# WebM or MP4: which you get and why

> The difference between the two formats browsers produce, and which one you want.

Source: https://www.screen-recording-software.com/guides/webm-vs-mp4
Category: Files

Browsers do not all record to the same format, and you do not get to choose. Which you get depends entirely on the browser.

## What each browser produces

Anything built on Chromium hands you a WebM file, as does Firefox — VP9 or VP8 pictures paired with Opus sound. Safari breaks from that and writes MP4 instead, carrying H.264 video and AAC audio.

## WebM

Smaller files at the same quality, royalty-free, and plays in every modern browser. Some desktop players and older editing software refuse it.

## MP4

Larger for the same quality, but plays in essentially everything: phones, TVs, editors, messaging apps.

## Which to want

For sharing a link or uploading to a video platform, WebM is fine and smaller. For sending to someone who will open it in whatever their computer defaults to, convert to MP4 first.