MOV vs 3GP
How do MOV and 3GPcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.mov
Full guide →QuickTime Movie
MOV is Apple's video format, native to macOS and iOS. iPhones record video in MOV format by default. It supports high quality and professional features but works best within the Apple ecosystem.
.3gp
Full guide →3rd Generation Partnership Project
3GP is a video format designed for 3G mobile phones. While modern smartphones use MP4, 3GP is still used in feature phones and developing markets where bandwidth and storage are limited.
| Specification | MOV | 3GP |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | QuickTime Movie | 3rd Generation Partnership Project |
| Extension | .mov | .3gp |
| MIME type | video/quicktime | video/3gpp |
| Category | Video | Video |
| Developer | Apple | 3rd Generation Partnership Project |
| Year introduced | 1991 | 2003 |
MOV advantages
- High quality video support
- Native Apple ecosystem format
- Professional-grade features
- Supports ProRes codec
MOV limitations
- Large file sizes
- Less compatible outside Apple
- Requires QuickTime on Windows
- Not ideal for web streaming
3GP advantages
- Very small file sizes
- Designed for mobile devices
- Low bandwidth requirements
- Plays on feature phones
3GP limitations
- Very low quality
- Outdated format
- Limited resolution support
- Not suitable for modern use
Which should you use?
MOV and 3GP target different use cases. MOV is ideal for iphone and ipad video recording, while 3GP works best for feature phone video playback.
Best uses for MOV
Best uses for 3GP
Convert between MOV and 3GP
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.