BMP VS HEIC
The ultimate comparison guide. Understanding the technical differences between Bitmap Image File and High Efficiency Image Container.
BMP
bmpUncompressed raster graphics, high quality but large file size.
Pros
- Uncompressed quality
- Simple structure
- Fast processing
Cons
- Huge file sizes
- No compression
- No web usage
HEIC
heicStandard format on modern Apple devices, highly efficient storage.
Pros
- Half the size of JPG
- 16-bit color
- Live photo support
Cons
- Limited support on Windows/Android
- Licensing issues
When BMP wins
Stay with BMP when you need windows system files or legacy software. Its strengths center on uncompressed quality and a feature set native to Microsoft.
When HEIC wins
Choose HEIC when your workflow prioritizes iphone photography or apple ecosystem. It delivers half the size of jpg plus modern compression perks.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | BMP | HEIC |
|---|---|---|
| MIME Type | image/bmp | image/heic |
| Developer | Microsoft | MPEG |
| Release Year | 1990 | 2015 |
| Best For | Windows system files, Legacy software | iPhone photography, Apple ecosystem |
Need to switch?
Where BMP still wins
Keep BMP when you need uncompressed quality and workflows depend on windows system files / legacy software. Link those teams directly to the converter above so they can ship HEIC deliverables without leaving their browser.
- • Reference the .bmp glossary from this page.
- • Embed the conversion CTA in docs, wikis, and onboarding runbooks.
- • Use HEIC for iphone photography while archiving originals as BMP.
Keep crawlers in the conversion hub
Link this comparison to the relevant tool, glossary, and documentation pages so every crawl discovers a monetizable route.