Compare Video Formats
Explore all the video formats supported by OfflineConvert and learn about their differences.
OfflineConvert lets you convert between all major video file types directly in your browser. Whether you need web streaming, mobile compatibility, or professional archiving, this comparison chart helps you choose the right format for your specific use case.
Understanding the differences between formats like MP4, WebM, AVI, and MKV can help you optimize your videos for web performance, device compatibility, or storage efficiency while maintaining the visual quality you need.
Format Comparison
| Format | Compression | Browser Support | Streaming | Audio Support | File Size | Notes | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MP4 | Excellent | Universal | ✓ | ✓ | Small (e.g., 50MB - 150MB) | Most widely supported video format. Excellent for web and mobile playback. | Convert MP4 |
WebM | Superior | Modern | ✓ | ✓ | Very Small (e.g., 40MB - 120MB) | Open-source format with excellent compression. Ideal for web streaming. | Convert WebM |
AVI | Poor | Limited | ✗ | ✓ | Large (e.g., 200MB - 500MB) | Legacy format with wide software compatibility. Not recommended for web use. | Convert AVI |
MOV | Excellent | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | Small (e.g., 50MB - 150MB) | Apple's QuickTime format. Excellent quality but limited cross-platform support. | Convert MOV |
MKV | Excellent | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | Small (e.g., 45MB - 140MB) | Open-source container with maximum flexibility. Popular for high-quality video storage. | Convert MKV |
M4V | Excellent | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | Small (e.g., 50MB - 150MB) | Apple's iTunes video format. Similar to MP4 but with DRM and iTunes-specific metadata. | Convert M4V |
FLV | Poor | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | Large (e.g., 150MB - 300MB) | Flash Video legacy container. Kept for compatibility with older videos; not recommended for new content. | Convert FLV |
Recommended Formats for Use Cases
Best for Web Streaming
Optimal for online video playback and streaming
Best for Social Media
Perfect for sharing on platforms and mobile devices
Best for Professional Editing
High-quality formats with advanced features
Best for Archive Storage
Maximum quality preservation and feature support
Ready to Convert Your Videos?
Choose from any of the formats above and start converting your videos instantly. No uploads required - everything happens locally in your browser.
Start ConvertingFrequently Asked Questions
For modern websites, use MP4 with H.264 codec for maximum compatibility, or WebM with VP9 for better compression. Always provide MP4 as a fallback for older browsers.
MP4 has universal browser support and excellent compression with H.264/H.265. WebM offers superior compression with VP9/AV1 codecs but has limited support in Safari. MP4 is safer for broad compatibility.
Streaming-optimized formats like MP4 and WebM support progressive download, allowing playback to start before the entire file downloads. They also have better codec support for adaptive bitrate streaming.
Check the "Browser Support" column in our comparison table above. Universal formats work everywhere, Modern formats work in recent browsers, and Limited formats have specific requirements.
MKV (Matroska) is ideal for archiving as it supports lossless codecs, multiple video/audio tracks, subtitles, and chapters. MOV is also excellent for professional archiving with ProRes codec support.
It depends on your needs. Convert to WebM for better web compression, but keep MP4 originals for compatibility. For archival purposes, consider MKV. Don't convert if you're satisfied with current quality and compatibility.
Yes! Our converter supports all the formats listed above. You can convert from any format to any other, and even extract audio tracks. Check the "Convert" links in the table for quick access.
MP4: H.264 for compatibility, H.265 for better compression. WebM: VP9 for good balance, AV1 for best compression. MKV: H.264/H.265 for compatibility, or lossless codecs for archiving. Check our format details for specific recommendations.
MP4 with H.264 codec is universally supported on mobile devices and offers good compression. Avoid AVI and FLV on mobile. WebM works well on Android but has limited iOS support.
For short loops and simple animations, animated WebP or GIF work well. For longer content, complex motion, or when you need audio, video formats like MP4 provide much better compression and quality.