AVIF vs PNG: When to Use Each Format
Comparing two formats that both support transparency and lossless compression
Overview
PNG has been the go-to format for lossless images and transparency since 1996. AVIF, released in 2019, offers the same features with dramatically better compression. Both are royalty-free, but they target different use cases depending on your priorities.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AVIF | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | AV1 (lossy + lossless) | Deflate (lossless only) |
| File size (photo) | 50-80% smaller | Baseline |
| File size (lossless) | 20-30% smaller | Baseline |
| Transparency | Yes (alpha) | Yes (alpha) |
| Color depth | 8/10/12-bit | 8/16-bit |
| HDR support | Yes | No |
| Animation | Yes | Via APNG |
| Browser support | 95%+ (2026) | 100% |
| Editing support | Growing | Universal |
When to Use AVIF
Choose AVIF when delivering images on the web where file size directly impacts page speed. AVIF excels at photographic content with transparency (product images on transparent backgrounds, hero images with alpha gradients) where PNG files would be unnecessarily large.
When to Use PNG
Choose PNG when you need universal software compatibility — every image editor, every platform, and every browser supports PNG. PNG is also the safer choice for sharing source files, print workflows, and when pixel-perfect lossless quality is non-negotiable.
Migration Strategy
For web projects, convert your PNG assets to AVIF for delivery while keeping the original PNGs as source files. Use the HTML <picture> element to serve AVIF with a PNG fallback for maximum compatibility.
Ready to convert? Try our PNG to AVIF or AVIF to PNG converters — free and 100% private.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most web images, yes. AVIF files are 50-80% smaller than PNG while supporting both lossy and lossless compression. PNG remains better for pixel-perfect icon files and when maximum editing compatibility is needed.
Yes. AVIF supports true lossless compression, though AVIF lossless files are typically 20-30% smaller than equivalent PNG files.
Yes. AVIF supports full alpha transparency just like PNG. Both formats handle 8-bit alpha channels, but AVIF also supports 10-bit and 12-bit depth.
Use PNG when you need maximum software compatibility (image editors, legacy systems), when sharing files that others will edit, or for very small icons where the size difference is negligible.