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How do I choose the right codecs when exporting for YouTube vs. Vimeo?

Asked on Nov 03, 2025

Answer

When exporting video for platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, selecting the appropriate codec is crucial for maintaining quality while ensuring compatibility and efficient streaming. Both platforms recommend using the H.264 codec for video, which provides a good balance between quality and file size.

Choose the H.264 codec for both YouTube and Vimeo, as it is widely supported and offers efficient compression.
Set the container format to MP4, which is compatible with both platforms and ensures smooth playback.
Adjust the bitrate settings: for YouTube, aim for a bitrate of 8 Mbps for 1080p HD, while Vimeo recommends a bitrate of 10-20 Mbps for the same resolution.

Additional Comment:

Both platforms support resolutions up to 4K, but ensure your export settings match the resolution of your source footage for optimal quality.
Consider enabling "Maximum Render Quality" in your editing software to enhance the final output, especially for high-resolution exports.
Use AAC for audio with a sample rate of 48 kHz and a bitrate of 320 kbps for both platforms to ensure high-quality sound.

✅ Answered with Video Editing best practices.

Didn’t find the answer you were looking for?

How do I choose the right codecs when exporting for YouTube vs. Vimeo?

Asked on Nov 03, 2025

Answer

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