WebP VS HEIC
The ultimate comparison guide. Understanding the technical differences between Web Picture Format and High Efficiency Image Container.
WebP
webpModern format providing superior compression for web performance.
Pros
- Superior compression (30% smaller than JPG)
- Supports transparency
- Supports animation
Cons
- Not supported by very old browsers
- Complex encoding
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 WebP wins
Stay with WebP when you need modern websites or app assets. Its strengths center on superior compression (30% smaller than jpg) and a feature set native to Google.
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 | WebP | HEIC |
|---|---|---|
| MIME Type | image/webp | image/heic |
| Developer | MPEG | |
| Release Year | 2010 | 2015 |
| Best For | Modern websites, App assets, Speed optimization | iPhone photography, Apple ecosystem |
Need to switch?
Where WebP still wins
Keep WebP when you need superior compression (30% smaller than jpg) and workflows depend on modern websites / app assets. Link those teams directly to the converter above so they can ship HEIC deliverables without leaving their browser.
- • Reference the .webp glossary from this page.
- • Embed the conversion CTA in docs, wikis, and onboarding runbooks.
- • Use HEIC for iphone photography while archiving originals as WebP.
Keep crawlers in the conversion hub
Link this comparison to the relevant tool, glossary, and documentation pages so every crawl discovers a monetizable route.