FLV vs MOV
Which video format should you choose?
FLV wins on small file sizes. MOV wins on excellent quality for editing. 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 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
When to use MOV
Choose MOV when you need editing in final cut pro or premiere pro or macos and ios native playback. Its strengths: excellent quality for editing, and native on macos and ios.
Pros
- + Excellent quality for editing
- + Native on macOS and iOS
- + Supports multiple tracks and metadata
Cons
- − Larger file sizes than MP4
- − Limited support on Windows and Android
Side-by-side
| Aspect | FLV | MOV |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Flash Video | Apple QuickTime Movie |
| Extension | .flv | .mov |
| MIME type | video/x-flv | video/quicktime |
| Compression | Compressed | Compressed |
| File size | Small▲ | Large |
| Compatibility | Limited / legacy | Wide▲ |
| Open source | No / partial | No / partial |
| Best for | Converting legacy Flash content | Editing in Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro |
▲ = generally favored on that aspect. Real-world results depend on encoder settings.
Convert between FLV and MOV
FLV vs MOV — Frequently Asked Questions
Is FLV better than MOV?
Is FLV better than MOV?
Neither is universally better — they serve different needs. FLV is stronger for converting legacy flash content, while MOV is stronger for editing in final cut pro or premiere pro. Pick based on what you're trying to do.
Can I convert FLV to MOV?
Can I convert FLV to MOV?
Yes — Zen Convert handles FLV to MOV conversion for free, directly in your browser. It also handles the reverse (MOV to FLV). No signup, no watermark.
Will I lose quality converting between FLV and MOV?
Will I lose quality converting between FLV and MOV?
Both FLV and MOV 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 : FLV or MOV?
Which file is bigger : FLV or MOV?
FLV files are usually smaller than MOV 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?
MOV has broader mobile support. Most phones (iPhone and Android) play it natively without extra apps.