Google PageSpeed Insights keeps telling you to “serve images in next-gen formats” — but which one: WebP or AVIF? Both beat JPG and PNG, yet they have different strengths.
Here is a clear comparison to help you decide.
In this guide
- What are WebP and AVIF?
- File size and quality
- Browser and software support
- Encoding speed
- Which should you choose?
What are WebP and AVIF?
WebP was released by Google in 2010 and is now supported by every modern browser. AVIF is newer, based on the AV1 video codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media, and offers even stronger compression.
File size and quality
In typical tests, WebP is around 25–35% smaller than JPG, and AVIF is often a further 20% or more smaller than WebP at similar visual quality. AVIF especially shines on photos with smooth gradients, where it avoids blocky artefacts.
Browser and software support
Both are supported by current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari. WebP has broader support in older devices, CMS plugins, email clients and image editors, which makes it the safer default.
Encoding speed
AVIF takes noticeably longer to encode, which matters if your server converts images on the fly. WebP is fast to create.
Which should you choose?
- Choose WebP for the best balance of size, speed and compatibility.
- Choose AVIF when every kilobyte matters and your platform supports it.
- Best of both: serve AVIF with a WebP or JPG fallback using the HTML <picture> element.
Try both with our JPG to WebP and JPG to AVIF converters and compare the results.
Frequently asked questions
Does AVIF support transparency?
Yes, both AVIF and WebP support transparency and animation.
Will next-gen formats improve SEO?
Smaller images improve page speed and Largest Contentful Paint, which supports better user experience and rankings.
Can I convert AVIF back to JPG?
Yes, with our AVIF to JPG converter.
