Format comparison
MP4 vs WEBM
By Suprabhat Updated How we write these
The short answer
WebM is the open format made for the web, and VP9 or AV1 inside it can be smaller than H.264 in MP4. MP4 is still the more compatible choice: it plays on iPhones, TVs and in every editor and social app.
MPEG-4 Part 14
Choose MP4 when
- Sharing a video with people or apps
- Uploading to social media
- Playback on Apple devices and TVs
WebM
Choose WEBM when
- Video embedded in your own website
- You prefer royalty-free codecs
- Screen recordings from Chrome
Side by side
| Property | MP4 | WEBM |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-4 Part 14 | WebM |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Usually contains | H.264 or HEVC video with AAC audio | VP9 or AV1 video with Opus audio |
| Typical size | 1080p phone video runs roughly 60–130 MB a minute | Usually a little smaller than MP4 at the same quality |
| Support | Opens everywhere | Current browsers and apps |
| Opens on | Every phone, browser, TV, editor, chat app and upload form | Chrome, Firefox, Edge and recent Safari, but not the iPhone Photos app, many editors or social uploads |
| Best for | Sharing video anywhere | Video embedded in web pages, and browser screen recordings |
| Introduced | 2003 | 2010 |
Watch out with MP4
An MP4 that won’t play is rarely broken; it usually holds a newer codec such as HEVC or AV1 that the player doesn’t support.
Watch out with WEBM
Browser screen recorders save WEBM, and the recording then fails to upload or attach almost everywhere else.
Need to switch?
Convert in your browser in a few seconds. Nothing is uploaded, and there is no size limit.
Questions
Is MP4 better than WEBM?
WebM is the open format made for the web, and VP9 or AV1 inside it can be smaller than H.264 in MP4. MP4 is still the more compatible choice: it plays on iPhones, TVs and in every editor and social app.
Which is smaller, MP4 or WEBM?
WEBM is usually smaller for the same content. MP4: 1080p phone video runs roughly 60–130 MB a minute. WEBM: Usually a little smaller than MP4 at the same quality.
How do I convert MP4 to WEBM?
Use the free MP4 to WEBM converter. It runs in your browser, so the file is never uploaded.
How do I convert WEBM to MP4?
Use the free WEBM to MP4 converter. It works the same way, entirely on your device.
More format comparisons
- Format comparison
MP4 vs MOV: which should you use?
MP4 and MOV usually contain exactly the same video, so quality isn’t the difference. MP4 plays on everything and is what websites and apps expect; MOV is Apple’s format, best kept for editing in Final Cut or iMovie. - Format comparison
MP4 vs MKV: which should you use?
MKV can hold almost anything, including several audio languages and subtitle tracks, which makes it ideal for a media library. MP4 holds less but plays on phones, browsers, editors and social apps, so it wins whenever a video is shared. - Format comparison
AVI vs MP4: which should you use?
AVI is a 1990s container that usually holds older, less efficient codecs, so the same video is often much larger and won’t play on phones or in browsers. Convert AVI to MP4 unless an old device or program specifically needs AVI. - Format comparison
MKV vs AVI: which should you use?
MKV is the modern choice: it holds any codec, several audio tracks, subtitles and chapters, and handles HD video properly. AVI dates from 1992 and is tied to older codecs like DivX and Xvid, so the only reason to keep one is an old DVD player or TV that reads nothing else.