Tech Comparisons
PNG vs JPG vs WebP
PNG, JPG, and WebP each have distinct strengths. Choosing the right format can cut page load times by 30–80% without visible quality loss.
| Feature | PNG | JPG | WebP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression type | Lossless — no quality loss on save. | Lossy — some quality lost each save, adjustable. | Both — supports lossless and lossy compression. |
| Transparency | Full alpha channel transparency support. | No transparency support. | Full alpha channel transparency support. |
| File size | Largest — lossless compression produces bigger files. | Smaller — lossy compression reduces size significantly. | Smallest — 25–34% smaller than JPG, 26% smaller than PNG. |
| Best for | Logos, icons, screenshots, images with text, transparent images. | Photos, complex images without transparency. | Everything — best all-round format for the web. |
| Browser support | 100% — supported everywhere since the 1990s. | 100% — universally supported across all browsers and devices. | 97%+ — all modern browsers; IE not supported (irrelevant in 2026). |
| Animation | APNG supported but rarely used. | No animation support. | Yes — WebP animation replaces GIF with much smaller files. |
| SEO / Core Web Vitals | Heavier files can hurt LCP score. | Faster than PNG for photos but WebP is better. | Best for LCP — smaller files load faster, improving Core Web Vitals. |
PNG Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lossless — perfect for images that need editing or re-saving
- Full transparency support for logos and icons
- Sharp text and edges — ideal for screenshots and diagrams
- Universal support across all platforms
Cons
- Largest file sizes — slowest to load
- Not suitable for photographs (wasteful file size)
- Poor choice for Core Web Vitals optimisation
JPG Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great for photographs — high quality at small file sizes
- Universally supported — works on every device and browser
- Adjustable quality — balance size vs quality per use case
Cons
- Lossy — quality degrades with each re-save
- No transparency support
- Larger than WebP at equivalent quality
Verdict
In 2026, WebP should be your default for web images — it's smaller than both PNG and JPG and is supported in all modern browsers. Use PNG when you need lossless quality or transparency for logos, icons, and screenshots. Use JPG only when WebP isn't an option and you need broad compatibility for photographs. Avoid using PNG for photographs — the file sizes are unnecessarily large.