MP4 file: How to open? The best software for opening mp4 files

MP4

MPEG-4 video file format

File type: Digital video and movie file

An mp4 file extension is typically used for MPEG-4 multimedia files defined by ISO 14496-1 standard. Commonly used for video and movie files and supported by vast number of media players.

What is mp4 file?

File type category:
Digital video and movie file

Date updated: July 13, 2025

MPEG-4 file format, as defined by the MPEG-4 specification, contains MPEG-4 encoded video and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)-encoded audio content.

These mp4 files are in a container format defined in the Systems Part of the MPEG-4 standard (ISO 14496-1). The .mp4 files support all kinds of multimedia content (multiple audio streams, video streams, subtitle streams, pictures) and advanced content (called "Rich Media" or "BIFS") like 2D and 3D graphics, user interactivity, and DVD-like menus. The MP4 file format is also streamable.

The MP4 is the most common file extension used for the MPEG-4 format and these files may contain both audio and video, while files with an m4a file extension contain only audio tracks and those with an m4v file extension have video data. m4r file extension is used for MP4 ringtones in iPhone smartphones and there is also an m4b file extension. for audiobooks.

Native Instruments also use the MP4 format Stems audio files (stem file extension, or stem.mp4 file extension) for digital DJ performance. All those formats use the same MPEG-4 technology.

MIME types:
video/mp4

How to open mp4 file?

A great number of media players on all platforms can play the MP4 format, such as Microsoft Windows Media Player, Roxio Toast, Winamp, NERO suite, BSPlayer, and more.

How to convert mp4 file?

Many media and video converters are able to convert MP4 video format to another video formats.

Suggested software to open mp4 file:

Associated software actions with the mp4 file

Open

Software applications that can open mp4 files:

Kodi (XBMC) (Microsoft Windows)

Adobe Premiere Pro (Microsoft Windows)

FFDShow (Microsoft Windows)

EDIUS (Microsoft Windows)

WavePad (Microsoft Windows)

ApowerEdit (Microsoft Windows)

Nero WaveEditor (Microsoft Windows)

Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

DaVinci Resolve (Multiplatform)

Edit

Software applications that can edit mp4 files:

Adobe Premiere Pro (Microsoft Windows)

FFDShow (Microsoft Windows)

EDIUS (Microsoft Windows)

WavePad (Microsoft Windows)

ApowerEdit (Microsoft Windows)

Nero WaveEditor (Microsoft Windows)

Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

DaVinci Resolve (Multiplatform)

Save

Software capable of saving mp4 files:

Adobe Premiere Pro (Microsoft Windows)

FFDShow (Microsoft Windows)

EDIUS (Microsoft Windows)

ApowerEdit (Microsoft Windows)

Nero WaveEditor (Microsoft Windows)

Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

DaVinci Resolve (Multiplatform)

View

Programs for viewing mp4 files:

Media Player (Microsoft Windows)

Play

Apps designed for playing mp4 files:

VLC media player (Microsoft Windows)

ALLPlayer (Microsoft Windows)

MPlayer (Microsoft Windows)

Kodi (XBMC) (Microsoft Windows)

Final Media Player (Microsoft Windows)

BS.Player (Microsoft Windows)

Cyberlink PowerDVD (Microsoft Windows)

Apple iTunes for Windows (Microsoft Windows)

Media Player (Microsoft Windows)

Microsoft Windows Media Player (Microsoft Windows)

VLC media player for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

MPlayer for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Elmedia Player (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Apple iTunes for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Kodi for Mac (XBMC) (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

VLC media player for Linux (Linux/Unix)

Xine (Linux/Unix)

MPlayer for Linux (Linux/Unix)

Kodi for Linux (XBMC) (Linux/Unix)

Miro (Multiplatform)

VLC Media Player for iOS (Apple iOS)

VLC media player for Android (Google Android)

PowerAMP (Google Android)

Create

Software apps that create mp4 files:

Adobe Premiere Pro (Microsoft Windows)

Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Apple QuickTime for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Convert

Software apps that convert mp4 files:

HandBrake (Microsoft Windows)

Free Studio (Microsoft Windows)

Freemake Video Converter (Microsoft Windows)

ConvertXtoDVD (Microsoft Windows)

Hamster Free Video Converter (Microsoft Windows)

HandBrake for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Adapter (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Aimersoft Video Converter for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

HandBrake for Linux (Linux/Unix)

Import

Software apps that import mp4 files:

Adobe Premiere Pro (Microsoft Windows)

Audacity (Microsoft Windows)

Filmora (Microsoft Windows)

Wondershare Video Converter (Microsoft Windows)

ApowerEdit (Microsoft Windows)

Nero Recode (Microsoft Windows)

Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Audacity for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Filmora for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Audacity for Linux (Linux/Unix)

Movavi Video Editor (Multiplatform)

DaVinci Resolve (Multiplatform)

Export

Software apps that export mp4 files:

Adobe Premiere Pro (Microsoft Windows)

Movie Studio (Microsoft Windows)

Vegas Pro (Microsoft Windows)

CloneDVD Mobile (Microsoft Windows)

Filmora (Microsoft Windows)

Time-Lapse Assembler (Microsoft Windows)

ApowerEdit (Microsoft Windows)

Nero Recode (Microsoft Windows)

Adobe Premiere Pro for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Apple Final Cut Pro (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Total Media Converter for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

X Lossless Decoder (XLD) (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Filmora for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)

Movavi Video Editor (Multiplatform)

DaVinci Resolve (Multiplatform)

Investigation Video Editor (Multiplatform)

Collaborate (On-line services)