will save you time and allow you to compress multiple videos quickly.
Ease of Use
A video compressor should be user-friendly, even for beginners. Look for software with an intuitive interface and clear compression settings.
Compatibility
Ensure that the video compressor you choose is compatible with your device and operating system.
Best Video Compressors for Windows and Mac 2024
Here’s our list of the best video compressors for Windows and Mac in 2024:
1. VideoProc Converter AI
VideoProc Converter AI is an all-in-one video processing software that can convert, compress, enhance, edit, and download videos on both Windows and Mac. It supports over 470 formats and codecs and imposes no limits on input file size or length. As such, you can upload any video for processing, including MP4, MOV, MKV, WMV, AVI, TS, FLV, DVD, 4K, HD, 3D, and even 360-degree videos.
VideoProc Converter offers 7 compression methods and can reduce video file size by over 90%. Its best-in-class compression algorithms and codecs help maintain maximum image quality while integrating the latest AI capabilities to upscale images and videos, improve FPS, create ultra-smooth slow motion, and stabilize shaky footage—all designed to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or professional, you can benefit from VideoProc's easy, smooth, and fast compression.
VideoProc Converter AI simplifies file size reduction without complicated settings. You can choose the output file size for specific platforms, for example, 8 MB for uploading to Discord or 25 MB for embedding in emails. You can adjust the compression ratio by dragging a slider that calculates the final size in real-time.
Compression is a trade-off between file size and image quality. VideoProc Converter AI's high-quality compression engine intelligently achieves the best balance between file size and quality.
Video compression is resource-intensive and time-consuming as it requires decoding and re-encoding data. VideoProc Converter AI enhances this process through level 3 hardware acceleration, leveraging your device's GPU (graphics card) in parallel to lighten the load on the CPU. When compressing 4K or HD videos, it operates much faster than others and requires less CPU usage.
Pros
- Easy to compress videos to the desired size.
- Multiple compression methods for users of all levels.
- Reduce file size by up to 90% while maintaining image quality.
- Supports mainstream codecs/formats as well as older/rare formats.
- Batch compress multiple videos.
- Low CPU usage is suitable for low to mid-range PCs and Macs.
- Compress, convert, edit, repair, and screen record all in one.
Cons
- The free trial version is limited to five-minute videos.
2. iMovie
iMovie is a free video editing application developed by Apple for Mac and iOS devices. It offers a simple and intuitive interface that allows anyone to easily create and edit videos on their Apple device. One of iMovie's most useful features is its ability to compress videos and export them in smaller file sizes—ideal for sending via email, uploading to social media, or transferring to phones and tablets.
iMovie compression reduces video resolution and quality, so it doesn't have complex parameters like bitrate, bit depth, or frame rate; it simply lets you choose the final resolution and quality, displaying the estimated file size.
Pros
- Free and pre-installed on Mac systems.
- Estimates compressed file size before export.
- Simple and straightforward for beginners.
Cons
- Cannot compress videos in a customized way.
- Noticeable quality loss after compression.
- Resource-intensive during video compression.
- Only supports MP4, MOV, and AVI files with specific codecs.
3. Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker is a free video editing application developed by Microsoft, pre-installed on Windows 7. It offers basic and easy video editing features along with comprehensive export settings. You can upload your video, skip editing, and compress it by configuring export settings for resolution, bitrate, frame rate, and audio format. In Windows 10 and 11, the built-in video editor allows you to compress videos only by lowering the resolution, and Windows Movie Maker creates a custom file.
Pros
- Free and pre-installed on Windows 7.
- Hardware acceleration during video compression.
Cons
- Challenging to install Windows Movie Maker on Windows 10 and 11.
- Only saves videos in MP4 and WMV formats.
- Does not support 4K videos.
4. FFmpeg
FFmpeg is a free and open-source command-line tool for processing video and audio files. It uses advanced video compression algorithms to encode videos into formats like H.264 and HEVC (H.265). By adjusting parameters such as bitrate, resolution, GOP size, and codec settings, FFmpeg can significantly compress video file sizes on Mac, Windows, and Linux systems.
Its command-line interface allows for automation and batch processing to convert multiple video files. You can easily integrate it into scripts and workflows, and it supports almost any media format as input and can be converted to almost any format as output.
Pros
- Full control over compression ratio and quality.
- Supports a wide range of video formats and codecs.
- Free to use.
- No limits on file size or length.
