HEIC vs PNG: Complete Format Comparison

Choosing between HEIC and PNG can significantly impact your photos' file size, quality, and compatibility. This guide compares both formats to help you make the right choice.

Quick Comparison

Feature HEIC PNG
File Size 50% smaller Larger files
Compression Advanced lossy Lossless
Quality Excellent Perfect (lossless)
Transparency Yes Yes
Compatibility Limited Universal
Animation Yes No (use APNG)
Color Depth 16-bit 8-bit or 16-bit
Web Support Limited All browsers

HEIC: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • 50% smaller file sizes
  • Excellent image quality
  • Supports 16-bit color
  • Can store multiple images
  • Preserves editing history
  • Supports transparency

Cons

  • Limited compatibility
  • Not supported on older Windows
  • Many websites reject it
  • Email issues common
  • Requires special software

PNG: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Universal compatibility
  • Lossless quality
  • Works everywhere
  • Perfect for graphics
  • Supports transparency
  • No conversion needed

Cons

  • Larger file sizes
  • No animation support
  • Takes more storage
  • Slower uploads
  • Not ideal for photos

When to Use Each Format

Use HEIC When:

Use PNG When:

File Size Comparison

Here's a real-world example of the same 12MP iPhone photo:

Format File Size Relative Size
HEIC 1.5 MB Smallest
JPEG (90% quality) 2.8 MB Medium
PNG 8.2 MB Largest
WebP 1.8 MB Small

Pro Tip: For the best balance of quality and file size when sharing photos online, consider converting HEIC to WebP. It offers near-PNG quality with file sizes close to HEIC.

Convert HEIC to PNG Instantly

Need to convert your HEIC photos? Use HoneyConvert for free, instant conversion to PNG, JPEG, or WebP.

Convert Now - It's Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, HEIC or PNG?

Neither is universally better - it depends on your needs. HEIC offers smaller file sizes (about 50% smaller), while PNG provides universal compatibility. Choose HEIC for Apple devices and storage efficiency, PNG for sharing and web use.

Does converting HEIC to PNG lose quality?

No, converting HEIC to PNG does not lose quality. PNG is a lossless format, meaning it preserves all image data. The converted file may actually be larger because PNG doesn't use the same compression.

Should I convert HEIC to PNG or JPEG?

Convert to PNG if you need the highest quality and transparency support. Convert to JPEG if you need smaller file sizes and don't need transparency. For web use, WebP offers the best balance.

Can I convert PNG back to HEIC?

Yes, but there's no benefit. HEIC's advantage is in capturing photos at smaller sizes. Converting an already-decompressed PNG to HEIC won't recover the original file size savings.

Related Articles

Convert HEIC Files Now