AVI vs FLV
Which video format should you choose?
AVI wins on high video quality. FLV wins on small file sizes. For most general use, pick whichever is more compatible with your existing tools — file size and quality differences are usually small at the same encoding settings.
When to use AVI
Choose AVI when you need windows-based playback and editing or archival of high-quality footage. Its strengths: high video quality, and wide windows compatibility.
Pros
- + High video quality
- + Wide Windows compatibility
- + Simple structure
Cons
- − Very large file sizes
- − Poor support on modern mobile devices
- − No native streaming support
When to use FLV
Choose FLV when you need converting legacy flash content or recovering old web archives. Its strengths: small file sizes, and once-universal web compatibility.
Pros
- + Small file sizes
- + Once-universal web compatibility
Cons
- − Adobe Flash is deprecated
- − No modern browser support
- − Should be converted to MP4 or WebM
Side-by-side
| Aspect | AVI | FLV |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Audio Video Interleave | Flash Video |
| Extension | .avi | .flv |
| MIME type | video/x-msvideo | video/x-flv |
| Compression | Compressed | Compressed |
| File size | Very large | Small▲ |
| Compatibility | Modern only▲ | Limited / legacy |
| Open source | Yes | No / partial |
| Best for | Windows-based playback and editing | Converting legacy Flash content |
▲ = generally favored on that aspect. Real-world results depend on encoder settings.
Convert between AVI and FLV
AVI vs FLV — Frequently Asked Questions
Is AVI better than FLV?
Is AVI better than FLV?
Neither is universally better — they serve different needs. AVI is stronger for windows-based playback and editing, while FLV is stronger for converting legacy flash content. Pick based on what you're trying to do.
Can I convert AVI to FLV?
Can I convert AVI to FLV?
Yes — Zen Convert handles AVI to FLV conversion for free, directly in your browser. It also handles the reverse (FLV to AVI). No signup, no watermark.
Will I lose quality converting between AVI and FLV?
Will I lose quality converting between AVI and FLV?
Both AVI and FLV use lossy compression. Each conversion adds a small additional loss because the codec re-encodes the audio/video. For best quality, convert once and keep the result.
Which file is bigger : AVI or FLV?
Which file is bigger : AVI or FLV?
FLV files are usually smaller than AVI files at the same quality. The difference depends on encoder settings, but the trend is consistent across most content.
Which one is better supported on phones?
Which one is better supported on phones?
AVI has broader mobile support. Most phones (iPhone and Android) play it natively without extra apps.