H.264 vs H.265: Which Codec Should You Use?

Cassie 14/09/2025

Video Converter

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While digital entertainment world has encountered an increasing popularity worldwide, the video codecs, which matters a lot in balancing video file size and video quality in digital video content, have been widely talked, mentioned, and compared. As 2 widely used video codecs, the H.264 and H.265 have their own advantages and disadvantages in video streaming, editing and spreading. In this post, we would like to show you what are the benefits of H.264 vs. H.265, and how to choose the right video codec based on different use cases.

Briefly Know About H.264 and H.265

Firstly, let’s learn what is H.264 and what is H.265 before we dive into their differences and benefits. What is H.264? Also known as Advanced Video Coding (AVC), H.264 was introduced in 2003 and then widely used for high video compression efficiency while at the same time keeping the same image quality. It adopts advanced entropy coding and compression techniques to deliver high-quality video at lower bitrates, which makes files smaller but without sacrificing too much quality. The H.264 video coding is widely used in online video streaming, video recording, video conferencing and Blu-ray discs.

Then, what is H.265? Also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), H.265 is another video codec that was introduced in 2013 as the H.264 successor to deliver even higher video compression efficiency that the H.264 does but retain the same image quality. H.265 adopts even more advanced video compression technologies like “coding tree units” (CTUs) with adaptable block partitions for image processing, motion-vector prediction, context-adaptive entropy coding, and higher bit depths. The higher video compression efficiency of H.265 improves up to 50% compression over H.264 without quality loss, so as to make it extremely suitable for 4K and 8K videos.

H.264 vs H.265: Key Differences

So, what are the key differences between H.264 vs. H.265? These 2 video coding methods mainly differ from each other in compression efficiency, video quality, device compatibility and use cases. The below contents would show you the detailed explanation about H.264 vs. H.26 differences.

1. Compression Efficiency

As mentioned above, H.265 adopts CTUs with adaptable block partitions, which provides more flexible block sizes, from 4*4 to 64*64, while H.264 video codec adopts macroblock representation (16*16). The CTUs technique delivers more efficient video compression. Meanwhile, compared to H.264, H.265 takes use of more advanced motion compensation, which ensures more accurate frame movement prediction and reduces file size. All these mean that between H.264 vs. H.265 video compression, H.265 delivers higher compression efficiency, especially in for fast-moving or highly detailed content.

2. Video Quality

Between H.264 vs. H.265 quality comparison, which one wins? Actually, both video codecs deliver high quality image, but H.265 video codec will produce the same video quality as H.264 but at only half the bitrate, which leads to the key difference – the file size of H.265 and H.264. H.265 coding will produce a file about half the size of H.264 file that delivers the same video quality.

3. Device Compatibility

As to the H.264 vs. H.265 device compatibility comparison, H.264 is currently, generally speaking, supported by nearly all media players and devices that could play back videos, from older smartphones, tablets to the latest smartphones, smart TVs, and even game consoles. On the other hand, H.265 coded files require hardware support. There are fewer devices that support H.265 coding file playback than that of H.264 files.

4. Use Cases

H.265 and H.264 have different use cases. H.264 is best for general-purpose video like online video streaming (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc. from 720P to 1080P), regular video conferencing and live streaming, regular Blu-ray discs, mobile video recording, web video and social media, etc. On the contrast, H.265 is best for high efficiency, UHD content and saving storage, including 4K/8K UHD streaming, 4K/UHD Blu-ray disc, high-resolution video recording (like sporting recording such as GoPros, DSLRs for 4K/8K recording), video archiving and cloud storage, broadcast and IPTV, VR and AR, etc. Online streaming videos available in either H.265 or H.264 codec from these streaming services could be downloaded via third-party stream video downloaders such as CleverGet All-In-One.

How to Choose Between H.264 and H.265?

After learning the differences between H.264 vs. H.265, how to choose between H.264 and H.265? What standards should you follow in selecting a proper video codec to get the balance of video quality and video file size? Consider the below specific aspects:

If you want to play your contents on more devices and players, that’s to say, device compatibility first, H.264 without doubt is your first choice. It is compatible with more devices than H.265.

If you weigh higher in stream or save higher-resolution files like 4K or even 8K, H.265 is generally a first choice for its higher compression efficiency and smaller file size.

If you prefer power consumption, H.264 is generally more preferred for its low power consumption. H.265 would drain your battery for its high requirements in hardware acceleration.

The Best Tool for H.264 and H.265 File Conversion

Now there are quite a few video compressors that could help you compress H.264 and H.265 files. Leawo Video Converter is the best video compressor for H.265 and H.264 compressing. As a professional video converter, Leawo Video Converter enables you to compress video files to H.265 or H.264 freely according to your needs for different devices. You could use it to convert files with H.265 coding to MP4/MKV/AVI… in H.264 coding, or convert files coded with H.264 to H.265 MP4/MKV files for smaller file size.

Leawo Video Converter is simple to use but practical in handling H.265 to H.264 file conversion or H.264 to H.265 file conversion. It helps gain wide compatible H.264 video files or high-resolution H.265 files for various uses.

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Conclusion

Both H.264 and H.265 deliver high video compression efficiency for you to get high quality video files, with H.265 providing higher compression at smaller file size but requiring higher hardware configuration. Currently, H.264 still occupies a big market share for its wide compatibility and comparatively low hardware configuration requirements. Of course, whether to use either H.264 or H.265 coding depends on your real purpose. If you want high-resolution contents, H.265 coding is recommended. If you just look for regular HD or Full HD contents, H.264 is recommended. Whichever you choose, you could get satisfactory results.