WebP vs PNG
Comparing Web Picture Format and Portable Network Graphics — which format should you use?
| WebP | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Web Picture Format | Portable Network Graphics |
| Extension | .webp | .png |
| MIME Type | image/webp | image/png |
| Category | image | image |
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
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 WebP when...
- -Website images (best format for web)
- -Progressive web apps
- -Replacing both PNG and JPEG on websites
- -Animated images (better than GIF)
Use PNG when...
- -Website graphics and logos
- -Screenshots and UI mockups
- -Images requiring transparency
- -Digital art and illustrations