Image Format Comparison

HEIC vs WebP: Apple's Photo Format vs Google's Web Image Format

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the format iPhones use by default since iOS 11, based on the HEVC (H.265) video codec. It stores exceptional image quality at roughly half the file size of JPG. WebP is Google's web-optimised format that outperforms JPG by 25–35% — smaller files with comparable quality, plus support for transparency and animation. HEIC wins on image quality metrics; WebP wins on universal web compatibility. They're complementary: shoot in HEIC, serve in WebP.

HEICvsWebP

Quick Verdict

Use HEIC when…

HEIC is superior for photography

Use WebP when…

better detail, wide colour, and efficient storage on Apple devices. WebP is superior for the web — universal browser support, smaller files than JPG, and no licensing concerns. Convert HEIC to WebP when you need web-optimised images from iPhone shots; keep HEIC on-device for photo storage.

HEIC vs WebP: Feature Comparison

Feature	HEIC	WebP
Creator	Apple (MPEG/HEVC-based)	Google (2010)
Compression	Lossy / lossless (HEVC-based)	Lossy / lossless (VP8-based)
File size vs JPG	~50% smaller	~25–35% smaller
Colour depth	Up to 16-bit, wide colour	8-bit
Browser support	Safari only (natively)	All modern browsers
iOS support	Native (iPhone default since iOS 11)	View: yes; Capture: no
Animation	Yes (HEIF sequence)	Yes (animated WebP)
Transparency	Yes	Yes
Patent/licensing	Licensed (HEVC patents)	Royalty-free

When HEIC wins

✓Creator: Apple (MPEG/HEVC-based)
✓Compression: Lossy / lossless (HEVC-based)
✓File size vs JPG: ~50% smaller

When WebP wins

✓Creator: Google (2010)
✓Compression: Lossy / lossless (VP8-based)
✓File size vs JPG: ~25–35% smaller

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I view HEIC on Windows?

Windows needs the HEVC Video Extensions codec (from the Microsoft Store, $0.99 or free via device manufacturer) to display HEIC files in Photos. Alternatively, install the free 'HEIF Image Extensions' from Microsoft. Once installed, Windows Photos and File Explorer can open HEIC. Chrome and Firefox still don't display HEIC without conversion.

Should I convert iPhone photos from HEIC to WebP?

For web use, yes — WebP has universal browser support and is optimised for web delivery. For general sharing (email, social media), JPG is still safer as some recipients may not have HEIC support. For archiving, keep HEIC — it's the highest quality format iPhone produces. Convert at the point of delivery, not as your primary storage format.

Is HEIC or WebP better for websites?

WebP is better for websites — supported by all modern browsers, royalty-free, and specifically designed for web delivery. HEIC requires the browser to support HEIF/HEVC, which only Safari does natively. Always serve WebP (with a JPG fallback) on the web rather than HEIC.

How do I convert HEIC to WebP?

On Mac: use Preview to open HEIC and export as PNG, then convert PNG to WebP with cwebp or Squoosh. On Windows: convert HEIC to JPG first using the Microsoft Photos app, then convert to WebP. Online tools including formatdrop.com can handle the conversion directly.