MP4
MPEG-4 Part 14
The universal video format
MP4 is the most widely used video format, usually with H.264 video and AAC audio. Phones, cameras, websites and social networks all use it.
- Strengths
- Plays everywhere, with good quality at a small size.
- Limitations
- H.264 is less efficient than newer codecs such as HEVC or AV1.
MOV
QuickTime File Format
Apple's QuickTime format
MOV is the QuickTime format used by iPhones, Macs and professional editing software. It often contains H.264, HEVC or ProRes video.
- Strengths
- Native on Apple devices and in Final Cut Pro, iMovie and Premiere.
- Limitations
- Some Windows and Android apps and many websites do not accept it.
WebM
WebM (VP8/VP9 + Opus/Vorbis)
The open web video format
WebM is a royalty-free format by Google with VP8, VP9 or AV1 video and Opus or Vorbis audio, built for the web and HTML5 video.
- Strengths
- Free and open, supported by Chrome, Firefox and Edge; great for websites.
- Limitations
- Limited support in older Apple software, TVs and editing apps.
MKV
Matroska Video
The flexible all-in-one container
MKV (Matroska) can hold almost any video and audio codec plus several audio tracks, subtitles and chapters in a single file.
- Strengths
- Stores anything without conversion, ideal for films with multiple languages.
- Limitations
- Not supported by iPhones, many browsers and some TVs.
AVI
Audio Video Interleave
The classic Windows video format
AVI (Audio Video Interleave) was introduced by Microsoft in 1992 and was the standard for DivX and Xvid videos for many years.
- Strengths
- Plays on old DVD players, TVs and Windows software.
- Limitations
- Large files, no modern codecs, and poor support on phones and websites.
WMV
Windows Media Video
Windows Media Video
WMV is Microsoft's video format from the Windows Media Player era, still common in older recordings and presentations.
- Strengths
- Small files that play in Windows Media Player.
- Limitations
- Poor support on Mac, iPhone, Android and the web.
FLV
Flash Video
The old Flash video format
FLV was the video format of Adobe Flash and early YouTube. Since Flash was discontinued, almost nothing plays it any more.
- Strengths
- Small files; common in old downloads and archives.
- Limitations
- Not supported by modern browsers, phones or TVs.
M4V
Apple MPEG-4 Video
Apple's MPEG-4 video
M4V is nearly identical to MP4 and is used by iTunes and the Apple TV app. Purchased films may be DRM-protected.
- Strengths
- Plays on all Apple devices with high quality.
- Limitations
- Some players do not recognize the extension; DRM-protected files cannot be converted.
3GP
3GPP Multimedia
The early mobile video format
3GP was designed for 3G mobile phones and is still found in recordings from older phones and dashcams.
- Strengths
- Tiny files designed for slow networks.
- Limitations
- Very low resolution and quality by today's standards.
MPEG
MPEG-1 / MPEG-2 Program Stream
MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video
MPEG files hold MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video, the formats of Video CDs, DVDs and digital TV recordings.
- Strengths
- Widely supported by DVD players and broadcast equipment.
- Limitations
- Large files compared with H.264 at the same quality.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format
Animated images
GIF is an image format that supports short, silent, looping animations with up to 256 colors, popular in chats and social media.
- Strengths
- Plays automatically everywhere, without a video player.
- Limitations
- Huge files compared with video, no sound and only 256 colors.