VP8 is a video compression format used for encoding and decoding high-definition video in files or streams. The codec is part of the open-source WebM project sponsored by Google. It is contained in the WebM open source project sponsored by Google along with VP9. Unlike its counterpart H.264 codec, VP8 codec is free. This is due to Google having released all of the patents it owns under a royalty-free public license. H.264, however, contains patented technology and requires licenses from patent holders and limited royalties for hardware.

VP8 is currently the default video codec used in WebRTC. Around 90% or more of all WebRTC video sessions use VP8. This makes it an essential part of most browser-based video applications.