WebP vs HEIC
How do WebP and HEICcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.webp
Full guide →Web Picture Format
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior compression for images on the web. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation — all in one format.
.heic
Full guide →High Efficiency Image Container
HEIC is Apple's preferred image format, used by iPhones and iPads since iOS 11. It delivers significantly better compression than JPG while maintaining higher quality, but compatibility remains limited outside the Apple ecosystem.
| Specification | WebP | HEIC |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Web Picture Format | High Efficiency Image Container |
| Extension | .webp | .heic |
| MIME type | image/webp | image/heic |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Developer | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) | |
| Year introduced | 2010 | 2015 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
WebP advantages
- 25-35% smaller than JPG at equivalent quality
- Supports transparency like PNG
- Supports animation like GIF
- Both lossy and lossless modes available
WebP limitations
- Not supported by some older browsers
- Limited support in desktop editing software
- Less universal than JPG or PNG
- Maximum dimension of 16383x16383 pixels
HEIC advantages
- 50% smaller than JPG at equivalent quality
- Supports transparency and depth maps
- Live Photos and image sequences
- 16-bit color depth
HEIC limitations
- Limited compatibility outside Apple devices
- Not natively supported by most web browsers
- Requires special decoders on Windows/Android
- Patent-encumbered format
Which should you use?
Both WebP and HEIC have their strengths. WebP excels at website optimization and performance, while HEIC is better for iphone and ipad photography.
Best uses for WebP
Best uses for HEIC
Convert between WebP and HEIC
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.