AVIF vs WebP

Two modern image formats: AVIF pushes compression and color further, while WebP offers wider, more mature support.

AVIF is an image format derived from the AV1 video codec, designed for strong compression along with HDR and wide color gamut support. WebP, developed by Google and based on the VP8/VP9 lineage, has been available since 2010 and now enjoys near-universal browser support. Both support lossy and lossless modes, transparency, and animation, but they differ in compression efficiency, color capabilities, and how broadly they are supported across software and operating systems.

	AVIF	WebP
Compression (lossy & lossless)	Both lossy and lossless. Typically produces smaller files than WebP at comparable quality, especially for lossy images.	Both lossy and lossless. Lossy is typically 25-35% smaller than JPEG; lossless is typically smaller than PNG.
Transparency / alpha	Supported, including in lossy mode, with full alpha channel.	Supported, including in lossy mode, with full alpha channel.
Animation	Supported via image sequences.	Supported; a common smaller alternative to animated GIF.
Color depth / HDR / wide gamut	Up to 10- and 12-bit color, HDR, and wide color gamuts (e.g. Rec. 2020).	8-bit color only; no HDR or wide gamut support.
Browser & OS support	Supported in current Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, plus recent macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows; older versions and tools may lack support.	Broad, mature support across all major browsers and most modern image software and operating systems.
Editing & software support	Decoding can be slower; tooling and editor support is still catching up.	Faster decode; widely handled by editors, CMS platforms, and libraries.

Choose AVIF when

You want the smallest file size at a given visual quality, particularly for photographic, lossy images.
Your images use HDR, 10/12-bit color depth, or a wide gamut such as Rec. 2020.
You can serve a modern-format fallback (e.g. via the picture element) for clients that do not support AVIF.
Bandwidth and storage savings matter more than maximum compatibility or fast decode.

Choose WebP when

You need broad, dependable support across browsers, operating systems, and editing tools today.
You want a single modern format that reliably replaces both JPEG and PNG on the web.
Faster decoding and lighter processing are priorities, for example on lower-powered devices.
8-bit color is sufficient and you do not need HDR or wide gamut.

Use AVIF when you need the best compression or HDR/wide-gamut color and can provide a fallback for unsupported clients. Use WebP when you want a well-supported, fast-decoding modern format that works almost everywhere with less configuration. For web delivery, many sites serve AVIF first and fall back to WebP, then JPEG/PNG.

Related conversions

Frequently asked questions

Is AVIF always smaller than WebP?

Usually, but not always. AVIF generally achieves smaller files at comparable quality, especially for lossy photographic content. For some images, particularly simple graphics or certain lossless cases, the difference is small or WebP can be competitive, so it is worth comparing both.

Can both formats replace JPEG and PNG?

Yes. Both support lossy compression (a JPEG alternative) and lossless compression with transparency (a PNG alternative), so each can replace JPEG and PNG in a single format. WebP currently has broader support for this role across tools and platforms.

Does WebP support HDR or 10-bit color?

No. WebP is limited to 8-bit color and does not support HDR or wide color gamuts. If you need higher bit depth, HDR, or wide gamut such as Rec. 2020, AVIF is the appropriate choice of the two.

Will AVIF and WebP open everywhere?

WebP is supported in all major current browsers and most modern image software. AVIF is supported in current versions of major browsers and recent operating systems, but older browsers, devices, and some editing tools may not open it, so a fallback format is recommended for AVIF.