Format & codec comparisons
Side-by-side comparisons to help you pick the right video or audio format, codec or setting.
MP4 vs MOV
Use MP4 if you want a universal file that plays everywhere - phones, browsers, social media, and most devices. Use MOV if you edit on a Mac or Final Cut, or need high-quality ProRes. Both often use H.264, so quality is similar.
MP4 vs MKV
Use MP4 if you want a file that plays everywhere - browsers, phones, social media, and most editors. Use MKV to archive a movie with multiple audio tracks, subtitles, and chapters in one file, where flexibility matters more than compatibility.
H.264 vs H.265
Use H.264 (AVC) for maximum compatibility - it plays on nearly every device, browser, and editor with no setup. Use H.265 (HEVC) for 4K and to cut file size by roughly 40-50% at the same quality, where your target devices support it.
H.265 vs AV1
Use AV1 if you want royalty-free streaming at scale and the best compression; use H.265 (HEVC) if you need reliable hardware-accelerated 4K playback and faster encoding on devices that support it today.
VP9 vs AV1
Use AV1 if you want maximum compression efficiency and can accept slow encoding plus newer hardware - it is about 20-30% more efficient than VP9. Use VP9 if you need broad, proven web and device support today with much faster encoding.
MP3 vs AAC
Use AAC for better sound at the same bitrate and modern playback - it is the default for MP4, Apple, and streaming. Use MP3 when you need maximum compatibility with old hardware and legacy players.
MP3 vs WAV
Use WAV if you need lossless quality for editing, mixing, mastering, or archiving; use MP3 if you want small, shareable files for everyday listening. WAV preserves perfect fidelity but is large (~10 MB/min), while MP3 trades a little quality for a fraction of the size.
AAC vs FLAC
Use AAC for small files, streaming and mobile where wide compatibility matters; use FLAC for lossless archiving and high-fidelity libraries where bit-perfect quality matters more than file size.
1080p vs 4K
Use 4K if you watch or edit on large, high-resolution screens, want to future-proof footage, or need maximum detail; use 1080p to save storage and bandwidth, or when viewing on phones and small screens where the difference is hard to see.
CRF vs Bitrate
Use CRF when you want consistent perceptual quality and flexible file size - ideal for one-off encodes and archives. Use target bitrate (or 2-pass) when you must hit a specific file size or a fixed streaming data rate.