# Compare image import and instance import processes in VM Import/Export
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The following table summarizes the key differences between image import and instance import.


| Characteristic | Image import (Recommended) | Instance import | 
| --- | --- | --- | 
| CLI support | AWS CLI | Amazon EC2 CLI | 
| Supported formats for import | OVA, VHD, VHDX, VMDK, raw | VHD, VMDK, raw | 
| Multi-disk support | ✔ |  | 
| Windows BYOL support | ✔ |  | 

For additional information on these import processes, see [Image import overview](image-import.md) and [Instance import overview](instance-import.md).