Understanding Video Formats
Choosing the right video format depends on your use case: streaming, editing, archiving, or sharing. This guide breaks down the pros and cons of each major format.
Quick Comparison Table
| Format | Best For | Compatibility | Quality | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP4 | Universal use | Excellent | High | Medium |
| WebM | Web streaming | Good | High | Small |
| MKV | Archiving | Limited | Highest | Large |
| AVI | Legacy systems | Good | Varies | Large |
| MOV | Apple ecosystem | Apple only | High | Large |
MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14)
The Universal Standard
MP4 is the most widely supported video format. It works on virtually every device, browser, and platform.
Advantages
- Universal compatibility
- Good compression efficiency
- Supports multiple audio tracks
- Ideal for streaming
Disadvantages
- Not as efficient as newer codecs
- Limited subtitle support compared to MKV
Best For
- Social media uploads
- General sharing
- Mobile devices
- Streaming platforms
WebM
The Web-Native Format
Developed by Google, WebM is optimized for web delivery with excellent compression.
Advantages
- Smaller file sizes
- Open-source and royalty-free
- Great for web streaming
- Supported by all major browsers
Disadvantages
- Limited device support
- Fewer editing software options
- Not ideal for offline use
Best For
- Website video embeds
- YouTube uploads
- Progressive web apps
MKV (Matroska)
The Feature-Rich Container
MKV is a flexible container that supports virtually any codec and multiple tracks.
Advantages
- Supports any codec
- Multiple audio/subtitle tracks
- Chapter markers
- No quality loss
Disadvantages
- Limited device support
- Larger file sizes
- Not ideal for streaming
Best For
- Movie archiving
- Multi-language content
- High-quality storage
Format Selection Guide
For Social Media
Use MP4 with H.264 codec at 1080p. Most platforms accept this natively without re-encoding.
For Websites
Use WebM with VP9 codec for smaller files and faster loading. Provide MP4 fallback.
For Archiving
Use MKV with the original codec to preserve maximum quality and metadata.
For Editing
Use ProRes (MOV) or DNxHD for professional workflows. These formats maintain quality through multiple edits.
Codec Considerations
The format is just the container. The codec inside determines actual quality and file size:
| Codec | Efficiency | Quality | CPU Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.264 | Good | Excellent | Low |
| H.265/HEVC | Better | Excellent | Medium |
| VP9 | Better | Excellent | Medium |
| AV1 | Best | Excellent | High |
Conclusion
For most users, MP4 with H.264 remains the safest choice. For web-specific use cases, WebM with VP9 offers better efficiency. Power users archiving media should consider MKV for its flexibility.
Use our converter to easily switch between formats while maintaining the best possible quality.
