AVI vs MP4: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
AVI is a container from 1992; MP4 holds modern codecs that give the same picture at a fraction of the size. Use MP4 unless an old DVD player or program insists on AVI.
AVI vs MP4 Side by Side
| AVI | MP4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | AVI: Audio Video Interleave | MP4: MPEG-4 Part 14 |
| File extension | AVI: .avi | MP4: .mp4 |
| How it stores data | AVI: Container, typically MPEG-4 (Xvid/DivX) video with MP3 audio | MP4: Container, usually H.264 or H.265 video with AAC audio |
| File size | AVI: depends on what is inside | MP4: depends on what is inside |
| Created by | AVI: Microsoft, 1992 | MP4: Moving Picture Experts Group (ISO/IEC), 2001 |
| Best for | AVI: older DVD players, TVs and Windows software | MP4: sharing, uploading and playing video on any device |
| Watch out | AVI: no modern codecs, weak subtitle support, larger files than MP4 | MP4: it holds fewer codec and subtitle types than MKV |
| Opens with | AVI: Windows Media Player, VLC, most standalone DVD/DivX players | MP4: every phone, browser, TV and media player |
Choose AVI When
- Old standalone DVD/DivX players and legacy Windows software
Choose MP4 When
- Everything else: smaller files, better quality, plays everywhere
Convert Between AVI and MP4
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, AVI or MP4?
AVI is a container from 1992; MP4 holds modern codecs that give the same picture at a fraction of the size. Use MP4 unless an old DVD player or program insists on AVI.
When should I use AVI?
Old standalone DVD/DivX players and legacy Windows software.
When should I use MP4?
Everything else: smaller files, better quality, plays everywhere.
What is AVI?
AVI is Microsoft's video container from the Windows 3.1 era. Old camcorders, DVD players with DivX and many archives still use it.
What is MP4?
MP4 is the default video format of phones, cameras, browsers and social networks. It wraps compressed video and audio — usually H.264 and AAC — in a container almost every device can play.
Can I convert between AVI and MP4?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert AVI to MP4, or Convert MP4 to AVI with the converter linked on this page.