WAV vs. MP4 — What's the Difference?

WAV, short for Waveform Audio File Format, is a standard file format for storing audio on PCs. Developed by Microsoft and IBM, WAV files are uncompressed, which means they retain all the audio quality of the source but can be quite large in size. MP4, on the other hand, stands for MPEG-4 Part 14, and it's a digital multimedia container format. It's most commonly used to store video and audio, but can also store other data such as subtitles and still images. MP4 files use compression, making them more suitable for online sharing due to their smaller size compared to WAV.

Another significant distinction between WAV and MP4 is their use cases. WAV files are often preferred in professional audio recording and editing because of their lossless quality. The pure, uncompressed audio ensures maximum fidelity. MP4, meanwhile, is more versatile. Because MP4 can contain both audio and video, it's the format of choice for many digital platforms, streaming services, and personal media storage.

Compatibility is another aspect where WAV and MP4 differ. WAV files are universally accepted and can be played on nearly any device or operating system without any issues. MP4s, while also widely compatible, are more associated with video playback, and some older audio-only devices might not support them.

Lastly, the flexibility of MP4 means it can use various codecs for compression, allowing for different levels of quality and file size. WAV, being an uncompressed format, doesn’t offer this variability. It's always in its highest quality, which also means its file size is consistently large.