MP4 vs 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.
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.