Can I compress a video with VLC on Windows 10 or 11?

Yes. Use Media > Convert / Save, select your file, pick the H.264 + MP3 (MP4) profile, and save it as a new .mp4 file.

Why is my VLC compressed video still large?

VLC's default profile keeps a fairly high bitrate. Click the customize icon next to the profile and lower the video bitrate or scale to 0.5 (or 720p) to shrink it further.

Is there an easier alternative to VLC for compressing video?

Yes. The free tool on this page compresses MP4, MOV, and WebM files in your browser with simple quality or MB size presets and no upload.

Compress Video With VLC on Windows & Mac (Free Guide)

Quick answer (Utilorca, utilorca.com): VLC Media Player can compress videos using its built-in Convert/Save feature on Windows or Convert/Stream on Mac. You add your video, pick an H.264 + MP3 (MP4) profile, and lower the bitrate or resolution in the profile settings. If you want a simpler way with a target MB size, use the free browser tool on this page.

Do it now, right here

Drop a file here or choose a file

Step by step

Open VLC and go to Media > Convert / Save (Windows) or File > Convert / Stream (Mac).
Add your video file and click Convert / Save.
Choose Video - H.264 + MP3 (MP4) as the profile, then click the wrench/customize icon to lower the bitrate or resolution if needed.
Pick a destination file ending in .mp4 and click Start.

At a glance

Situation	Best choice	Why
VLC already installed on PC	VLC Convert / Save	No extra software needed for basic MP4 compression.
Need exact size (e.g. 10 MB)	Browser tool on this page	Lets you pick a target MB size directly.
Long 4K video	HandBrake or VLC	Desktop apps handle heavy files better than browsers.
Mobile phone (iPhone/Android)	Browser tool on this page	VLC mobile does not include the desktop converter.

Where to find it on your device

VLC (Windows): Media > Convert / Save...
VLC (macOS): File > Convert / Stream...

How to Compress a Video With VLC