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 two Microsoft Store extensions, not one: the free HEIF Image Extension to read the container, plus HEVC Video Extensions ($0.99 in the US Store, or free when your PC maker supplies it) to decode the picture inside. Microsoft's listing for the free extension says the HEVC package must be installed to view .heic images. With both in place, 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.
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