PSD VS ICO
The ultimate comparison guide. Understanding the technical differences between Photoshop Document and Icon File.
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
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
When PSD wins
Stay with PSD when you need brand systems or motion graphics. Its strengths center on unlimited layers and a feature set native to Adobe.
When ICO wins
Choose ICO when your workflow prioritizes favicons or desktop icons. It delivers contains multiple resolutions plus modern compression perks.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | PSD | ICO |
|---|---|---|
| MIME Type | image/vnd.adobe.photoshop | image/x-icon |
| Developer | Adobe | Microsoft |
| Release Year | 1990 | 1985 |
| Best For | Brand systems, Motion graphics, Print layouts | Favicons, Desktop icons |
Need to switch?
Where PSD still wins
Keep PSD when you need unlimited layers and workflows depend on brand systems / motion graphics. Link those teams directly to the converter above so they can ship ICO deliverables without leaving their browser.
- • Reference the .psd glossary from this page.
- • Embed the conversion CTA in docs, wikis, and onboarding runbooks.
- • Use ICO for favicons while archiving originals as PSD.
Keep crawlers in the conversion hub
Link this comparison to the relevant tool, glossary, and documentation pages so every crawl discovers a monetizable route.