In this paper, the Einstein–Maxwell spacetime is considered for compact stellar system. To find out solutions of the field equations, we adopt a finite and positive well-behaved metric potential. Under this particular choice, we therefore develop the expressions of the physical features, such as mass, charge, density and pressure, for stellar system in embedding class 1 spacetime. It is observed that all these features are physically viable. In the model, some known compact stars, viz. 4U 1820–30, 4U 1608–52 and EXO 1745–248 (I) & (II) are studied successfully through physical analysis. It is also interesting to note that the obtained set of regular solutions to the Einstein–Maxwell equations represents an electromagnetic mass model for isotropic fluid without invoking any negative pressure.