WebP vs AVIF: which image format should you use?
WebP and AVIF are both modern image formats built to load faster than JPEG and PNG. AVIF usually wins on file size and quality, while WebP wins on compatibility and encoding speed. Here is how they compare in practice.
| WebP | AVIF | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Smaller than JPEG/PNG | Smaller than WebP at the same quality |
| Quality at low size | Very good | Excellent, fewer artifacts |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | Yes | Yes |
| Browser support | Excellent, near universal | Good and growing |
| Encoding speed | Fast | Slower (more compute) |
| Best for | Safe web default today | Maximum savings on modern sites |
Verdict
Use WebP when you want broad compatibility with minimal effort. Choose AVIF when file size matters most and your audience uses up-to-date browsers. Many sites serve AVIF with a WebP or JPEG fallback.