How to compress a video
- Choose your video. Drop a file into the box above or click Choose video. MP4, MOV, WEBM, MKV and AVI all work.
- Pick a compression level. Medium is the best balance for most videos. Choose Strong when the file must be as small as possible.
- Optionally lower the resolution. Going from 4K or 1080p down to 720p is the single biggest way to save space.
- Click Compress video and download the smaller MP4 when it is ready.
The compressor uses the H.264 codec with AAC audio and fast-start enabled, so the result plays everywhere — phones, browsers, WhatsApp, Discord, Slack, PowerPoint and every video player.
Which compression level should I choose?
| Level | Quality | Typical size reduction | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Almost identical to the original | 20–50% | Archiving, editing later |
| Medium | Very good, hard to tell apart | 50–80% | Sharing, uploading, email |
| Strong | Good on phones and small screens | 70–90% | Chat apps, strict size limits |
The exact saving depends on the source. Phone videos recorded at a high bitrate shrink dramatically; videos that were already compressed by a social network shrink less.
Tips for the smallest file
- Lower the resolution. A 1080p video at 720p is less than half the pixels, and on a phone screen it looks the same.
- Trim first. Every second you remove is space you save. Use the trim tool before compressing.
- Remove what you do not need. If you only need the sound, convert the video to MP3 instead — audio is a fraction of the size.
- Compress once. Compressing an already-compressed video again loses quality faster than it saves space.
Compress video for WhatsApp, Discord and email
Many apps limit attachment sizes. Discord's free plan accepts small files, email providers usually stop around 20–25MB, and WhatsApp re-compresses large videos itself (often badly). Compressing first with the Strong level and 720p gives you control over the final quality and usually gets a one- or two-minute clip under those limits.
Why compressing here is private
Most "free online compressors" upload your video to their servers. SmartVideoEditor runs FFmpeg directly in your browser using WebAssembly, so the video never leaves your device — useful for personal clips, client footage and anything confidential. It also means there is no upload wait: compression starts as soon as you click.
Supported formats
Input: MP4, MOV (iPhone), WEBM, MKV, AVI and M4V. Output: MP4 (H.264 + AAC), the most compatible video format in the world.