How to reduce video file size without losing quality

When your edit is finally complete, and you’re ready to share your work online, the last thing you want is to wait hours just to upload. But, much of the time, your video editing software’s default export option leaves you with a huge file size that takes ages to upload to video-sharing platforms.

The good news is that you can significantly reduce the size of your video file and upload time without losing any noticeable quality in the video. This process is called compression. In this article, you’ll learn:

• What video compression is
• Key relevant terminology
• Six tips to compress videos
• Compression workflows in major editing software

Some important terminology

Before jumping into the technical explanations, let’s cover some important terminology:

Encoding

Encoding is the name given to the process of changing a file from one format into another (compression involves encoding to reduce the video’s file size). The two components you’re adjusting in the encoding process are codecs and containers.

Codec

A codec (coming from merging the words coder and decoder) is a piece of software that enables the conversion of files. Some popular codec examples include H.264, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 HQ.

Container

A container is a wrapper (you can think of it like an envelope) in which the final video is presented. Popular containers include MP4, MOV, and AVI.

Bitrate

When talking about compression, it’s vital to understand the role of bitrate. Bitrate refers to the amount of data within each second of video, normally measured in megabytes per second (Mbps). As you might expect, video bitrate significantly impacts file size as it determines the information contained within the video. However, this also significantly impacts quality, which we’ll discuss shortly.

Tips for compressing your videos

So, before going through your own compression workflow, there are a few tips to keep in mind to help guarantee the best results.

1. Shoot footage at the highest possible codec and container

The goal of compression is to manage the size of your final video without impacting the quality. However, we don’t suggest shooting in a compressed format, as this will limit your video’s quality.

Also, since the efficiency of your video editing software depends more on codec type than on file size, shooting in compressed formats won’t necessarily help you edit faster. For example, RAW (a very uncompressed format) edits faster on most software than H.265 (a compressed format), even though its file size is significantly larger. You can learn more about it in our article about video formats.

2. Choose H.265 for uploading online

For many years, the H.264 codec was considered to be the best option for uploading to platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. This format is still a great choice, as it’s well-optimized to maximize quality while minimizing file size, which is crucial for reducing your upload speeds and streaming smoothly.

However, a newer codec, H.265, is gaining popularity amongst professionals for being faster and using less storage space. At the same time, faster computers that can handle editing H.265 are becoming more accessible and commonplace. H.265 is quickly becoming the new standard codec. If your computer can handle it, it’s the best choice.

3. Preserve bitrate over resolution

If you shoot your videos in 4K or higher, uploading the final product in anything less can feel upsetting. The truth is, however, when it comes to video quality, it’s your bitrate that will likely make the more significant difference.

First, consider that most screens (computers/laptops/TVs/phones), even now, are still 1080p. So most viewers on most devices won’t even be able to view your 4K video anyway.

Second, because of a concept called “visual acuity,” which refers to the limit of the human eye to recognize the difference between 2 points (in our case, pixels), you may not be able to interpret the difference even on a 4K screen. Photographer Paul Maguire calculated that for our eyes to recognize the benefit of 4K over 1080p, you would have to stand closer than 4 feet (~1.2 meters) away from a 32″ screen.

Bitrate, on the other hand, refers to the amount of information carried within each pixel. If this is interfered with too much, a significant difference in quality can be noticed. In the example below, both versions of the clip were compressed from 4K to 1080p, but one was exported with a high bitrate and the other with a low bitrate. The difference in quality is especially noticeable in the banding, where the lower bitrate version struggles to provide graduated color/luminance, even though both clips have the same number of pixels.

4. Choose a variable bitrate if possible

Choosing a variable bitrate allows you to reduce bitrate in the portions of your video where a difference in quality won’t be noticed (e.g., a black screen or shots with less detail and movement) but increase it to the recommended level in portions where it will be noticed. This results in a smaller file size with no noticeable difference between it and a high-bitrate version.

5. Higher frame rates need higher bitrates

Another tip to keep in mind regarding bitrates is that videos in higher frame rates need a higher bitrate to maintain reasonable quality. Since bitrate is measured in the amount of data available per second of video (measured in megabytes per second/Mbps), having more frames means that the Mbps is divided more times, so there’s less data for each individual frame.

6. The MP4 container is the most widely accepted online

Referring back to codecs and containers, the best container to use for most situations will be .mp4 instead of .mov or others. The main difference between the two is that MP4 is an international standard, while MOV is technically a proprietary Apple format, initially designed for use with Quicktime. While YouTube and other platforms can often accept both formats, they generally recommend MP4.

How to compress your videos

We’ve looked at what compression means and some tips to keep in mind when compressing video files. Now it’s time to look at the compression formats most suitable to you and your needs across most major video platforms.

Note that the steps below assume a minimum desired resolution of at least 720p, a frame rate of 24-30fps, an H.264 codec, and an MP4 container. Again, H.265 is now recommended if your computer can handle it.

If your video’s frame rate is anything higher than 30 fps, a good rule of thumb is to expect a 50% increase in the ideal bitrate. So 1080p at 24fps should be 8 Mbps, and 1080p at 60fps would become 12 Mbps.

Below is a table with the best resolution and bitrate for each video platform and individual guides on how to compress your videos using various video editors and transcoders. You can adapt each guide according to this table and your own video’s properties. You will also find brief videos that outline each case’s compression process.

Video compression software

Video compressor software offers you the most control and flexibility when it comes to video compression, perfect if you need advanced settings or are handling large files.

Unlike web-based tools, desktop software isn’t limited by upload speeds or file size restrictions, and it can process videos without relying on an internet connection. It also often supports a wider range of formats and offers higher-quality output, especially for professional use.

While video compression software tends to be more stable and reliable compared to online compressors, you may have to pay for a license, and you’ll need to have a computer that’s capable of running it, with a lot of storage space.

Some of the most trusted, well-known video compression softwares are:

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Final Cut Pro
• DaVinci Resolve
• VLC
• Handbrake

Online video compression

If you want to compress a video quickly, then online video compression is a handy option for reducing file sizes without needing to install software. It’s especially useful for smaller projects or casual use, as most platforms have simple interfaces and automate the process.

Unlike desktop software, online tools don’t require much system power, and they’re accessible from any device with an internet connection. However, they often come with limitations, such as file size caps, fewer customization options, slower processing for large files, and potential privacy concerns when uploading sensitive content. 

Pros:

• Quick and easy
• No software download required
• Doesn’t require much system power
• Accessible from any device with internet connection

Cons:

• File sizes may be capped
• Customization options are limited
• Larger files will be slower to process
• Potential privacy concerns

Here are a few of the most used go-to online video compressors:

• FreeConvert
• OnlineConverter
• Veed.io
• Riverside.fm

Cloud services

​Cloud-based video compressor services offer very scalable, efficient solutions for processing large volumes of video content without the need to download any substantial software. These services are really useful for businesses and content creators who require high-performance compression capabilities that are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. 

Bear in mind, if you don’t have an internet connection, then cloud services won’t be available. It may also take quite a while to upload and download your files, depending on the sizes involved.

Here are some of the best cloud-based video compression services:​

• Qencode
• Ateme
• Axinom
• DaCast
• Cloudinary

Wrapping up

Thanks to the wonders of compression, you can hopefully now enjoy a less tedious experience when uploading your files. Keep in mind this guide is geared towards compressing for online destinations. However, it’s still useful to have less compressed versions of your final videos for exhibiting on larger screens or editing down the line.