vs
webm
MP4 vs WebM: which is better for web video?
A clear, practical comparison with a straight answer.
Use MP4 as the safe default; it plays on every browser and device. Add a WebM source alongside it to save bandwidth on browsers that support it. For a single universal file, MP4 is the choice.
For video on a web page these two formats compete directly. MP4 (usually H.264) plays essentially everywhere; WebM is the open, royalty-free format Google built for the web, often smaller at the same quality.
The pragmatic answer for a website is to offer both and let the browser pick, but if you must choose one, compatibility usually wins.
.mp4 vs .webm at a glance
| .mp4 | .webm | |
|---|---|---|
| Browser support | Universal | All modern browsers, not old ones |
| Licensing | Patent-encumbered (H.264) | Open, royalty-free |
| File size | Larger | Smaller at same quality (VP9/AV1) |
| Apple devices | Native | Recent Safari only |
| Streaming | Yes (HLS) | Yes (DASH) |
| Best for | Maximum compatibility | Bandwidth savings on the web |
Frequently asked questions
Should I use MP4 or WebM on my website?
Offer both with a <video> element listing each source; the browser picks the first it supports. If you can only ship one, choose MP4 for the widest compatibility.
Why is WebM smaller than MP4?
WebM uses newer codecs (VP9, AV1) that compress more efficiently than the H.264 commonly found in MP4, so the same quality takes fewer bytes.