MP4 vs WMV
Which video format should you choose?
MP4 wins on universal device and browser support. WMV wins on strong compression for windows. For most general use, pick whichever is more compatible with your existing tools — file size and quality differences are usually small at the same encoding settings.
When to use MP4
Choose MP4 when you need streaming to youtube, vimeo and social media or playback on smartphones and smart tvs. Its strengths: universal device and browser support, and excellent compression-to-quality ratio.
Pros
- + Universal device and browser support
- + Excellent compression-to-quality ratio
- + Small file sizes
- + Supports subtitles and metadata
Cons
- − Lossy compression by default
- − Can require licensing for some codecs
When to use WMV
Choose WMV when you need windows media player playback or windows-based video sharing. Its strengths: strong compression for windows, and native on windows platforms.
Pros
- + Strong compression for Windows
- + Native on Windows platforms
- + Built-in DRM support
Cons
- − Poor support on macOS, iOS, Linux
- − Proprietary format
- − Falling out of favor for modern web
Side-by-side
| Aspect | MP4 | WMV |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | MPEG-4 Part 14 | Windows Media Video |
| Extension | .mp4 | .wmv |
| MIME type | video/mp4 | video/x-ms-wmv |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| File size | Small▲ | Medium |
| Compatibility | Universal▲ | Limited / legacy |
| Open source | No / partial | No / partial |
| Best for | Streaming to YouTube, Vimeo and social media | Windows Media Player playback |
▲ = generally favored on that aspect. Real-world results depend on encoder settings.
Convert between MP4 and WMV
MP4 vs WMV — Frequently Asked Questions
Is MP4 better than WMV?
Is MP4 better than WMV?
Neither is universally better — they serve different needs. MP4 is stronger for streaming to youtube, vimeo and social media, while WMV is stronger for windows media player playback. Pick based on what you're trying to do.
Can I convert MP4 to WMV?
Can I convert MP4 to WMV?
Yes — Zen Convert handles MP4 to WMV conversion for free, directly in your browser. It also handles the reverse (WMV to MP4). No signup, no watermark.
Will I lose quality converting between MP4 and WMV?
Will I lose quality converting between MP4 and WMV?
Both MP4 and WMV use lossy compression. Each conversion adds a small additional loss because the codec re-encodes the audio/video. For best quality, convert once and keep the result.
Which file is bigger : MP4 or WMV?
Which file is bigger : MP4 or WMV?
MP4 files are usually smaller than WMV files at the same quality. The difference depends on encoder settings, but the trend is consistent across most content.
Which one is better supported on phones?
Which one is better supported on phones?
MP4 has broader mobile support. Most phones (iPhone and Android) play it natively without extra apps.