PNG vs WebP: Which Should You Use?
Both PNG and WebP support transparency and lossless compression — but WebP does it in a much smaller file. Here's when each format makes sense.
Why compare PNG and WebP?
PNG has been the go-to format for lossless images with transparency since the late 1990s. WebP, created by Google in 2010, can do everything PNG does — but with dramatically smaller file sizes. Now that every major browser supports WebP, the question is whether PNG is still worth using.
The short answer: both formats still have their place, depending on where your images end up.
File size: WebP wins
This is the biggest difference. In lossless mode, WebP files are typically 25–35% smaller than equivalent PNG files. For lossy compression with transparency (something PNG can't do at all), the savings are even greater.
For websites, this translates directly into faster page loads, lower bandwidth costs, and better Core Web Vitals scores. If you're serving images on the web, WebP is almost always the better choice.
Transparency support
Both formats support full alpha-channel transparency. A PNG logo with a transparent background converts to WebP without losing that transparency. This is one of WebP's key advantages over JPG, which has no transparency support at all.
When PNG is still the right choice
Despite WebP's advantages, there are still situations where PNG is better:
- Desktop applications:Many image editors, design tools, and presentation software still can't open WebP files. PNG works in everything.
- Print workflows: Print shops expect PNG or TIFF for high-quality output. WebP is not used in print.
- Email: Embedding WebP in HTML emails is unreliable across mail clients. PNG is the safe choice.
- Archival:PNG is an ISO standard with decades of tool support. If you're storing images for the long term, PNG is a safer bet for future compatibility.
- Favicon source files: While browsers accept various formats, many tools and CMS platforms expect PNG for favicons.
When WebP is the right choice
- Web publishing:Any image served on a website benefits from WebP's smaller size. All modern browsers support it.
- App assets: Mobile and desktop apps that need small image assets can use WebP to reduce bundle size.
- Performance-sensitive pages: Landing pages, e-commerce product images, and media-heavy sites see measurable improvements from switching to WebP.
PNG vs WebP at a glance
| Feature | PNG | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless only | Lossy & lossless |
| File size | Larger | 25–35% smaller |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | Yes (APNG) | Yes |
| Desktop app support | Universal | Growing but incomplete |
| Browser support | Universal | Universal (since 2020) |
Converting between PNG and WebP
Converting PNG to WebP is a quick win for web performance. Your transparent backgrounds stay intact, and you get a significantly smaller file.
Converting WebP to PNG is useful when you need to use a web image in desktop software, send it in an email, or include it in a print project.
FlipFiles handles both directions entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded, and your files stay on your device.