Limelight
What Is Recording Format?
Recording format is the file container type in which a screen recording is saved — such as .mp4 or .mov — which determines compatibility, file size, and which video editing or playback tools can open the file.
A video container format wraps compressed video data (from the codec) along with metadata such as duration, resolution, and frame rate into a single file. The container and the codec are distinct: a .mp4 file can contain H.264 or HEVC video; a .mov file can contain the same codecs or ProRes. The container determines which players can open the file without conversion and how well the file streams in a browser. On macOS, the native recording format from QuickTime and the ⇧⌘5 toolbar is .mov with H.264 content — a format that plays everywhere Apple but is less universally supported in Windows browsers than .mp4.
For distribution on the web, .mp4 is the standard. The HTML5 video element supports .mp4 with H.264 natively across all major browsers on all platforms, making it the safest choice for embedding recordings in documentation, landing pages, and video hosting services. .mov files often need to be converted before uploading to non-Apple platforms. WebM is an open-format alternative with good browser support, primarily used when HEVC or VP9 compression efficiency is prioritized over maximum compatibility. For professional editing pipelines, ProRes wrapped in .mov is preferred because it is a lossless or near-lossless format that does not introduce generation loss when re-edited.
Limelight exports to .mp4 with H.264 encoding, matching the standard expected by video hosting platforms, Notion embeds, Slack uploads, and email attachments. It also supports 9:16 vertical export in .mp4 for social and messaging contexts where vertical video is the native format. Users receive a broadly compatible output file without needing to configure container or codec settings, making the recording immediately usable across the destinations where screen recordings are commonly shared.
Why Limelight
- ▸The container format (.mp4, .mov, .webm) wraps the encoded video and determines compatibility.
- ▸.mp4 with H.264 is the standard for web compatibility across all browsers and platforms.
- ▸.mov is native to macOS but may need conversion for non-Apple platforms.
- ▸Limelight exports to .mp4, including 9:16 vertical .mp4 for social and messaging.
Cursor spotlight free · from $2.99/mo or $34 lifetime · macOS 14+
Or get Pro — from $2.99/mo · See how it works →
free to start, then go Pro from $2.99/mo or a $34 one-time lifetime license. macOS 14+, notarized by Apple.
FAQ
- Should I use .mp4 or .mov for screen recordings?
- .mp4 for sharing, uploading, or embedding in web contexts. .mov for keeping files in an Apple-only editing pipeline or when you need QuickTime-specific metadata. If in doubt, use .mp4 — it plays everywhere.
- Why do some .mov recordings not play on Windows?
- Windows Media Player does not natively support .mov, and Chrome on Windows may require the HEVC extension for .mov files encoded with HEVC. Converting to .mp4 with H.264 before sharing with Windows users eliminates compatibility issues.
- Does Limelight produce .mov or .mp4 files?
- Limelight exports to .mp4, including both standard 16:9 and vertical 9:16 aspect ratios. The output is H.264-encoded and compatible with all major video platforms and browsers without conversion.