MP4, WebM, MOV or MKV: which video format to choose
A plain comparison of MP4, WebM, MOV and MKV, and which one to pick for phones, editing and sharing.
Our downloader offers four video formats: MP4, WebM, MOV and MKV. They're all containers, which means boxes that hold the video and sound. The picture quality is set by the source, so the format choice is about what will open the file.
The short answer
Pick MP4 unless you have a reason not to. It plays on iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, smart TVs, PowerPoint, Google Slides, and every editor and social app. That's why it's the default.
MP4
- Best for: almost everything.
- Plays in: every phone, every computer, every browser.
- Watch out for: nothing in particular. If Windows ever complains, see the HEVC guide.
MOV
- Best for: Apple apps like iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Keynote.
- Plays in: everything on Apple devices, and most players on Windows and Android.
- Watch out for: a few Windows apps and websites are less keen on MOV than MP4.
MKV
- Best for: VLC, Plex, Kodi and people who keep a home media library.
- Plays in: VLC everywhere, and many smart TVs.
- Watch out for: iPhone Photos won't accept it, and many editors and PowerPoint won't open it.
WebM
- Best for: putting a video on a web page.
- Plays in: Chrome, Firefox, Edge and newer Safari, plus VLC.
- Watch out for: limited support in phone galleries and editing apps.
Which one for what
| You want to | Pick |
|---|---|
| Watch on your phone or save to the camera roll | MP4 |
| Add to PowerPoint or Google Slides | MP4 |
| Edit in iMovie or Final Cut | MOV or MP4 |
| Edit in Premiere, DaVinci Resolve or CapCut | MP4 |
| Keep in a Plex or VLC library | MKV or MP4 |
| Embed on a website | WebM or MP4 |
What about quality?
We save up to 1080p Full HD, depending on what the source has. Changing the format won't make a video sharper. If yours looks soft, see why downloaded videos look blurry.
Choosing an audio format instead? See MP3 vs M4A vs WAV vs FLAC.
Quick answers
Which format is smallest?
The size depends mostly on the resolution and the codec inside, not the container. For the same video, MP4, MOV, MKV and WebM come out close in size.
Which format do TikTok and Instagram accept for uploads?
MP4 is the safe choice for uploading to any social app. MOV works too.
Can I change the format later?
Yes, with a converter like HandBrake. It's easier to paste the link again and pick the format you need.