HLS vs DASH: Complete Protocol Comparison
Published on Jan 8, 2026
HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) are the two most popular adaptive streaming protocols today. This article provides a comprehensive technical comparison.
HLS
HTTP Live Streaming
- โข Developed by Apple, released 2009
- โข Uses .m3u8 playlists
- โข Native iOS/macOS support
- โข Highest market share
DASH
Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP
- โข Developed by MPEG, released 2012
- โข Uses .mpd manifest files
- โข Open standard, vendor neutral
- โข More flexible codec support
๐ Detailed Comparison
| Feature | HLS | DASH |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Apple | MPEG |
| Release Year | 2009 | 2012 |
| Manifest Format | .m3u8 | .mpd (XML) |
| Video Container | .ts / .fmp4 | .mp4 / .webm |
| Codecs | H.264, H.265, AAC | H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1 |
| Default Segment | 6-10s | 2-4s |
| iOS Native | โ Yes | โ No |
| Android Native | โ Yes | โ Yes |
| Browser Support | Needs hls.js | Needs dash.js |
| DRM Support | FairPlay | Widevine, PlayReady |
| Latency | Higher (15-30s) | Lower (3-10s) |
โ HLS Advantages
๐ Native Apple Ecosystem Support
iOS, macOS, tvOS, and Safari natively support HLS without any plugins or libraries. This gives HLS unmatched compatibility on mobile devices.
๐ Wide CDN Support
Almost all CDN providers have comprehensive HLS support, including cache optimization and edge computing features.
๐ Mature and Stable
With over 15 years of development, HLS is very mature with comprehensive documentation, active community, and abundant troubleshooting resources.
โ DASH Advantages
๐ Open Standard
DASH is an ISO international standard (ISO/IEC 23009), not controlled by any single vendor, making it more open and neutral.
๐ฏ Lower Latency
DASH supports shorter segment durations (2-4s), and with CMAF can achieve lower end-to-end latency, ideal for live streaming.
๐ฌ More Flexible Codecs
DASH has better support for next-gen codecs like VP9 and AV1, providing higher quality at the same bandwidth.
๐ค How to Choose?
Choose HLS when:
- โ Target users mainly use iOS devices
- โ Need widest device compatibility
- โ Using Apple FairPlay DRM
- โ Latency not critical (VOD scenarios)
Choose DASH when:
- โ Need low-latency live streaming
- โ Using Widevine/PlayReady DRM
- โ Want to use AV1 or other new codecs
- โ Mainly targeting Android/Web users
๐ Industry Trends
The current industry trend is to support both HLS and DASH, using CMAF (Common Media Application Format) as a unified media format. This allows:
- โข Encode once, deliver via multiple protocols
- โข Reduce storage and CDN costs
- โข Simplify workflows
Major platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ have adopted this hybrid approach.
๐ก Summary
Both HLS and DASH have their strengths with no absolute winner. HLS leads in compatibility and maturity, while DASH excels in flexibility and low latency. For most scenarios, HLS is recommended as it covers the widest user base.