ICO VS PSD
The ultimate comparison guide. Understanding the technical differences between Icon File and Photoshop Document.
ICO
icoStandard format used for computer icons and favicons.
Pros
- Contains multiple resolutions
- Standard for Windows/Web icons
Cons
- Limited use case
- Inefficient for general images
PSD
psdLayered design file supporting masks, smart objects, and high bit depths.
Pros
- Unlimited layers
- High bit-depth color
- Non-destructive effects
Cons
- Requires Adobe apps
- Large file sizes
- Not web friendly
When ICO wins
Stay with ICO when you need favicons or desktop icons. Its strengths center on contains multiple resolutions and a feature set native to Microsoft.
When PSD wins
Choose PSD when your workflow prioritizes brand systems or motion graphics. It delivers unlimited layers plus modern compression perks.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | ICO | PSD |
|---|---|---|
| MIME Type | image/x-icon | image/vnd.adobe.photoshop |
| Developer | Microsoft | Adobe |
| Release Year | 1985 | 1990 |
| Best For | Favicons, Desktop icons | Brand systems, Motion graphics, Print layouts |
Need to switch?
Where ICO still wins
Keep ICO when you need contains multiple resolutions and workflows depend on favicons / desktop icons. Link those teams directly to the converter above so they can ship PSD deliverables without leaving their browser.
- • Reference the .ico glossary from this page.
- • Embed the conversion CTA in docs, wikis, and onboarding runbooks.
- • Use PSD for brand systems while archiving originals as ICO.
Keep crawlers in the conversion hub
Link this comparison to the relevant tool, glossary, and documentation pages so every crawl discovers a monetizable route.