MP4 vs WebM vs MOV: which video format should you use?
A plain-English guide to the three most common video formats — what the difference is, and which one to pick for the web, editing or Apple devices.
If you've ever been asked to "send it as an MP4" or wondered why a file won't play, you've run into the world of video formats. The good news: for almost everyone, the answer is simple. Here's what the three big formats actually are and when to use each.
Container vs codec — the thing everyone confuses
A video file has two parts. The container (MP4, WebM, MOV) is the wrapper that holds the video, audio and metadata together. The codec (H.264, VP9) is how the picture inside is compressed. Two files can both be "MP4" but use different codecs — which is why a file can have the right extension and still refuse to play.
MP4 — the safe default
MP4 with the H.264 codec plays on virtually every device, browser, editor and social platform ever made. If you're not sure what to use, use MP4. It's the format to choose for sharing, uploading and general compatibility.
WebM — smaller, made for the web
WebM with VP9 compresses smaller than MP4 at similar quality and is the native format of the modern web. It's a great pick for embedding video on a website or shrinking a file for the browser. The trade-off is weaker support in older software and some apps.
MOV — the Apple one
MOV is Apple's QuickTime container, the default from iPhones and Macs. It usually holds H.264 too, so it's high quality, but it's less universal than MP4 — converting a MOV to MP4 is the classic fix for "it won't play on Windows."
- Sharing or uploading anywhere → MP4
- Embedding on a website / smallest file → WebM
- Working in Apple apps → MOV, but convert to MP4 to send it on
Switching between them takes seconds with Convert Video — pick your target format and export, all in your browser with nothing uploaded.
Convert VideoChange format between MP4, WebM, MOV and MKV.