HEIC vs PNG: what's the difference?
Short answer: HEIC is a compact photo format; PNG is a large lossless format best kept for graphics. Convert HEIC to PNG only when you need lossless editing.
| HEIC | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | High Efficiency Image Container (HEIF) | Portable Network Graphics |
| File extensions | .heic, .heif | .png |
| MIME type | image/heic | image/png |
| Introduced | 2015 | 1996 |
| Compression | Lossy (HEVC) | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes (full alpha) |
| Animation | Yes (sequences) | APNG only |
| Typical file size | Very small | Large |
| Best for | storing photos on iPhone and iPad efficiently | screenshots, logos, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background |
| Compatibility | Apple devices; poor support on Windows, Android, the web and upload forms | Universal: every browser, OS and editor |
File size
A PNG of an iPhone photo is often 10 times larger than the HEIC.
Image quality
PNG preserves the decoded image exactly. HEIC is lossy but very efficient.
Transparency and animation
HEIC: transparency yes, animation yes (sequences). PNG: transparency yes (full alpha), animation apng only.
Compatibility
HEIC: Apple devices; poor support on Windows, Android, the web and upload forms.
PNG: Universal: every browser, OS and editor.
When to use HEIC
- Everyday iPhone photos
When to use PNG
- Editing photos without further quality loss
- Cut-outs that need transparency
Convert between HEIC and PNG
Frequently asked questions
Is HEIC better than PNG?
HEIC is a compact photo format; PNG is a large lossless format best kept for graphics. Convert HEIC to PNG only when you need lossless editing.
Which is smaller, HEIC or PNG?
A PNG of an iPhone photo is often 10 times larger than the HEIC.
Which has better quality, HEIC or PNG?
PNG preserves the decoded image exactly. HEIC is lossy but very efficient.
How do I convert HEIC to PNG?
Open the free HEIC to PNG converter, add your files and download the results. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.