FLV vs QuickTime: Which Should You Use?

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

Quick Answer

FLV is best for Legacy Flash-based web video (largely obsolete). QuickTime is best for Professional video editing on macOS.

Quick Verdict

FLV Best for Legacy Flash-based web video (largely obsolete)

✓ Small file size
✓ Fast loading
✓ Flash Player legacy support
✗ Flash is deprecated

Convert FLV to QuickTime →

QuickTime Best for Professional video editing on macOS

✓ High quality
✓ Professional editing support
✓ Apple ecosystem integration
✗ Large file sizes

Convert QuickTime to FLV →

Specs Comparison

Side-by-side technical comparison of FLV and QuickTime

Feature	FLV	QuickTime
Category	Video	Video
Year Introduced	2003	1991
MIME Type	video/x-flv	video/quicktime
Extensions	.flv	.mov
Container	✓	✓
Codecs	H.264,VP6,Sorenson Spark	H.264,H.265,ProRes,Apple Intermediate Codec
Max Resolution	1080p	8K
Streaming	✓	✓
Subtitle Support	✗	✓

Pros & Cons

FLV

Pros

✓ Small file size
✓ Fast loading
✓ Flash Player legacy support

Cons

✗ Flash is deprecated
✗ Poor mobile support
✗ Limited modern use

QuickTime

Pros

✓ High quality
✓ Professional editing support
✓ Apple ecosystem integration

Cons

✗ Large file sizes
✗ Less cross-platform than MP4
✗ Proprietary Apple format

When to Use Each

Choose FLV when...

You need files optimized for Legacy Flash-based web video (largely obsolete)
Small file size
Fast loading

Choose QuickTime when...

You need files optimized for Professional video editing on macOS
High quality
Professional editing support

How to Convert

Convert between FLV and QuickTime for free on ChangeThisFile

Convert FLV to QuickTime Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing Convert QuickTime to FLV Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between FLV and QuickTime?

FLV is best for Legacy Flash-based web video (largely obsolete), while QuickTime is best for Professional video editing on macOS. Both are video formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.

Is FLV or QuickTime better for video?

It depends on your use case. FLV is better for Legacy Flash-based web video (largely obsolete). QuickTime is better for Professional video editing on macOS. Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.

How do I convert FLV to QuickTime?

Go to the FLV to QuickTime 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 QuickTime to FLV?

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

Which is smaller, FLV or QuickTime?

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 FLV support subtitle support?

No, FLV does not support subtitle support, whereas QuickTime does. This may be an important factor depending on your use case.

Is FLV or QuickTime free to use?

Both FLV and QuickTime 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, FLV or QuickTime?

FLV is newer — it was introduced in 2003, while QuickTime dates back to 1991. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.