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For most creators, H264 vs H265 is a hot discussion. The correct codec and format can make or break your clients' projects. For years, you have relied on the H.264 codec. However, the arrival of the H.265 codec has only complemented the former. It has added value to your workflow by offering improved compression efficiency and higher-quality videos with smaller file sizes. It is also capable of handling higher resolutions like 4K and beyond. Let's see how they differ and which codec can actually align with your specific needs. Stay tuned for a detailed introspection into H.264 vs H.265.

What are H.265 and H.264?

Many users find working with video codecs confusing. First, let's go over both video codecs briefly. And then we'll understand how they differ in various parameters. Let's know more details about H. 264 vs H.265.

What is H.264?

H.264 (AVC), or Advanced Video Coding, is a successor to MPEG-2 Part 2 and is a widely used video codec today. It is an industry-standard video compression that content creators and professionals use globally to record and compress content.

Released in 2003, AVC aims to deliver high quality with much lower bit rates than other video codecs. It is now widely used in various cases. Some include camera recording modes, streaming destinations, and even editing platforms. The best part is that H.264 is widely accepted worldwide and supports formats and wrappers like MP4, 3GP, FOV, MOV, and TS.

What is H.265?

H.265 (HEVC) was released in 2013 as a successor to H.264, MPEG-4 AVC. Instead of surpassing or replacing H.264, H.265 has added more user benefits. It is a video codec introduced especially for future-generation apps and videos, especially considering 4K and up to 8K or beyond. That counts for approximately 8192 pixels by 4320 pixels. Compared to H. 264 vs H.265, the former does not come close to H.265 in terms of high resolution and quality.

Additionally, H.265 can compress data by 25% to 50%. At the same bitrate, H.265 offers higher quality than the H.264 video codec. However, here comes the twist. Unlike H.264, H.265 is not widely accepted as of now. Many formats & wrappers, such as TS, MP4, 3GP, and MKV, accept H.265 as a codec.

H264 vs H265: Which One Should You Choose?

Whether you need to stream content, save your local storage space, or enhance your video quality, discovering a video codec that delivers the best performance is the need of the hour. No matter if you are editing, watching, or broadcasting your videos, the correct format can indeed make a difference. This section can help you understand H265 vs H264 and make the right decision.

Differences between H.264 and H.265: A Glance!

Let's help you make a smart choice before you learn about the detailed H265 vs H264 differences. Here, we are breaking down the differences. This table will give you a thorough idea of what each video codec holds for you to help you make an informed decision.

Key Parameters H.264 (AVC) Codec

H.265 (HEVC) Codec

Full Name/Purpose

Advanced Video Coding(MPEG-4 Part 10 AVC)

High Efficiency Video Coding
(MPEG-H, HEVC, Part 2)

Size of File

Larger

Smaller

Block Size and Intra Modes

16 x 16 block size and 9 intra modes

64 x 64 block size and 35 intra modes

Transform Sizes

8 x 8 and 4 x 4 transform sizes

32 x 32, 16 x 16, 8 x 8, and 4 x 4 transform sizes

Compression Efficiency

 Lower (approximately 50% larger file size) Higher (up to 50% better compression)

Bitrate

 Requires a higher bitrate Requires a lower bitrate

Video Quality

 Lower at the same bitrate Higher at the same bitrate

Supported Resolution

 Up to 4K Up to 8K and higher

Supported File Formats and Containers

 MKV, FLV, MP4, AVI, MOV, and TS MP4, MKV, MOV, and TS

How to Choose: H265 vs H264 Codecs

With the table above, you must have gotten a rough idea of which video codec can better cater to your different needs. Let's get into the essential details to understand H264 vs H265 from various perspectives.

Video Quality

Video quality is an important point when comparing H264 vs H265 at the same bitrate. In H.264, each macroblock is fixed and its data is not dependent on the others. So, the blocks' borders (margins and edges) are usually distorted.

On the other hand, H.265 determines the size of the Coding Tree Units (CTUs) based on regional information. Hence, it delivers more detailed and sharper images with fewer compression artifacts or blocking. So, H.265 is a clear winner for compressing better-quality photos and videos.

File Size

Final file size, whether for transmission or streaming, also determines the fate of preference for H.264 vs H.265. Generally, bandwidth is directly proportional to file size. The less bandwidth there is, the lower the file size. Compared to the videos produced by the H.265 codec, the H.264 video codec generates videos 1x to 3x larger. Again, H.265 stands as a clear winner when you need to save your file in limited storage space.

Compression Ratio

Compared to H.264, H.265 offers twice the coding efficiency. This way saves approximately 50% of the bitrate with the same encoding quality. In other words, here's how H.265 behaves at different video resolutions.

Video Resolution Average Bit Reduction
4K UHD 65%
1080p Full HD 60%
720p HD 58%
480p SD 50%

Undoubtedly, H.265 is superior to H.264 when compression ratios are compared.

Platform and Device Compatibility

When we compared H264 vs H265 codecs in terms of compatibility, the former reigns supreme over H.265. Since its release in May 2003, H.264 has been ruling the digital industry and is quite popular worldwide. You may understand its popularity as if 100 platforms or devices support H.264, but H.265 receives support from only 30. After all, H.265 is a future, next-gen code for videos. So, slowly and gradually, more devices and platforms will support and accept it.

Performance

In terms of performance, you may get into the debate of H.264 vs H.265. While H.265 wins the war on all fronts, its limited adoption and lack of acceptance give it minimal recognition, resulting in low popularity. On the contrary, H.264 might not win the overall war, but it does stand tall in everyday use cases with widespread compatibility on common devices and platforms.

Also, you must not forget that H.265 can compress videos more efficiently compared to the AVC codec. It does not interfere with the image quality during compression. Rather, H.264 may not be the ideal codec for 4K streaming, and HEVC may prove to be an asset. H.265 lets you decode faster, smaller, and better.

Key Factors Performance of H.265 (HEVC) codec
Compression Ratio 200% higher than H.264 (AVC) codec
Bitrate 40%-50% lower bitrate than H.264 (AVC)
Bandwidth Saves 70%-80% of bandwidth for the same video quality

Royalty

H.265 and H.264 differ in licensing structure. Anyone can use it for free for personal use. However, you may need to pay a license fee for commercial use. While H.264 involves a licensing fee from one entity, H.265 may be expensive as it requires fees from multiple entities.

Use Cases and Applications of H.264

The H.264 (AVC) codec balances compression efficiency with compatibility across different devices and platforms really well, making it suitable for various applications. The AVC codec is governed by its high compatibility, relatively low decoding complexity, and good enough compression for most standard-definition and high-definition video needs.

The table below will help you identify its use cases and what makes it ideal for the same.

Use Cases and Applications

Reason for the Suitability of H.264 (AVC) Codec

Video Streaming (Online)

 Efficient compression and widely supported on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix

Video Conferencing

 Low latency and broad hardware support (Zoom, Skype, etc.)

Broadcast TV

 Used in HDTV and satellite TV due to its standardized format
Blu-ray Discs Official codec for Blu-ray video content
Security Cameras (CCTV) Good video quality with manageable file sizes
Video Playback (Mobile Phones) Nearly all smartphones and tablets support AVC
Video Editing & Production Compatible with most editing software and hardware acceleration

Use Cases and Applications of H.265

When you have a limited bandwidth and storage efficiency is a priority, the H.265 (HEVC) codec can be the ideal solution. It is especially valuable when you do not want to compromise video quality.

The table below shows how H.265 (HEVC) can help you in different cases and scenarios.

Use Cases and Applications Reason for the Suitability of H.265 (HEVC) Codec
4K & 8K Video Streaming Superior compression enables smooth streaming at ultra HD resolutions (e.g., Netflix, Amazon Prime)
Video Surveillance (CCTV) Saves bandwidth and storage while maintaining high video quality
UHD Blu-ray Discs Required standard for ultra-high-definition physical media
Video Conferencing Improves clarity while reducing required bandwidth (e.g., on high-resolution calls)
Broadcasting & OTT Platforms Efficient for transmitting high-quality live and on-demand content
Video Playback (Mobile Devices) Delivers better quality at lower data consumption — ideal for 4G/5G streaming
Virtual Reality (VR) & 360° Video Handles high-resolution panoramic content efficiently
Cloud Video Storage Reduces storage costs with efficient encoding for long-term archiving

FAQs

Q.1. What is better for video streaming: H.264 or H.265?

Considering streaming high-quality videos, H.265 appears to be a better choice than H.264. H.265 requires lower bitrates and better quality for visual streaming, while H.264 is inefficient. The former allows streaming services to save on bandwidth costs. Just remember that the H.265 video codec can be slightly slower in terms of transcoding speed, compared to H.264.

Q.2. Does YouTube support H.265 video codec?

Yes. While H.265 is the latest and most efficient format, YouTube supports and accepts H.265 (HEVC) uploads. However, it prefers the H.264 video codec over H.265 due to its broad support and access. Also, YouTube's official playback can auto-transcode H.265 to H.264 for wider compatibility.

Q.3. Is H265 better than H264?

It depends mainly on your use cases and priorities. Compared to H.264, H.265 delivers more detailed and sharper images with fewer artifacts, making it slightly better than the AVC codec. Its superior compression artifacts do not compromise the visual quality, keeping it high and suitable for UHD content. However, it may require higher processing power and encoding time.

Final Wrap Up

The debate on which codec is better, H264 vs H265, has now concluded. H.264 stands out in popularity and compatibility across various devices and platforms. However, H.265 is a next-gen video codec, surpassing AVC in terms of compression, video quality, file size, and bitrates. While we have provided sufficient information and differences of H.264 vs H.265, you are the ultimate judge in deciding which codec meets your distinct needs.