WEBM Format - ShareX Screenshot Output

WebM Format in ShareX

WebM is an open, royalty-free video format designed for the web. It uses VP8/VP9 video codec and Vorbis/Opus audio, providing excellent compression for online content.

Why Use WebM

• Open format — No patent licensing fees, fully open standard
• Excellent web performance — Designed specifically for web streaming
• Smaller than MP4 — VP9 codec often produces files 20-30% smaller than H.264
• HTML5 native — Plays directly in browsers without plugins
• Transparency support — WebM can include alpha channel for transparent video

ShareX WebM Settings

Configure in Task Settings → Screen Recorder:

• Video codec — VP8 (faster) or VP9 (better compression)
• Audio codec — Vorbis or Opus (Opus recommended for better quality)
• Quality — CRF value; lower = better quality
• Bitrate — Manual bitrate control option

WebM vs MP4

Feature	MP4	WebM
Codec	H.264	VP8/VP9
File size	Good	Better
Compatibility	Universal	Web-focused
Licensing	Patent-encumbered	Royalty-free
Transparency	No	Yes

Best Use Cases

• Web embedding — Directly embed video on your website
• Sharing via browser — When the audience will view in a browser
• Animated content — WebM animation as a GIF alternative (much smaller)
• Transparent video — When you need alpha channel in your recording