AV1 vs VP9: Which Codec Should You Choose?

Define the alternatives

This comparison covers AV1 and VP9 for one decision: which codec to use when recording, exporting, streaming or converting video from cameras, screen captures, video calls and related media tools. It does not cover every media player, editing program or device.

VP9 is an open, royalty-free video codec developed by Google. It is widely used for web video and is supported by many browsers, mobile devices and streaming platforms. AV1 is a newer open, royalty-free codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media. It was designed to improve compression over VP9 while keeping the same general licensing approach.

When people compare AV1 and VP9 for camera or video call work, the intended use usually affects the decision. Recording a local file, sharing a clip online, editing footage and live encoding place different demands on a codec.

Compare meaningful differences

Compatibility differs by software version and device. VP9 has been available longer, so it appears in a wider range of older browsers, players and editing tools. AV1 support has expanded, but the exact hardware or software version matters. A camera, capture app or video call service may support one codec and not the other.

Encoding speed is a practical difference. AV1 can offer better compression, but software-only AV1 encoding is often slower than software-only VP9 encoding on the same computer. Hardware encoding changes this: some newer processors and graphics chips include an AV1 encoder, while others support only VP9 hardware encoding or no hardware encoding for either codec.

Output settings also differ between tools. One export dialog may offer VP9 only inside a WebM container, while another may offer AV1 in WebM or another container. Check the target app's supported container and codec list before choosing.

Privacy and file handling are not codec features by themselves. A codec determines how video is compressed, but where a recording is stored, whether a call is encrypted, and which service receives the file depend on the app, platform and account settings. Verify those settings for the specific tool you are using.

Version dependencies are important. A browser may play AV1 on a current version but fall back to VP9 on an older system without AV1 decoding support. Some editing applications decode AV1 only with a specific update or hardware driver. Confirm the supported codec in the actual version you have installed.

Practical trade-offs

For a short local screen recording or webcam test clip, compatibility and encoding speed usually matter more than saving a few percent of file size. VP9 is often the lower-risk choice when the recording must open quickly on an older machine or in a basic editor.

For a large archive of camera footage or a long upload with limited storage or bandwidth, AV1 can be attractive if your encoder and playback devices support it. The smaller file size can help, but only when the slower software encoding is acceptable or compatible hardware encoding is available.

Published specifications describe how these codecs are designed, but real-world file size, quality and speed depend on encoder settings, resolution, bitrate, content and hardware. Treat measured results as something to test on your own device rather than assume from a specification.

Live video calls rarely let you choose AV1 or VP9 directly. The calling service negotiates the codec based on the app version, device support and network conditions. In that situation, focus on whether the app works with your camera and microphone rather than forcing a codec.

Choose for the use case

Choose VP9 when you need broad compatibility with older software, fast software encoding, or a predictable local recording workflow. It is a safe default for clips that will be opened in several different tools or shared with users on varied devices.

Choose AV1 when your recording tool, editor and target playback device all support it, and when file size or bandwidth saving is more important than encoding time. AV1 is more practical when hardware AV1 encoding or a fast enough CPU is available.

When both codecs appear in an export menu, make a short test clip with the same source video and compare file size, preview smoothness and playback on the intended device. That gives you a version-specific answer that a general codec comparison cannot provide.