AVIF vs. WebP vs. JPEG: Which Image Format is Best for Your Website?

Choosing the right image format is crucial for website performance, user experience, and SEO. With the introduction of modern formats like AVIF and WebP, the decision is no longer just about JPEG vs. PNG. In this article, we'll compare three of the most popular image formats—AVIF, WebP, and JPEG—to help you decide which one is best for your needs.

A Quick Overview

• JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): The long-standing champion of the web, JPEG has been the go-to format for photographs for decades. It's known for its universal browser support and good compression for photographic images.
• WebP: Developed by Google, WebP was created to be a successor to JPEG, offering better compression and more features, like transparency and animation.
• AVIF (AV1 Image File Format): The newest contender, AVIF, is backed by major tech companies like Google, Netflix, and Apple. It promises even better compression than WebP, making it a strong candidate for the future of web images.

Compression and File Size

When it comes to compression, there's a clear hierarchy:

1. AVIF: Offers the best compression, resulting in the smallest file sizes. On average, an AVIF image can be up to 50% smaller than a JPEG of similar quality.

2. WebP: Sits in the middle, offering a significant improvement over JPEG (around 25-35% smaller) but not quite as efficient as AVIF.

3. JPEG: While still a solid choice, JPEG's compression technology is older and less efficient than its modern counterparts.

For a website looking to maximize speed, AVIF is the winner in this category.

Image Quality

All three formats use lossy compression, which means some data is lost during the compression process. However, the efficiency of the compression algorithm determines how much quality is retained at a given file size.

• AVIF: Tends to produce higher-quality images at lower file sizes, with fewer noticeable artifacts.
• WebP: Also offers excellent quality, often indistinguishable from JPEG at a smaller file size.
• JPEG: Can suffer from blocky artifacts, especially at high compression levels.

Again, AVIF has the edge in terms of quality-to-size ratio.

Browser Support

This is where the decision gets a bit more complicated.

• JPEG: Has universal support across all browsers and devices. You can use it without worrying about compatibility issues.
• WebP: Is now supported by over 97% of modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. It's a safe bet for most websites.
• AVIF: While its adoption is growing rapidly, it's not yet as widely supported as WebP. It's available in Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, with Safari offering support in recent versions.

For maximum compatibility, JPEG is still king, but WebP is a close and practical second.

Which Format Should You Use?

The best format for your website depends on your priorities:

• For maximum performance and future-proofing: AVIF is the clear winner, as long as you're comfortable with its current browser support limitations.
• For a balance of performance and compatibility: WebP is the ideal choice for most websites today. It offers a significant improvement over JPEG with excellent browser support.
• For universal compatibility: If you need to support older browsers or platforms, JPEG remains a reliable option.

The ImgSquash Solution

At ImgSquash.com, you don't have to choose just one. Our free online image compressor allows you to convert and compress your images to AVIF, WebP, and JPEG, so you can find the perfect format for your needs.

Try our AVIF compressor and WebP compressor to see the difference for yourself!