MOV to MKV Converter
Moving from Apple's proprietary MOV to the open-source MKV format gives you greater flexibility for media management. MKV supports a broader range of codecs, unlimited subtitle and audio tracks, and chapter markers, making it perfect for building a well-organized media library that works across all platforms.
MOV to MKV is a remuxing operation that preserves all encoded streams. Your video resolution, bitrate, and audio quality remain exactly as they were in the original MOV file. No transcoding occurs.
How to Convert MOV to MKV
- 1
Upload your MOV file by dragging it into the converter area.
- 2
Select MKV as your target format.
- 3
Click Convert and download the MKV file when processing completes.
MOV vs MKV — Format Comparison
| Feature | MOV | MKV |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Apple QuickTime Movie | Matroska Video |
| Type | Video | Video |
| Codec | H.264 / ProRes / HEVC | H.264 / H.265 / VP9 / AV1 |
| Lossless | No | No |
| Extension | .mov | .mkv |
| Best For | iPhone and iPad video recording | High-quality video archival |
MOV Strengths
- Native support on Apple devices and macOS
- Supports high-quality ProRes codec
- Excellent for video editing workflows
MKV Strengths
- Open standard with no licensing fees
- Supports unlimited tracks (audio, subtitles, video)
- Excellent for high-quality video with multiple languages
Frequently Asked Questions
When to Convert MOV to MKV
- Building a cross-platform media library from Apple-recorded content
- Preparing video files for Plex or Kodi media servers
- Archiving QuickTime recordings in a patent-free open format
- Consolidating multiple audio and subtitle tracks into one file
Related Conversions
About Our MOV to MKV Converter
This converter uses FFmpeg compiled to WebAssembly (WASM) to transform your MOV files into MKV format entirely inside your web browser. When you select a file for conversion, the processing happens locally on your device. Your file is never uploaded to any server, never transmitted over the internet, and never stored anywhere outside your own computer. This privacy-first architecture makes our tool safe for confidential and sensitive content — including legal recordings, medical files, financial presentations, personal media, and any other material you would not want on a third-party server.
The conversion process works by decoding the MOV input using FFmpeg's highly optimized decoders, then encoding the output in MKV format with carefully tuned settings that balance quality and file size. When possible, the tool uses stream copy mode to remux (rewrap) compatible streams without re-encoding, which preserves the original quality with zero generational loss. When re-encoding is necessary due to codec differences between the two formats, the converter uses high-quality encoding settings to minimize any visible or audible quality reduction.
Supported input formats include MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and WebM for video, with automatic detection of the codecs and parameters inside your source file. The output is optimized for maximum compatibility with modern devices and platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, smart TVs, and all major web browsers.
Why browser-based conversion is safer: traditional online converters require you to upload your file to a remote server, where it is processed by third-party infrastructure and then made available for download. This workflow exposes your data to interception during upload, unauthorized access on the server, unclear data retention policies, and potential data breaches. Professionals in regulated industries such as healthcare (HIPAA), legal (attorney-client privilege), and finance (SOX, GDPR) often cannot use server-based converters without violating compliance requirements. Our WebAssembly-powered approach eliminates all of these risks by ensuring your data never leaves the browser sandbox on your own device.
The tool handles files up to 500 MB on desktop browsers and 200 MB on mobile devices. No account registration, no software installation, and no recurring subscription is required. Conversion typically completes in seconds for small files and a few minutes for larger ones, depending on your device's processing capabilities. Once the conversion is finished, you can download the result immediately and the source data is discarded from browser memory.