Difference Between HTML4 and HTML5 – Everything You Need to Know

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Web development has changed dramatically over the years. With more users accessing websites through mobile phones and web apps becoming more interactive, the need for a better HTML version became urgent. HTML5 came as a powerful answer to all the limitations of HTML4.

In this blog, we’ll explore the complete difference between HTML4 and HTML5 and help you decide which one is best for your website.

What is HTML4?

HTML4 is a markup language released in 1997. It was widely used for building basic websites. It allowed developers to create structured documents with headings, paragraphs, tables, and images.

However, HTML4 had several limitations. It did not support video or audio playback. You had to use Flash or third-party tools to show multimedia. Also, HTML4 had no idea about responsive design or mobile optimization.

What is HTML5?

HTML5 is the fifth version of HTML, designed for modern web applications. It brought new tags, better functionality, and support for multimedia and mobile devices.

With HTML5, you can add videos and audio using the <video> and <audio> tags. It supports local storage, geolocation, and semantic tags like <section>, <header>, and <article> that improve your site’s structure and search engine optimization.

HTML5 is cleaner, faster, and more secure than HTML4. It simplifies the doctype declaration and enhances error handling.

Key Differences Between HTML4 and HTML5

  • HTML5 supports audio and video without plugins. HTML4 needs Flash or external players.
  • HTML5 has semantic tags like header, footer, nav, and article. HTML4 uses only divs and spans.
  • HTML5 is mobile-friendly and responsive. HTML4 was never designed for mobile devices.
  • HTML5 supports localStorage and sessionStorage for offline access. HTML4 does not.
  • HTML5 has better form input types like date, email, and number, making forms more user-friendly.

Why HTML5 is Better for Modern Websites

The modern internet is fast, dynamic, and mobile-first. HTML5 helps developers create faster-loading, interactive, and responsive websites. It reduces reliance on external plugins and improves the overall user experience.

HTML5 also helps with SEO because search engines understand semantic tags better. It makes your content more structured and easier to index.

Hosting HTML5 Websites with XenaxCloud

To get the best performance out of your HTML5 website, you need strong hosting support. XenaxCloud offers all hosting services from its India-based data center, ensuring low latency and high reliability.

Here’s how XenaxCloud can support your HTML5 website:

All plans come with expert support and 99.5% uptime guarantee.

How Indian Hosting Helps

Using servers located in India gives your website better loading speed for Indian users. It also ensures data compliance and better SEO results when targeting the Indian market.

XenaxCloud’s infrastructure is built for businesses, developers, and creators looking for performance and peace of mind.

FAQs

1. What is the main difference between HTML4 and HTML5?
HTML5 supports modern features like audio, video, and semantic tags, which HTML4 lacks.

2. Is HTML5 better for SEO?
Yes, semantic tags in HTML5 help search engines understand your content better, improving rankings.

3. Can I host an HTML5 site on Shared Hosting?
Yes, Shared Hosting is ideal for basic HTML5 websites.

4. Does HTML5 work better for mobile websites?
Absolutely. HTML5 is designed with mobile devices and responsive design in mind.

5. How do I start using HTML5 with XenaxCloud?
Pick a plan that suits your website’s needs: VPS, RDP, or Dedicated Hosting and launch your HTML5 website today.

Conclusion

The difference between HTML4 and HTML5 clearly shows how web development has evolved. HTML5 brings better speed, cleaner code, built-in multimedia support, and mobile responsiveness — all essential for modern websites.

To make the most of HTML5, you need fast and reliable hosting. XenaxCloud offers powerful India-based hosting solutions like Shared Hosting, VPS, and Dedicated Servers, perfect for developers, businesses, and creators looking to build with the latest technology.

Upgrade to HTML5 and host it confidently with XenaxCloud.