AV1 vs VP9: What Are the Differences and Which Codec Is Better

Both AV1 and VP9 are two of the most popular and open-source codecs. When you choose one from them for your video codec, you may be confused and don’t know which one should you choose, especially if you are a non-technical user. Is AV1 better than VP9 and what are the differences between them? The comprehensive comparison of AV1 vs VP9 is included in the following content. Before exploring their differences, it is necessary to have a better understanding of AV1 and VP9. Let’s delve into this post!

What Is VP9

VP9 is a royalty-free and open video coding format developed by Google in 2013. It is the successor to VP8 and a competitor to HEVC/H.265, which is primarily used for compressing video files to shrink their size while keeping high quality. It is widely used on YouTube and web browsers and for streaming services.

What Is AV1

AV1 (AOMedia Video 1), developed by the Alliance for Open Media in 2018, is an open-source and royalty-free video coding format. It was initially designed for transmission over the Internet as the successor to VP9.

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Side-by-Side Comparison of AV1 vs VP9

AV1 or VP9, which one is better? Now that you have a basic understanding of both AV1 and VP9, let’s discuss the main differences between them from 4 aspects, including compression efficiency, quality, computer requirement, and compatibility & adoption.

#1. AV1 vs VP9: Compression Efficiency

In terms of compression efficiency, AV1 has an edge. AV1, as a successor of VP9, provides up to 30% better compression efficiency than VP9. VP9 can get reduced file size and lower bitrates without any discernable difference in quality. Hence, AV1 is a better choice for streaming high-quality videos. For instance, YouTube has adopted AV1 for 8K videos in recent years.

#2. AV1 vs VP9: Quality

Quality is also one of the important factors when choosing a codec or format. Both AV1 and VP9 provide excellent video quality by supporting High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) for more realistic and vibrant colors. Compared with VP9, AV1 goes one step further. Because AV1 has better filters, advanced predictions, and better frame partitioning, AV1 can offer better relative quality at lower bitrates than VP9, hence introducing fewer unwanted artifacts.

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#3. AV1 vs VP9: Computer Requirement and CPU Usage

It is equally important to take the CPU usage of your computer into consideration. The CPU usage is related to the complex degree of the encoding and decoding process. AV1 applies improved but complex mechanisms for the encoding and decoding process to achieve maximum compression and quality.

Therefore, the complexity of AV1 is higher than VP9, which makes AV1 resource-intensive. That means AV1 requires higher CPU usage and takes more encoding time on devices without hardware support for it. All in all, VP9 is the better choice when your PC doesn’t support high CPU usage or without hardware support.

#4. AV1 vs VP9: Compatibility and Adoption

Currently, VP9 has better compatibility than AV1, which is supported by Android, smart TVs, iOS/iPad, and browsers (like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera). On the other hand, AV1 is a new codec and has slow encoding speed and a lack of compatibility with some hardware and software, causing it not supported by some old devices and browsers.

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AV1 vs VP9: Which Codec Should You Choose

The purpose of comparing the differences between AV1 and VP9 is to decide which video codec should be your choice. After reading the comparison of VP9 vs AV1, some of you may have the answer to the choice. Some of you still hesitate about the choice. But don’t worry! Here, we will tell you the main usage of AV1 and VP9.

• For On-demand Streaming: Both AV1 and VP9 are suitable for on-demand streaming. For instance, YouTube videos can be encoded in both AV1 and VP9 codecs. But there is still as little distinction. The VP9 codec is widely used for HD/4K videos or VR videos while AV1 is more suitable for 8K UHD videos. Additionally, VP9 is restricted to the products of Google. However, AV1 can be used in Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
• For Live Streaming: Both of them can be used for live streaming on Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms. But VP9 is more suitable for live streaming because of its better compatibility. AV1 is less suitable for live video streaming because of its compatibility and encoding time.

Change the Video Codec from AV1 to VP9

Sometimes, you may need to change the video codec from AV1 to VP9 or vice versa. Choosing a good video converting tool can help you finish the work easily. MiniTool Video Converter is highly recommended. It can help you convert and compress videos with either AV1 or VP9 codec.

Additionally, it also supports other codecs, like H.264, H.265, MPEG-4, WMV, and more. You can choose the video formats and codecs according to your needs. With it, you can easily convert and compress video audio for different social media like YouTube and Instagram. Also, it enables you to convert videos for iPad, Samsung, and other devices. What’s more, MiniTool Video Converter supports batch video conversion.

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Final Words

AV1 or VP9, which one should be your choice? This post has introduced the definition of AV1 and VP9 to you for better understanding. Meanwhile, we have shown the side-by-side comparison of AV1 vs VP9. You can choose from them according to your needs.