How to Choose the Best Video File Format

With so many different video file formats out there - MP4, MOV, and AVI to name just a few - it can be tricky knowing which one to use. What's the difference between them? Is there a difference between them, in fact? And what's the benefit of picking one over another?

Those are the questions on everyone's lips. And we're here to talk you through it all.

The best video file format for you will depend on a number of factors, including quality, file size, and how you plan to use the video. Does the video need to be the highest possible quality? Does it need to have a super-fast load time for quick and easy streaming? Do you need the file to be compatible with a wide range of computer systems, media players, and video-sharing platforms?

In this guide we'll walk you through five of the most common video file formats, their pros and cons, and examples of when each one might be the best video file format for the job.

Video file formats explained

MP4

MP4 is the most popular and versatile video file format. It's widely supported across devices and platforms, making it perfect for everything from social media videos to professional presentations. MP4 compresses video files efficiently, making the file size much smaller but without noticeably affecting the quality of the video. In short, it's a great all-rounder.

Pros

• Compatible with most media players

• Compatible with most video-sharing platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

• Small file sizes without a huge loss of quality

Cons

• Slightly lower definition than other formats

What it's best for

• Marketing, social media, and e-learning

M4V

M4V is a video format produced by Apple, and it's very similar to MP4. The only differences are the file extension and the fact that M4V files are copy-protected by DRM (digital rights management) to prevent unauthorized copying. While M4V isn't supported by all media players, it's easy to convert an M4V to MP4 - simply by changing the file extension.

Pros

• Copy-protected to prevent unauthorized reproduction

• Small file size without a huge loss of quality

Cons

• M4V files can only be accessed on Apple devices or certain media players

What it's best for

• Protecting your videos against piracy (if you're not worried about limited access)

MOV

MOV was also developed by Apple, and it's widely used in professional video editing and film production due to its ability to handle large, high-resolution files. While MOV files are larger than other formats, they preserve superior video quality. MOV is compatible with a wide range of video-sharing platforms, and although it was developed by Apple, it works on Windows too when using players like QuickTime or VLC. It's also accepted by many video-sharing platforms, making it versatile despite its size.

Pros

• High quality

• Widely supported by video-sharing platforms

• Can store different multimedia elements (such as video, audio, or text) as separate tracks

Cons

• Large file sizes

• Poor compatibility with media players other than QuickTime or VLC

What it's best for

• Filmmaking and professional video editing

AVI

AVI was developed by Microsoft back in 1992, and it's one of the most widely used video file formats, particularly for TV. It's compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, as well as all major web browsers. AVI files offer excellent quality, but come with large file sizes which take up significant storage space. Because of its high quality, AVI is commonly used for video editing and archiving. But due to the large file sizes, it's less practical for online use compared to more compressed formats.

Pros

• High video quality

• Compatible with most systems, browsers, players, and platforms

Cons

• Large file sizes require a lot of storage space

What it's best for

• Short videos and adverts

• TV

• Archiving and editing

WebM

WebM is an open-source video format developed by Google, specifically for sharing videos online. It's supported by all major browsers and is known for its small file sizes, which allow for quick loading and smooth streaming. WebM is ideal for live streaming and embedding videos on websites without slowing down page load speed, making it a top choice for web developers and content creators.

Pros

• Small file sizes which load quickly

• Good quality real-time video delivery

• Compatible with major video-sharing platforms

Cons

• Not the best compatibility with mobile devices, however this has improved in recent years

What it's best for

• Embedding on your website

• Live streaming

HEVC

HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, is a video format that delivers high-quality video with small file sizes (especially compared to its predecessor, H.264). This makes it ideal for streaming high-resolution content like 4K and 8K videos without taking up too much bandwidth or storage space. HEVC is widely used, but it requires compatible hardware or software for playback.

Pros

• High-quality video with smaller file sizes

• Supports 4K and 8K resolution

• Reduces bandwidth usage

Cons

• Requires more processing power and compatible hardware and software for playback

• Not as widely supported as older formats like H.264

What it's best for

• Streaming high-res content

• Video conferencing and broadcasting

For more insights on creating and optimizing content, check out our guide to the best audio file formats.

MP4 vs AVI

If you need a smaller file size and can accept a slight reduction in video quality, MP4 is the better choice. On the other hand, if maintaining high video quality is your top priority and storage or file size isn't an issue, AVI is the better option.

MP4 vs MOV

While both MP4 and MOV are supported by most video-sharing platforms, MP4 is compatible with a wider range of media players. MP4 files are smaller and better if you're creating shorter videos for social media, while MOV files are higher quality and better suited to full-length movies or professional video projects where quality is more important than file size.

MOV vs AVI

MOV and AVI are both excellent formats for full-length films. AVI has broader compatibility with media players, however MOV delivers better video quality than AVI, making it the preferred choice when superior quality is crucial.

Final thoughts

We hope you've enjoyed learning more about the best video file formats for different situations. When it comes to transcribing a video, remember that Transcribe supports MP4, M4V, MOV, and AVI.

If you need to change your file format or reduce the size, check out our guide on how to compress a video file. And if you want to convert your video to audio for ease of use, feel free to use our free MP3 converter.