VP9 vs AV1

VP9 vs AV1: Both are open-source Google-backed codecs. AV1 is the successor to VP9, offering 30% better compression but much slower encoding.

Quick Compress
Choose a file, pick how small it should be, and compress locally.
%

Percentage is applied to the original file size.

Detailed Comparison

CategoryVP9AV1Winner
File SizeSmall - similar to H.265Very small - 30% smaller than VP9AV1
Encoding SpeedSlow - 5-10x slower than H.264Very slow - 50-100x slower than H.264VP9
MaturityMature - stable and widely usedNewer - still improving rapidlyVP9
CompatibilityGood browser supportLimited - newest browsers/devices onlyVP9
QualityExcellentExcellent - marginally betterAV1

Head-to-Head Comparison

  • File Size: VP9 - Small - similar to H.265 | AV1 - Very small - 30% smaller than VP9
  • Encoding Speed: VP9 - Slow - 5-10x slower than H.264 | AV1 - Very slow - 50-100x slower than H.264
  • Maturity: VP9 - Mature - stable and widely used | AV1 - Newer - still improving rapidly
  • Compatibility: VP9 - Good browser support | AV1 - Limited - newest browsers/devices only
  • Quality: VP9 - Excellent | AV1 - Excellent - marginally better

Which Should You Choose?

  • Use VP9 for immediate web streaming needs
  • Use AV1 for long-term archival and future-proofing
  • Choose VP9 when encoding time is limited
  • Use AV1 for streaming services with batch encoding

The Verdict

AV1 is generally better for most users, but both have their place depending on your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: VP9 or AV1?

AV1 is generally better for most users, but VP9 has advantages in specific scenarios. Use VP9 for immediate web streaming needs.

What's the main difference between VP9 and AV1?

The key differences are: File Size - VP9: Small - similar to H.265, AV1: Very small - 30% smaller than VP9; Encoding Speed - VP9: Slow - 5-10x slower than H.264, AV1: Very slow - 50-100x slower than H.264.

Can I convert between VP9 and AV1?

Yes! Upload your video in either format, select the output format you want, and compress. The conversion happens locally in your browser with no uploads.

Which should I use for file size?

For file size: AV1 is better. Very small - 30% smaller than VP9.

Related Comparisons

H.265 vs AV1H.264 vs VP9VP8 vs VP9