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HEIC vs JPG/JPEG

Comparing High Efficiency Image Container and Joint Photographic Experts Group - which format should you use?

	HEIC	JPG/JPEG
Full Name	High Efficiency Image Container	Joint Photographic Experts Group
Extension	.heic	.jpg
MIME Type	image/heic	image/jpeg
Category	image	image

HEIC Pros

+50% smaller than JPEG at same quality
+Supports 16-bit color depth
+Stores multiple images (Live Photos, bursts)
+Supports transparency and depth maps

HEIC Cons

-Limited browser support (no native web support)
-Requires conversion for most platforms
-Patent-encumbered (HEVC licensing)
-Not supported by many image editors

JPG/JPEG Pros

+Excellent compression for photographs
+Universal support across all platforms
+Adjustable quality/size tradeoff
+Small file sizes for web use

JPG/JPEG Cons

-Lossy - quality degrades with each save
-No transparency support
-Artifacts visible at low quality settings
-Not ideal for text, logos, or sharp edges

Use HEIC when...

-iPhone and iPad photography
-Apple ecosystem sharing
-Storage-efficient photo libraries
-Live Photos and burst sequences

Use JPG/JPEG when...

-Digital photography
-Web images and thumbnails
-Social media uploads
-Email attachments

Learn more about HEIC Learn more about JPG/JPEG