WEBM vs MP4
WEBM and MP4 are both web-friendly video containers. WEBM is an open, royalty-free format built by Google for HTML5 video, using VP8/VP9 or AV1 codecs. MP4 is the universal standard that plays everywhere, including older devices and editing software.
Use WEBM for embedding video on websites where royalty-free codecs and smaller files help, especially as the primary HTML5 source. Use MP4 for universal compatibility, downloads, editing, and as a fallback for older browsers and devices.
WEBM vs MP4: side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | WEBM | MP4 |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Open, royalty-free | Patented codecs (H.264/H.265) |
| Typical codecs | VP8 / VP9 / AV1 | H.264 / H.265 |
| Web (HTML5) support | Excellent | Excellent |
| Device/editor support | Limited offline | Universal |
| File size | Often smaller | Competitive |
| Best for | Web embedding | Sharing, editing, downloads |
What is WEBM and what is MP4?
WEBM
WEBM is an open container designed for the web, pairing VP8/VP9 or AV1 video with Vorbis or Opus audio. Being royalty-free, it is popular for HTML5 video and often yields smaller files, but it is poorly supported in offline players and editors.
MP4
MP4 with H.264 is the most compatible video format in existence, playing in every browser, device, and editor. It is the safe choice for downloads, sharing, and editing, and serves as the standard fallback when WEBM is not supported.
When to use which
Choose WEBM
Choose WEBM as the primary source for HTML5 `<video>` on your site to save bandwidth with royalty-free codecs.
Choose MP4
Choose MP4 for downloads, editing, sharing, and as a fallback so the video plays on every device and older browser.
Convert between these formats
Use our free, browser-based converters: