Image Format Comparison

WebP vs HEIF — Google's Web Format vs Apple's Mobile Format

WebP and HEIF are competing modern image formats. WebP comes from Google — designed for the web, supported in every major browser. HEIF comes from MPEG and is championed by Apple — designed for mobile photo storage. Both achieve similar compression efficiency, but their ecosystems barely overlap.

WebPvsHEIF

Quick Verdict

Use WebP when…

Use WebP for web delivery — universal browser support, smaller files than JPG, and a Google-led ecosystem.

Use HEIF when…

Use HEIF on Apple devices for photo storage. iCloud Photos, AirDrop, and iOS apps all handle HEIF natively. Universal compatibility is poor outside Apple's walled garden.

WebP vs HEIF: Feature Comparison

Feature	WebP	HEIF
Origin	Google (2010)	MPEG / Apple (2015)
Underlying codec	VP8 (lossy), Lossless WebP	HEVC (lossy), AV1 (in HEIF/AVIF)
Browser support	Universal (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)	Safari only
iOS native	Yes (read), No (write)	Yes (default photo format)
Compression at low quality	Excellent	Excellent
Animation support	Yes	Yes (HEIF sequence)

When WebP wins

✓Origin: Google (2010)
✓Underlying codec: VP8 (lossy), Lossless WebP
✓Browser support: Universal (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

When HEIF wins

✓Origin: MPEG / Apple (2015)
✓Underlying codec: HEVC (lossy), AV1 (in HEIF/AVIF)
✓Browser support: Safari only

Frequently asked questions

WebP or HEIF for my website?

WebP — universal browser support makes it the only practical choice for web delivery. HEIF requires Safari-only fallbacks, which adds complexity. WebP also has broader CDN integration.

WebP or HEIF for storing iPhone photos?

HEIF — it's the iOS default and integrates with iCloud Photos, AirDrop, and Photos apps. WebP would require explicit conversion and lose ecosystem features. For Apple-ecosystem use, HEIF wins.