WebM and MP3 explained
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.
MP3 is the lossy audio format that made digital music portable. Its patents expired in 2017, which is part of why it remains ubiquitous — anyone can implement it freely.
- Where WebM files come from
- Web video, and exports from browser-based recording tools.
- Where MP3 is used
- Music libraries, podcasts and voice recordings.