HEIC vs WebP
Comparing High Efficiency Image Container and Web Picture Format — which format should you use?
| HEIC | WebP | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | High Efficiency Image Container | Web Picture Format |
| Extension | .heic | .webp |
| MIME Type | image/heic | image/webp |
| 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
WebP Pros
- +25-35% smaller than JPEG at same quality
- +Supports transparency (like PNG)
- +Supports animation (like GIF)
- +Supported by all modern browsers
WebP Cons
- -Not universally supported in older software
- -Lossy mode can produce different artifacts than JPEG
- -Limited support in print workflows
- -Some social media platforms don't accept WebP
Use HEIC when...
- -iPhone and iPad photography
- -Apple ecosystem sharing
- -Storage-efficient photo libraries
- -Live Photos and burst sequences
Use WebP when...
- -Website images (best format for web)
- -Progressive web apps
- -Replacing both PNG and JPEG on websites
- -Animated images (better than GIF)