Compare software

x265 vs x264: catalog facts
x265	x264
Free Free under the GPL-2.0, with a paid commercial license for proprietary use.	Free Free and open source under the GNU GPL.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
Widely used reference-quality HEVC encoder Usable as a command-line tool or as a library	Fast real-time H.264 encoding on consumer hardware Psychovisual optimizations for visual quality
Command-line only, with no graphical interface of its own HEVC playback and distribution can involve patent licensing questions	Command-line only, with no graphical interface Encodes H.264 only, not newer formats such as HEVC or AV1
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: GPL-2.0	License: GPL-2.0-or-later
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.