Compare video formats — learn about codecs, quality, and compatibility
MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV are containers that hold video, audio, and subtitle streams. The container determines compatibility, not quality.
Codecs (H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1) compress video data. Formats (MP4, MKV) are containers. Same codec can be in different containers.
MP4 (H.264) works on virtually all devices. For newer devices, H.265/HEVC offers 50% better compression at same quality.
MP4 and WebM are the primary web formats. HLS (.m3u8) and DASH use MP4 segments for adaptive streaming.
MP4 with H.264 codec is the most universally supported format for web playback across all browsers and devices. WebM with VP9 codec offers better compression and is supported by most modern browsers, making it ideal for reducing bandwidth.
MP4 is a universal container format with excellent device and browser compatibility. MKV (Matroska) is more flexible, supporting virtually any codec and multiple audio/subtitle tracks, but has limited support on some devices and browsers.
Use the H.265/HEVC codec for up to 50% smaller files at the same visual quality. You can also lower resolution to 720p for mobile, reduce bitrate, or use two-pass encoding for optimal quality-to-size ratio.