2024 | MKV vs MP4, Which One is Better

MKV and MP4 are both video formats. Technically they are containers which include video, audio, subtitles, and even images. While MKV files are best used on larger devices with less compression, MP4 is suited best for smaller devices. MKV vs. MP4 and choosing between them will depend on where the video file has to be used. If you want better compression, MP4 is a great choice, but if you want better quality on the desktop, choose MKV.

There are tons of video formats available, and most of them need a suitable video player. Two popular formats are given, including MKV and MP4, and they both are containers that can house any format of audio, video, SRT, and other files.

This guide shows MKV vs. MP4. That said, they do differ from each other in terms of features and other advantages. MKV formats are known to be played by the VLC media player and offer flexibility to include more items keeping high quality. Although the MP4 format is also a container, it offers higher compression, which makes it suitable for almost any device.

When it comes to choosing the formats, it depends on where you want to use the video. If you are planning to deliver on smaller devices where quality can be compromised a little, MP4 is a good choice. MKV makes a better choice for its high-quality and live streaming support for larger devices and streaming.

Related Article>> MOV vs MP4

MKV vs. MP4, Which Is More Practical?

Both formats are containers, and they differ from each a few places. Everything depends on the quality of the audio and video files in the MKV and MP4 containers. If you place low-quality video in MKV and high in MP4, they don't have a difference. Similarly, both can include any codec. Below is a demonstration chart.

There is no clear winner when it comes to choosing between any of these formats, and it depends on when they are used. It is better to use MKV when streaming as the size is small and supported by HLS and MPEG-DASH.

However, MP4 does a lot better when you need multiple tracks, subtitles, and support for DVD. It means that MKV supports more codecs allowing more vendors.

MKV & MP4 Overview

To know more details about these two formats. 

MKV Overview

Matroska Video files or MKV was developed in 2002 as an open-source container so anyone can use it. It was built so it remains future-proof and supports the highest possible quality of both video and audio formats. MKV also offers features that are better than MP4, but it has its segment of device and user base.

MP4 Overview

MPEG-4 Part 14 or MP4 is also a digital multimedia container that stores video, audio, images, subtitles, and more. It can also be streamed on the internet. It was released in 2003, which allowed a high degree of compression without loss in quality. This makes it affordable to be used on mobile and smaller devices.

Advantages of MKV & MP4

Best Format Converter for MKV and MP4 Formats

Those two formats are suitable in different usage scenarios, and you can choose from them according to your demands. When you get a video in other formats, some video converters can help you convert it to those two formats.

Tool 1. EaseUS Video Converter

For Windows users who need to convert video and audio files, EaseUS Video Converter is the go-to choice. This all-in-one converting software supports process videos up to 8K so that you don't need to worry about the quality of the output video. And this converter is capable of converting more than 1000 formats of video/audio, including MKV and MP4.

As a versatile converting app, it also offers you many built-in tools. For instance, if you want to rip the soundtrack from a video, an audio extractor can help. A file merger is also available, and you can use it when you are tired of managing many video and audio clips. Besides those tools, this software also enables you to preview the files using a built-in media player.

This tutorial will take converting MKV to MP4 as an example and show you how to use this video converter. Follow the steps to get the video format you like.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Video Converter on your PC, and choose the "Video Converter." Click on the "Choose Files" button to import the video you want to convert. It also allows you to drag and drop the video to import it.

Step 2. Click on the "Settings" option to select the target format. You can choose MP4 as the output format and adjust the resolution and bitrate properly.

Step 3. Customize the folder to save the MP4 video after conversion. Two buttons are available to converter the file. The "Convert" button can help you convert one video, while the "Convert All" button can process a batch of videos. 

Step 4. In the "Finished" tab, you can find the converted MP4 video. If you want to preview it, click on the "Open" button to activate the built-in media player.

Tool 2. EaseUS Video Editor

EaseUS Video Editor is a powerful video editor that supports a wide variety of formats, both when it comes to input and output format. You can export into MP4, AVI, WMV, MKV, MOV, and GIF. You can also configure the output quality and choose supported encoders such as H.264, HEVC, and MPEG4.

Apart from this, EaseUS Video Editor has no limit on file size. When you choose to convert, it can handle plenty of formats and common use resolution, which is a big plus. The video editor also offers strong editing functions. Now, let's take a look at how to convert MKV files to MP4 format with EaseUS Video Editor.

Step 1. Import the Video file

Launch EaseUS Video Editor. Import the AVI file by clicking "Import" or simply dragging the video to the appropriate area.

Step 2. Export the Video

Add the imported file to the track by choosing the "Add to Project" option, or you can drag and place the file to the track as you want. Then, click the blue "Export" to get the converted file. 

Step 3. Choose MP4 as Output Format

From the Export window, you can select MP4 as the output format from the "Video format" option. Meanwhile, it's your choice to set the quality, name, output folder, etc.  

Now, you can click the button below to download EaseUS Video Editor.

Conclusion

While MKV is one of the most versatile formats when it comes to features, it is not widely supported. If you get an MKV file on your Windows, you need to convert it into MP4. EaseUS Video Converter supports multiple video formats and hence will be able to convert any file format into MP4, not just MKV.

FAQs About MKV vs. MP4

Here have some questions about MKV and MP4 file formats. If you want to know more, you can keep on reading.

1. Which video quality is the best, MKV or MP4?

Since both are containers, it depends on the video quality that is included inside them. If the quality packed inside MKV is better compared to MP4, then MKV will be treated as a better format.

2. Is MP4 better than MKV?

When it comes to streaming video files on the internet, offer a smaller video file size with a little compromise on quality, then MKV is better. However, if you want to use it on a DVD, MKV is a better choice.

3. Why can't I play MKV files on my PC?

If you cannot play the MKV file on your PC, then it means it is not supported by the Photos app and the Windows Media Player. You can use EaseUS Video Converter to convert MKV to MP4.

4. Can Windows 10 play MKV files?

Windows 10 cannot play MKV files on its own. Instead, you can use EaseUS Video Converter to convert the MKV file to MP4. It offers configuration, which makes sure you can retain the best quality even as MP4.