MP4 and WebM explained
MP4 is a container, not a codec. It usually holds H.264 video and AAC audio, and that specific combination is the closest thing the internet has to a universal video format.
WebM is an open, royalty-free container built for the web, holding VP8/VP9 or AV1 video with Vorbis or Opus audio. It exists specifically so browsers can ship video support without patent licensing.
- Where MP4 files come from
- Phone cameras, screen recorders, and every video streaming platform.
- Where WebM is used
- Web video, and exports from browser-based recording tools.