April 5, 2024
6 min read
SSDown Tech Team
MP4 vs WebM: The Ultimate Battle of Video Formats (And Which One You Should Download)
#tech#formats#mp4#webm#comparison#guide
The "Invalid File Format" Nightmare
You downloaded a 4K video, sent it to a friend, and they say: "It won't play." The culprit is the Video Format. The two giants are MP4 and WebM.
1. MP4 (H.264) - The King of Compatibility
If video formats were cars, MP4 is a Toyota. It works everywhere.
- Pros: Universal compatibility (iPhone, Android, TV, Windows). Edit-friendly.
- Cons: Slightly larger file size.
Who should pick MP4? iPhone users (iOS hates non-standards), video editors, and regular users who just want it to work.
2. WebM (VP9/AV1) - The Google Challenger
WebM is designed for the web by Google. YouTube uses it for 4K/8K.
- Pros: 30-50% smaller size for same quality.
- Cons: The Apple Problem. Older iPhones and Macs cannot play WebM natively. You get a black screen.
Who should pick WebM? Android users, data savers, and archivists wanting raw 4K YouTube streams.
The Container vs. Codec Myth
".mp4" is just a box (Container). What matters feels is the Codec (H.264 vs VP9) inside.
- SSDown's Default: We prioritize MP4 for compatibility. But if the source is 4K WebM only, we provide that to preserve quality.
Conclusion
- Click MP4: If you share on Instagram or use an iPhone.
- Click WebM: If you are on Android or want the absolute smallest file size.