AV1 vs AV2 compares a production-ready codec with its newer successor. AV1 remains practical for most deployments due to broader implementation and hardware support. AV2 targets higher compression efficiency and advanced media experiences but its ecosystem is still developing.

Major platforms already use AV1. Netflix reported 30% of viewing powered by AV1 in December 2025. Meta achieved 12% average bitrate reduction for Reels and 20% reduction vs H.264 in real-time tests. YouTube and Google support AV1 across Android, Google Meet, and live streaming. Hardware support exists from Intel, Samsung, and Android devices.

AV2 specification finalized in 2026 promises ~30% better compression than AV1. However, commercial encoders, hardware acceleration, and player integrations need to mature. Both codecs use AOMedia's royalty-free patent policy. Dan Rayburn's summary of NET INT's 2026 survey identifies hardware decode support and encoding costs as AV1 adoption barriers.

For most organizations, AV1 is the practical choice today while AV2 should be monitored. Teams should evaluate visual quality, encoding/decoding cost, device support, licensing, latency, and workflow maturity beyond just bitrate.