AVI vs WMV: Which Should You Use?

Side-by-side comparison of AVI and WMV video formats — features, pros, cons, and conversion options.

Quick Answer

AVI is best for Legacy video storage and Windows compatibility. WMV is best for Legacy Windows video and DRM-protected content.

Quick Verdict

AVI Best for Legacy video storage and Windows compatibility

✓ Wide compatibility
✓ Simple container format
✓ Good for editing
✗ Large file size

Convert AVI to WMV →

WMV Best for Legacy Windows video and DRM-protected content

✓ DRM support
✓ Windows integration
✓ Reasonable compression
✗ Poor cross-platform support

Convert WMV to AVI →

Specs Comparison

Side-by-side technical comparison of AVI and WMV

Feature	AVI	WMV
Category	Video	Video
Year Introduced	1992	1999
MIME Type	video/x-msvideo	video/x-ms-wmv
Extensions	.avi	.wmv
Container	✓	✓
Codecs	DivX,Xvid,MJPEG,H.264	WMV9,VC-1
Max Resolution	4K	1080p
Streaming	✗	✓
Subtitle Support	✗	✗

Pros & Cons

AVI

Pros

✓ Wide compatibility
✓ Simple container format
✓ Good for editing

Cons

✗ Large file size
✗ Limited modern codec support
✗ No native streaming

WMV

Pros

✓ DRM support
✓ Windows integration
✓ Reasonable compression

Cons

✗ Poor cross-platform support
✗ Proprietary
✗ Declining usage

When to Use Each

Choose AVI when...

You need files optimized for Legacy video storage and Windows compatibility
Wide compatibility
Simple container format

Choose WMV when...

You need files optimized for Legacy Windows video and DRM-protected content
DRM support
Windows integration

How to Convert

Convert between AVI and WMV for free on ChangeThisFile

Convert AVI to WMV Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing Convert WMV to AVI Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between AVI and WMV?

AVI is best for Legacy video storage and Windows compatibility, while WMV is best for Legacy Windows video and DRM-protected content. Both are video formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.

Is AVI or WMV better for video?

It depends on your use case. AVI is better for Legacy video storage and Windows compatibility. WMV is better for Legacy Windows video and DRM-protected content. Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.

How do I convert AVI to WMV?

Go to the AVI to WMV converter on ChangeThisFile. Upload your file and the conversion processes on the server, then auto-deletes. It's free with no signup required.

Can I convert WMV to AVI?

Yes. ChangeThisFile supports WMV to AVI conversion. Upload your file for server-side conversion — files are auto-deleted after processing.

Which is smaller, AVI or WMV?

File size varies depending on the content, compression method, and quality settings of each format. In general, lossy formats produce smaller files than lossless ones. Test with your specific files to compare actual sizes.

Does AVI support streaming?

No, AVI does not support streaming, whereas WMV does. This may be an important factor depending on your use case.

Is AVI or WMV free to use?

Both AVI and WMV are supported file formats that are free to use. You can convert between them for free on ChangeThisFile — server-side conversions are free with no signup required.

Which format is newer, AVI or WMV?

WMV is newer — it was introduced in 1999, while AVI dates back to 1992. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.