FLV vs. MP4: Which One is Better

There is an overwhelming variety of video file formats to choose from, so deciding the best format for you might be difficult. FLV and MP4 are two of the most popular file formats, but which one is better than the other, and how?

Although FLV and MP4 appear to be very parallel, they each have their own set of pros and cons. Even if you haven't used them, you will probably come across them regularly.

This article covers FLV vs. MP4 that will help you decide which is best for you. Moreover, a bonus tip explains the conversion between these two formats with EaseUS Video Converter at the end of the article.

FLV vs. MP4: What's the Difference

Moving Picture Experts Group developed MP4, also known as MPEG-4, as a video file format that employs independent compression for video and audio files. It uses MP4 video encoding to compress video and AAC for audio file compression. In essence, the MP4 is a container format that can store audio and video content by digitally encoding the data. The MP4 file extension is the sole official file extension for the MP4 file format.

Flash Video File (FLV) is an Adobe Systems format with a short header, video, metadata packets, interleaved audio, and data saved in comparable formats (.SWF) files. Flash Video is a container for video streams embedded in Adobe applications. It plays with the help of the Flash plugin.

Let us see what we can find out in MP4 vs. FLV!

When to Use FLV or MP4

The ease of use, quality, and adaptability of the MP4 file format is significantly advantageous; that's why the file format is widely used. MP4 is the format to choose if you wish to view the video on portable devices like media players and smartphones.

On the other hand, FLV is an excellent choice for uploading and sharing videos on the internet. However, you should know that you need the Flash browser plugin to view it.

As mentioned above, the decision after FLV vs. MP4 boils down to your needs.

How to Convert FLV to MP4 or Vice Versa

While doing the FLV vs. MP4 comparison, both formats have their advantages. So, you will always require to convert between these two formats. The best software for conversion is EaseUS Video Converter. Wondering how? Let us know more!

EaseUS Video Converter is an all-in-one free converter featuring a straightforward interface to help even naive users to perform the task without any guidance. It supports many input and output formats ranging from MP4 and FLV to AVI, MP3, and MPEG. Also, the way the software displays output formats is relatively user-friendly. Moreover, it would be a relief when you come to the ease of the software, which never comes at the functionality price.

Along with that, you can convert many files into batches without spending much time. You can combine clips and make one file as they get converted. If you value efficiency and fast speed, this is an excellent video converter for you. 

Here is the step-by-step guide to convert video file formats:

Step 1. Import Target Videos

Open EaseUS Video Converter. Click "Video Converter" > "Choose Files" to import videos. If you have several files in a folder, you can directly import the folder by clicking the down arrow icon next to the plus icon and selecting "Add Folder".

Step 2. Adjust Settings for Output Files

Click "Settings" to select the output format, and your desired quality and resolution. 

For advanced settings, you can click "Edit" to change the output file's parameters or file name. 

Step 3. Start Conversion

Go back to the main interface, you can change the saving path by clicking the down arrow icon at the bottom. Then you can click "Convert" or "Convert All" to start your video conversion task.

Step 4. View Converted Files

Once done, click "Finished" to view your converted files. Here you can play, rename, or delete your output files flexibly.

The Bottom Line

You may encounter situations to compare video formats like FLV vs. MP4 when watching videos daily. After deciding the suitable format, the next step is to convert between these two. Many software is available to help you, but you may not find the one that satisfies your needs. Using EaseUS Video Converter can serve you best with its extensive features.