When you record your screen in a browser, the output is typically in WebM format. But most people are more familiar with MP4. So what’s the difference, and which should you use?

WebM: The Web-Native Format

WebM is an open video format developed by Google, designed specifically for the web.

Pros:

• Open-source and royalty-free
• Excellent compression (smaller files)
• Native browser recording format
• Great for web embedding
• Supports VP8, VP9, and AV1 codecs

Cons:

• Not universally supported by all video players
• Some social media platforms don’t accept WebM uploads
• Editing software support can be limited

MP4: The Universal Format

MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is the most widely supported video format in the world.

Pros:

• Plays everywhere — phones, TVs, computers, game consoles
• Accepted by every social media platform
• All video editors support it
• Hardware acceleration is universal
• Good compression with H.264/H.265

Cons:

• H.264/H.265 codecs have licensing fees (though this doesn’t affect end users)
• Slightly larger files compared to VP9/WebM at equivalent quality

Quick Comparison

Feature	WebM	MP4
File Size	⭐ Smaller	Larger
Browser Support	Chrome, Edge, Firefox	All browsers
Video Editors	Limited	Universal
Social Media	Limited	Universal
Quality	Excellent	Excellent
Streaming	Good	Great
Hardware Decode	Growing	Universal

When to Use WebM

• Storing personal recordings: If you’re keeping files for yourself
• Sharing with tech-savvy colleagues: They’ll know how to play WebM
• Embedding on websites: Browsers handle WebM natively
• Archiving: Smaller file sizes save storage space
• Quick recordings: No conversion step needed

When to Use MP4

• Sharing on social media: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn all expect MP4
• Client presentations: You can’t assume their player supports WebM
• Editing in video software: Premiere Pro, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve all prefer MP4
• Playing on TVs or phones: MP4 works on virtually every device
• Professional deliverables: MP4 is the industry standard

Converting WebM to MP4

If you need MP4, you can easily convert your WebM recording:

Online (Quick & Easy)

• CloudConvert (cloudconvert.com)
• Convertio (convertio.co)
• FreeConvert (freeconvert.com)

Desktop (Better Quality)

• VLC Media Player: Media → Convert/Save
• HandBrake: Open source, powerful encoder
• FFmpeg (command line):

ffmpeg -i recording.webm -c:v libx264 -c:a aac output.mp4

Why Not Record Directly in MP4?

Browsers use WebM because the VP8/VP9 codecs are open-source and royalty-free. The H.264 codec used in MP4 requires licenses. While some browsers can encode H.264, WebM provides the most reliable cross-browser recording experience.

Our Recommendation

Start with WebM (it’s what Easy Screen Capture produces natively). For most use cases — sharing with teammates, embedding in docs, personal reference — WebM works perfectly.

Only convert to MP4 when you need to:

• Upload to social media
• Send to someone who might not have a WebM-compatible player
• Import into professional video editing software

Record in WebM now →