JPEG vs PNG vs WebP vs HEIC: Which Image Format Should You Use?

Choosing the right image format can make a big difference in file size, quality, and compatibility. Each format has strengths and trade-offs, and the best choice depends on your specific use case. Let's break down the four most popular image formats.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

File extension: .jpg or .jpeg

JPEG is the most widely used image format in the world. It was designed specifically for photographs and uses lossy compression to achieve small file sizes.

Strengths

• Universal compatibility: Supported by every device, browser, and application
• Small file sizes: Excellent compression ratios for photographs
• Adjustable quality: Fine control over the quality-size trade-off
• Mature ecosystem: Decades of optimization and tooling support

Weaknesses

• No transparency: Cannot store transparent backgrounds
• Lossy only: Each save/re-compression degrades quality slightly
• Poor for graphics: Text, sharp edges, and flat colors can show compression artifacts

Best For

Photographs, social media images, email attachments, and any image where universal compatibility matters.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics)

File extension: .png

PNG was created as a patent-free alternative to GIF and supports lossless compression with full transparency.

Strengths

• Lossless compression: No quality loss when saving
• Transparency support: Full alpha channel for transparent backgrounds
• Sharp edges: Perfect for text, logos, and graphics
• Wide compatibility: Supported everywhere

Weaknesses

• Larger file sizes: Significantly bigger than JPEG for photographs
• No animation: Static images only (unlike GIF or WebP)
• Overkill for photos: Lossless compression isn't necessary for most photographs

Best For

Logos, icons, screenshots, graphics with text, images requiring transparency, and any content where pixel-perfect accuracy matters.

WebP

File extension: .webp

WebP was developed by Google as a modern format that combines the best features of JPEG and PNG with superior compression.

Strengths

• Superior compression: 25-34% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality
• Transparency support: Alpha channel like PNG, but with much smaller files
• Lossy and lossless: Supports both compression modes
• Animation support: Can replace animated GIFs with much smaller files

Weaknesses

• Growing compatibility: Supported by all modern browsers but older software may struggle
• Less familiar: Some users and services don't recognize the format
• Limited editing tools: Fewer image editors support WebP natively

Best For

Web images, modern app content, social media (when supported), and any scenario where you want the smallest possible file size without quality loss.

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container)

File extension: .heic or .heif

HEIC uses the HEVC video codec for image compression and is the default format for iPhone photos since iOS 11.

Strengths

• Excellent compression: Up to 50% smaller than JPEG at the same quality
• High quality: Supports 16-bit color depth (vs JPEG's 8-bit)
• Multiple images: Can store image sequences and depth maps
• iOS default: Native format for iPhone and iPad

Weaknesses

• Limited compatibility: Not widely supported outside Apple ecosystem
• Licensing: HEVC codec has licensing requirements
• Web support: Not supported by most web browsers
• Sharing issues: Often needs conversion before sharing with Android or Windows users

Best For

iPhone photography, Apple ecosystem workflows, and situations where storage efficiency matters more than universal compatibility.

Quick Comparison Table

When to Convert Between Formats

Here are common scenarios where format conversion makes sense:

• HEIC to JPEG: When sharing iPhone photos with Android or Windows users
• PNG to WebP: When optimizing website images for faster loading
• JPEG to PNG: When you need to add transparency or avoid further quality loss
• Any format to WebP: When you want the smallest file size for modern platforms

How Pixoma Helps

Pixoma makes format conversion effortless:

1. Select your image(s)
2. Choose the target format (JPEG, PNG, WebP)
3. Adjust quality settings if needed
4. Convert — all processing happens locally on your device

You can also batch convert multiple images at once, making it easy to prepare entire albums for sharing or web publishing.

Conclusion

There's no single "best" image format — it depends on your needs. Use JPEG for universal photo sharing, PNG for graphics and transparency, WebP for the best modern compression, and HEIC for efficient iPhone storage. When you need to switch between formats, Pixoma handles the conversion privately on your device with full quality control.