WATCH: VP8 vs H264, Which Codec Is Better & How to Convert

There are many different video codecs, such as VP8, VP9, H264, H265, AV1, and more. It is essential to choose an appropriate video codec since it is related to video quality, file size, playback compatibility, and other aspects. VP8 vs H264, which one should you choose? In the following content, I’ll give a brief introduction to VP8 and H264 and then present a comparison between the two video codecs. Now, let’s get started.

Overview of VP8 and H264

What are VP8 and H264? VP8 is an open and royalty-free video compression format as a propriety successor to VP7. Moreover, it was introduced as a competitor to h264. It can be contained in WebM and MKV. H264, called AVC or Advanced Video Coding, is a video compression standard that is commonly used for recording, compression, and distribution of video content.

What are the main differences between VP8 and H264? Let’s look at the comparison below from 4 main aspects, including the licensing cost, video quality, compatibility, and encoding speed. Follow me to check them one by one.

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VP8 vs H264: Licensing Cost

Considering the licensing cost, VP8 encoder has an edge. It is open and royalty-free. Moreover, as a competitor to H264, VP8 aims to provide a free alternative for video encoding and decoding. H264 is a propriety codec and requires licensing fees.

VP8 vs H264: Video Quality

Compared with VP8, H264 performs better in providing better video quality at the same bitrate. On the other hand, VP8 provides smaller file sizes. Hence, H264 is more efficient for high-quality video streaming, while VP8 is an ideal choice for fast loading speeds owing to its smaller file sizes.

VP8 vs H264: Compatibility

VP8 is mainly used in WebM format, making it widely used for online video streaming. In addition, VP8 can also be used in desktop and mobile applications. H264 is one of the most popular video coding standards which is supported by a wide range of devices, operating systems, and platforms. In terms of the compatibility, H264 is the winner.

VP8 vs H264: Encoding Speed

H264 vs VP8, whose encoding speed is faster? H.264 has a faster encoding speed, especially when using optimized settings. VP8 has a slower encoding speed, requiring more processing power and encoding time.

Both VP8 and H264 are good video codecs. They have advantages and disadvantages. You need to make the right choice based on your specific video needs. VP8 should be your choice if you need a video codec that can provide a smaller file size and is royalty-free. If you need to provide high-quality videos with better compatibility, H264 is the right choice.

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How to Change the Video Codec from VP8 to H264

Sometimes, you may want to change the video codec of a video file. A reliable video transcoder or converter can give you a hand. Here, I highly recommend MiniTool Video Converter which is a completely free file converter for video and audio files. It supports a wide range of formats and codecs, including but not limited to MP4, MKV, WebM, 3GP, FLV, WMA, AAC, AV1, VP9, VP8, H264, Opus, and more.

It enables you to convert between video and audio files and change the codec of video and audio files. Additionally, it provides you with more options to adjust the resolution, frame rate, sample rate, etc. With its batch conversion feature, you can convert or transcode up to 5 files at the same time. Refer to the below guidance on how to change the video codec from VP8 to H264.

Step 1. Download, install, and launch MiniTool Video Converter.

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Step 2. Click the Add Files option to import the video file encoded by VP8.

Step 3. In the Target section, click the diagonal arrow to open the output format window, go to the Video tab, and choose a video format that can contain H264. You can choose MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, M4V, and others. Here, I take MP4 as an example.

Step 4. Click on + Create Custom after choosing MP4 and open the Encoder list in the Video section to choose H264. Meanwhile, you can adjust other format parameters. Later, click Create to save the changes and then choose the newly created MP4 format.

Step 5. Click the Convert button to transcode VP8 to H264. Once over, switch to the Converted subtab and click Show in folder to locate and check the transcoded video.

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Final Words

VP8 vs H264, which video codec should be your choice? In the above content, I have shown the differences between VP8 and H264 from 4 main aspects. You can choose an appropriate codec based on your needs. If you need to change VP8 to H264, you can also use MiniTool Video Converter to complete the task.