HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language, which was created by Berners-Lee in 1991. It is a language widely used in developing websites. With years passing, newer versions of this language were introduced and later in January 2008, HTML5 was launched being the most advanced version of this language till this date. But what new did HTML5 bring on board? In this blog, we will discuss every difference between HTML and HTML5. But before that let us get a brief understanding of both these languages.
What is HTML?
As discussed above, HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Link, a language used to design webpages. Using tag codes, it displays text, images, links, and video-like content in a better form on a web browser. HTML is an essential element used for a website’s overall layout and structure, but it is not responsible for the functionality and design. These two parts are taken care of by CSS and JavaScript, all in all, HTML is the foundation language for web development.
What is HTML5?
HTML5 is the most recent version of HTML which comes with ample improvements compared to predecessors, especially in web functionality and overall usability. To make it easier for the developers to structure the content it came up with new semantic elements. HTML5 also supports multimedia-related content, which enables the developers to embed the audio and video seamlessly with their tags ( <audio> and <video> ).
It includes enhanced form controls for better user input, such as date pickers and sliders. It offers powerful APIs like the Geolocation API and Web Storage for creating more interactive and dynamic web applications. These advancements make HTML5 the foundation for modern, responsive, and rich web experiences.
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Major Versions of HTML
With each HTML version, new features get introduced that enhance its performance in the process of web development:
HTML (1991)
The very first version of HTML brought into existence by Tim Berners-Lee had limited tags and was created to share academic and scientific documents online.
HTML 2.0 (1995)
This version changed the already existing practices of early web developers and brought new structures and elements to form web documents.
HTML 3.2 (1997)
HTML 3.2 was released in the year 1997 by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It came with the support for tables, applets, and texts around images eventually taking HTML one step ahead and making it a tool for designing web pages.
HTML 4.01 (1999)
Focusing on the use of CSS and its contribution to styling, HTML 4.01 separated the concepts of presentation and content. Plus it also enabled the developers to create complex web applications with the more enhanced forms of scripting languages.
XHTML 1.0 (2000)
XHTML 1.0 is a revised form of HTML 4.01 but in XML which came with more strict syntax rules. XHTML 1.0 focused on a more precise document structure to ensure better fusion with future web standards.
HTML5 (2014)
Finally, in 2014 HTML5 came as a revolution in the web development world. It just didn’t ensure easily readable content for humans in the form of modern multimedia but also for the latest devices. For improved interactivity and web applications, HTML5 brought new semantic elements, and embedded video plus audio with no plugins.
HTML5.1 (2016)
HTML5.1 was an improved version of its predecessor with the feedback and suggestions given by the developers who operated it in real life. Bug fixes and performance improvements were the two major highlights of this HTML version.
HTML5.2 (2017)
HTML5.2 brought several updates to enhance the HTML5 specification, including new features, refinements, and the removal of outdated elements. Its primary goal was to improve the language’s functionality, usability, and compatibility across different platforms.
HTML Living Standard
After HTML5.2, the W3C and WHATWG chose to follow a “living standard” approach. This means HTML is constantly updated with new features and improvements instead of being released in separate versions. The HTML Living Standard is regularly updated to keep up with the changes and growth of the web.
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Key Difference Between HTML and HTML5
Check out the following table to understand the complete difference between HTML and HTML5:
| Feature | HTML | HTML5 |
| Version | HTML is the earlier version of HTML, introduced in 1991. | HTML5 is the latest version, introduced in 2014. |
| Audio and Video Support | No native support for audio and video. | Supports <audio> and <video> elements for embedding media directly. |
| Semantic Elements | Limited semantic elements (e.g., <div>, <span>). | Introduces new semantic tags like <article>, <section>, <nav>, <header>, <footer>, etc. |
| Forms | Limited input types and attributes. | New form input types like email, date, tel, url, etc., and attributes like placeholder, autofocus, required, etc. |
| Canvas | No support for drawing graphics. | Introduces <canvas> element for drawing graphics and animations via JavaScript. |
| Local Storage | No support for local storage. | Introduces Web Storage (localStorage and sessionStorage) for storing data on the client side. |
| Geolocation API | No geolocation capabilities. | Provides the Geolocation API to track the user’s location. |
| Offline Support | No native offline capabilities. | HTML5 includes Service Workers for offline web apps (AppCache is deprecated). |
| Error Handling | Relies on JavaScript for error handling in forms. | Better form validation and error handling through built-in browser support (e.g., required and pattern attributes). |
| Microdata | No support for embedding structured data. | Introduces <microdata> to embed structured data, but JSON-LD is now the preferred method for SEO and structured data. |
| JavaScript APIs | Basic JavaScript APIs. | HTML5 introduces several new APIs, including Web Workers, WebSockets, and WebRTC. |
Performance and Speed: HTML vs HTML5
HTML and HTML5 do vary in performance and speed in different scenarios. The following table explains the difference between the two in the most perfect way:
| Factor | HTML (Before HTML5) | HTML5 |
| Multimedia Support | Relies on plugins (Flash, QuickTime) for audio/video, slowing down performance. | Native support for <audio> and <video> elements, reducing load time and improving performance. |
| JavaScript and API Support | Heavy reliance on JavaScript for interactive features, could cause performance issues. | New APIs like <canvas>, Web Workers, WebSockets, and Web Storage for faster and more efficient client-side processing. |
| Rendering Speed & Load Time | Additional HTTP requests for multimedia are less optimized for modern hardware, and slow page rendering. | Optimized rendering with reduced HTTP requests, async script loading, and resource preloading. Faster page load time. |
| Mobile & Touch Performance | Not optimized for mobile or touch interfaces. Requires third-party libraries for responsiveness. | Built for mobile-first design, supports touch events, and eliminates the need for plugins like Flash. |
| Offline Capabilities | No native offline support; relied on workarounds and custom solutions. | HTML5 provides offline capabilities through Web Storage and Service Workers, improving performance when offline. |
| Memory and Resource Management | Less efficient memory management leads to potential memory leaks. | Improved memory management and background processing with Web Workers. |
| Compatibility & Browser Support | Older browsers lacked support for modern features, leading to inconsistent performance. | HTML5 is widely supported by modern browsers, ensuring consistent performance across platforms. |
Browser Support: Which is Better – HTML or HTML5?
Let us understand the key differences between HTML and HTML5 based on browser support and find out which is better:
Browser Support
HTML- Older browsers (e.g., IE6, IE7, early Firefox) struggle with HTML4 standards. Newer browsers are limited in supporting complex features.
HTML5- HTML5 is widely supported by all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera). However, legacy browsers (especially older versions of Internet Explorer) may face issues with certain features.
Legacy Browser Support
HTML- Full support for older browsers, but with limitations in features and functionality (e.g., no native support for audio/video).
HTML5- Older browsers (like IE 8 and below) do not fully support HTML5 features (e.g., <audio>, <video>, Web Storage, etc.). However, browsers like IE 9 and later have partial to full support.
Mobile Browser Support
HTML- Limited mobile browser support (especially pre-smartphone era). Mobile-friendly web pages require extensive workarounds.
HTML5- HTML5 is optimized for mobile devices, with native support for touch events, responsive design, and features like <audio>, <video>, and <canvas>. All modern mobile browsers (iOS Safari, Android Chrome, Firefox) support HTML5.
Features (e.g., Media, Canvas, APIs)
HTML- Features like <audio>, <video>, <canvas>, and Web APIs were either absent or required external plugins.
HTML5- Full support for HTML5 features such as <audio>, <video>, <canvas>, localStorage, sessionStorage, Geolocation API, Web Workers, etc., in modern browsers.
Polyfills & Workarounds
HTML- Polyfills or workarounds (like Flash, and Java Applets) were required to implement features that HTML5 handles natively.
HTML5- HTML5 can often be used without extensive polyfills or workarounds, but some features (e.g., <audio>, <video>, Web Storage) may require fallback strategies for older browsers.
Deprecation of Older Features
HTML- Older HTML versions (e.g., HTML 4.01) used deprecated features like <font>, <center>, and <bgsound>, which were not optimized.
HTML5- HTML5 removes many deprecated tags and attributes (e.g., <font>, <center>, <marquee>) and introduces better alternatives for structure, multimedia, and interactivity.
Progressive Enhancement
HTML- Developers needed to rely on complex workarounds for supporting features across browsers.
HTML5- HTML5 encourages progressive enhancement, allowing developers to design websites that function in both modern browsers (with full HTML5 support) and older ones (with fallbacks).
Security
HTML- Security vulnerabilities existed in older HTML features and external plugins.
HTML5- HTML5 improves security, especially with features like Content Security Policy (CSP), preventing XSS attacks. Browser-native features (e.g., <audio>, <video>) remove reliance on insecure plugins.
HTML5 vs HTML: Which One is More SEO-Friendly?
Find out which is more SEO friendly between HTML5 and HTML based on the top 7 factors:
| Factor | HTML (Older Versions) | HTML5 |
| Semantic Structure | Uses generic tags like <div>, <span> | New tags (<article>, <section>, etc.) improve content clarity. |
| Mobile Optimization | Requires extra work for mobile support | Built-in mobile-first design for better responsiveness. |
| Media Support | Relies on plugins (Flash) | Native support for <audio>, <video>, and <picture>. |
| Page Load Speed | Can be slower due to plugins | Faster with native features and reduced plugins. |
| Accessibility | Limited support | Improved with semantic elements and ARIA roles. |
| Structured Data | No direct support | Supports Microdata, RDFa, and JSON-LD for rich snippets. |
| Interactive Features | Lacked native support | Includes <canvas>, Web Storage, and WebSockets for better interactivity. |
HTML vs HTML5 (Elements)
Here is the comparison between HTML and HTML5 elements:
| Element | HTML (Older Versions) | HTML5 |
| Doctype | <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC “-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN” “http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd”> | <!DOCTYPE html> (simplified declaration) |
| Audio | Not supported | <audio> for embedding audio content |
| Video | Not supported | <video> for embedding video content |
| Canvas | Not supported | <canvas> for drawing graphics and animations |
| SVG | Limited support | <svg> for scalable vector graphics |
| Form Input Types | Limited to basic types (e.g., text, password) | New input types like email, date, url, tel, number, etc. |
| Semantic Elements | Lacked semantic tags (relying on <div>, <span>) | New tags like <article>, <section>, <nav>, <header>, <footer>, <main>, etc. |
| Geolocation | Not supported | Geolocation API for retrieving user location |
| Offline Storage | Not supported | Local Storage and Session Storage for offline data |
| Microdata | Not supported | <microdata> for embedding structured data |
| Web Workers | Not supported | Web Workers for running scripts in the background without affecting the UI |
| WebSockets | Not supported | WebSockets for establishing real-time communication (bi-directional) |
| Forms Validation | Basic form validation with JavaScript | Built-in form validation (e.g., required, pattern, min, max, type) |
| Drag and Drop | Not natively supported (relied on JavaScript) | Native drag-and-drop support for UI elements |
Should You Switch to HTML5? Pros and Cons
Sure HTML5 is the most advanced version, but there are some considerations that you should look forward to when switching to it. Here are the pros and cons of HTML5, with which you can conclude choosing HTML5 or not:
Pros:
Multimedia Support
HTML5 provides native <audio> and <video> elements, which eliminates the need for plugins like Flash.
Short and simple syntax
It makes the doctype declaration easier to understand and reduces the need for excessive codes.
Improved security features
HTML5 also enhances security features like sandboxing for iframes in addition to better content security policies that protect against cross-site scripting.
Include semantic tags
The current version of HTML came with new semantic tags including <article>, <section>, and <header> to enhance the document structure and SEO.
Cross-platform support
Being a very advanced version of HTML, it works across different platforms and devices without the need for any plugins.
Cons:
Client-side rendering
HTML5 relies on client-side rendering which increases the loading time and uses more processing power of the user’s device.
Local storage is less secure
Because HTML5’s local storage is not encrypted it becomes risky to store important data in it.
Different video supports for different browsers
HTML5 video formats like WebM, Ogg, and MP4 might not be supported by every browser, and they may require regular fallback solutions.
Media licensing cost
Video formats like H.264 have costly license fees if one plans to use them in commercial applications.
It doesn’t support old browsers
The features of this HTML version don’t support old browsers like Internet Explorer and its versions, which leads to compatibility issues.
Tough to handle responsiveness on the range of devices
HTML5 doesn’t fix all responsiveness issues independently, so extra CSS and JavaScript are needed to ensure websites look good on different devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. HTML doesn’t provide native audio and video support, on the other hand, HTML5 does provide support for both.
Ans. Yes, HTML5 works on every browser of the present date, including, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, IE9, and Opera. Moreover, with the introduction of DOCTYPE, some of the HTML features can also run in the older version of Internet Explorer.
Ans. HTML5 is the latest version of HTML, and it supports the latest markup language elements such as multimedia, new tags, and new APIs.
Ans. HTML5 creates a clear website structure that enhances accessibility for screen readers and enables better content organization. It helps SEO understand and improves the ranking of your pages.
Ans. HTML5 is considered the best version of HTML for mobile web development because it was specifically designed for mobile devices to ensure better compatibility, support for touchscreens, and more.
Ans. Rendering is handled on the client side, local storage has security vulnerabilities, video format compatibility varies across browsers, costs associated with media licensing, incompatibility with older browsers, and challenges in ensuring responsiveness across diverse devices are some of the disadvantages of HTML5
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