GIF vs PNG: animation and palette vs true-color stills
GIF supports animation but limits colors to 256. PNG is lossless, full-color and ideal for crisp still graphics and UI with transparency.
| GIF | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Animation | Yes | No (APNG rare) |
| Colors | 256 max | Full color |
| Transparency | Yes, 1-bit alpha | Full alpha channel |
| Best for | Short loops, legacy embeds | Icons, screenshots, UI |
Verdict
Use GIF for simple animated loops where compatibility matters. Use PNG for sharp still images and transparent UI assets.