WebM and MP4 are two widely used video formats for streaming, sharing, and online playback. MP4 is generally considered superior in terms of quality and compatibility. This article will demonstrate how to convert WebM to MP4 using MiniTool Video Converter.
When downloading a video from the Internet, WebM and MP4 are two of the most common video formats. Next, I will provide a detailed comparison between WebM and MP4.
What Is WebM?
WebM is an audiovisual media file format that was first introduced by Google in 2010. It is 100% royalty-free. Its file structure is based on the Matroska container, so it can support great video quality. WebM is designed for the web (one of the video standards supported in HTML5).
The video streams of this file format are compressed using VP8 or VP9 video codecs. Besides, the WebM file also contains audio streams compressed with Opus or Vorbis audio codes and WebVIT text tracks.
Nowadays, almost all HTML5 web browsers, for example, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera support the WebM format. Besides, you can upload the WebM videos to YouTube, which is very important for many users running a YouTube channel. Also, Skype and ooVoo are compatible with this video format.
What Is MP4?
MP4, also called MPEG-4 Part 14, is a multimedia container format following the ISO/IEC standard, used to store videos and audios. Also, it can be used to store other data, such as subtitles and images. The official filename extension for MP4 files is .mp4. It is not open source.
It supports multiple video coding formats, including ALC, H.264, and HEVC/H.265. As others have said, MP4 is a near-ubiquitous file format since it can be used on any devices, including platforms, browsers, mobiles, etc. And you can stream MP4 over the Internet.
WebM VS MP4: What’s the Difference?
What is the difference between WebM and MP4? After knowing the following comparison, you should know it. Let’s see some aspects.
| Specification | WebM | MP4 |
| Video Quality | Good quality | High quality |
| Size | Smaller | larger |
| Compatibility | Best for modern browsers and web platforms | Wider compatibility across devices, apps, and media players |
| Video Codecs Supported | VP8 or VP9 | H.265/HEVC, H.264, AVC |
| Media Player and Browsers Supported | Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer | All media players and browsers |
MP4 VS WebM: Quality
MP4 generally provides better video quality and broader codec support than WebM.
The quality of WebM and MP4 is determined by the codecs. In general, the output of MP4 is high-quality. Of course, WebM can also offer high quality. But comparing MP4, it is a bit inferior.
Here we take two codecs – VP8 and H.264 as an example. Both VP8 and H.264 videos offer approximately the same quality at the same bitrate. But in recent years, H.264 has come out on top among the codecs.
WebM VS MP4: Size
WebM usually offers smaller file sizes than MP4, making it suitable for web streaming and fast online delivery. WebM is designed for Internet video and uses efficient compression technologies to reduce bandwidth usage and loading times.
MP4 files can also be compressed efficiently, but they are often larger at similar quality levels depending on the codec and encoding settings used.
WebM VS MP4: Compatibility
MP4 is more compatible than WebM across devices, operating systems, browsers, media players, and editing software. MP4 videos can be played on almost all computers, smartphones, tablets, browsers, and media platforms.
WebM is mainly optimized for web use and is widely supported by modern browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. However, support for WebM is still more limited on some devices, applications, and editing tools compared with MP4.
WebM VS MP4: Which Is Better? Which to Use?
MP4 is generally the better choice for most users because of its wider compatibility, better device support, and high video quality. WebM usually offers smaller file sizes and is optimized for web streaming and online video delivery.
Which one to use depends on what you are doing with these two formats. If you focus on video quality and want to download a video that can be used on any device, MP4 is a good choice. If you need to upload or share a video online, use WebM. If you still cannot figure out the suitable format between WebM and MP4, just always use MP4.
How to Convert WebM to MP4 or Vice Versa
MiniTool Video Converter is a professional audio and video converter, and it is 100% free, with no bundles and no ads. It can be used to convert WebM to MP4 and vice versa.
Here’s a fast track on how to convert WebM to MP4 with MiniTool Video Converter:
- Install MiniTool Video Converter.
- Import the WebM video.
- Set output format as MP4.
- Choose the save location.
- Start the conversion.
- Locate the converted video.
Step 1. Download and Install MiniTool Video Converter
Get MiniTool Video Converter installed, then launch it on the computer.
MiniTool Video ConverterClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 2. Import the WebM File
Click the Add Files option to upload the WebM file.
Step 3. Choose MP4 as the Output Format
Click the gear icon, go to the Video tab, select MP4, and pick the video quality (e.g., HD 1080P).
Step 4. Set Output Location
Open the Output menu and pick a save location for the converted file.
Step 5. Begin the Conversion
Click the Convert All option to start the conversion process.
Step 6. Check the Converted Results
After conversion, go to the Completed tab. Preview with the play icon, locate with the folder icon, or compress via the more icon.
To convert MP4 to WebM, simply try the similar steps above.
MiniTool Video Converter also supports formats including AVI, ASF, FLV, F4V, DV, DIVX, MP4, MOV, MKV, WMV, M4V, MPG, M2TS, OGV, 3GP, MXF, XVID, MPEG, VOB, WEBM, TS, etc. Also use this free file converter to convert other media/audio files! By the way, it also supports batch video conversion to save a lot of time.
Bottom Line
This article compares WebM vs MP4. Both of them are popular video formats, but they serve different purposes. WebM is suitable for web streaming and smaller file sizes, while MP4 offers better compatibility and broader device support. With MiniTool Video Converter, converting WebM to MP4 or MP4 to WebM is simple and efficient.
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