Video conversion
Convert WMV to WebM
WMV is a Windows video format that plays well on Windows but is awkward almost everywhere else, especially in web browsers. WebM is built for the web, so it plays directly in a browser's built-in video player with nothing extra installed. To convert, open the WMV in a converter and export it as WebM. Doing this on your own computer means the video never has to be uploaded anywhere first.
All 2,748 conversions verified on macOS, Windows, and Linux against the shipping release, this one included. Every conversion runs entirely on your own computer.
- Extension
- .wmv
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- Windows video
- Compression
- Lossy
- Extension
- .webm
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- Web video
- Compression
- Lossy
Convert WMV to WebM on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
One-time purchase, no subscription. 14 days to change your mind.
How to convert WMV to WebM
- Open Morphjet and drag in the WMV file, or a whole folder of them.
- Choose WebM as the output format.
- Convert. The WebM file is written next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
WMV vs WebM: what actually changes
| WMV | WebM | |
|---|---|---|
| Plays natively on Windows | Yes, out of the box | Not always, depends on the version |
| Plays in web browsers | No, usually needs a plugin or conversion first | Yes, directly, nothing extra needed |
| File size | Larger for the same visible quality | Smaller, built for streaming and web delivery |
| Quality | Lossy, older compression | Lossy, but more efficient modern compression |
| Editing software support | Common in older Windows-era editors | Widely supported by current editors and web tools |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert WMV to WebM when you want to embed a video on a website, share it somewhere that expects web-friendly formats, or just get a smaller file that still plays smoothly in a browser.
Keep the WMV original if you're only ever going to open it on the same Windows PC, since there's no reason to convert a file you're not going to share or embed anywhere.
Why not just use an online converter?
Most free WMV to WebM converters work by uploading your video to their server, converting it there, and sending it back, which means your video sits on a stranger's machine, even if only briefly. Morphjet converts the file where it already lives, on your own computer, so the video never gets sent anywhere. That matters more than people expect for home videos, screen recordings, or anything you'd rather not hand to a server you don't control.
Questions
Does converting WMV to WebM lose quality?
Both formats are lossy, so re-encoding from one to the other involves some recompression. For normal viewing, on a website or in a browser, the difference is not noticeable, but it isn't a lossless, bit-for-bit copy.
Why won't my WMV file play in a browser?
WMV was built for Windows, not the web, so most browsers don't support it directly. WebM was designed specifically to work with a browser's built-in video player, which is why converting fixes the problem.
Is WebM a good replacement for WMV in general?
For web and cross-platform use, yes. WebM tends to produce smaller files and plays in more places without extra software. If you only ever open the file on one Windows PC, there's less benefit.
Can I convert WMV to WebM without uploading it anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file locally on your computer, so it never has to travel over the internet to get converted.
Morphjet runs this conversion and 2,747 others, all on your machine. Available now.
One-time purchase, no subscription. 14 days to change your mind.