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SVG vs PNG

Comparing Scalable Vector Graphics and Portable Network Graphics - which format should you use?

	SVG	PNG
Full Name	Scalable Vector Graphics	Portable Network Graphics
Extension	.svg	.png
MIME Type	image/svg+xml	image/png
Category	image	image

SVG Pros

+Infinitely scalable without quality loss
+Tiny file sizes for simple graphics
+Editable with any text editor
+Supports CSS styling and JavaScript animation

SVG Cons

-Not suitable for photographs
-Complex SVGs can be large and slow to render
-Security concerns when accepting user-uploaded SVGs
-Inconsistent rendering across browsers for complex features

PNG Pros

+Lossless compression - no quality loss
+Full alpha transparency support
+Wide browser and software support
+Good for graphics, logos, screenshots

PNG Cons

-Larger file sizes than JPEG for photographs
-No animation support (use APNG or GIF)
-Not ideal for print (use TIFF or PDF)
-No EXIF metadata support

Use SVG when...

-Logos and brand marks
-Icons and UI elements
-Infographics and charts
-Responsive web illustrations

Use PNG when...

-Website graphics and logos
-Screenshots and UI mockups
-Images requiring transparency
-Digital art and illustrations

Learn more about SVG Learn more about PNG