AVIF vs. WebP: 6 Key Differences Between Modern Image Formats

For years, PNG and JPEG were the go-to image files for WordPress. They still dominate the web, but next-gen formats have slowly reduced their market share in recent years. Among them are AVIF and WebP.

WebP and AVIF are groundbreaking image formats developed to optimize web performance. AVIF offers superior compression and quality, especially for high-fidelity images. WebP has been a front-runner in image optimization, delivering impressive compression ratios with minimal quality loss.

Both formats offer great benefits, so here is a comprehensive AVIF vs WebP comparison to determine which is the better choice.

AVIF vs. WebP: Quick Overview

AVIF

AVIF is a modern image format created by the Alliance for Open Media in 2019. It uses the AV1 video codec and has higher compression efficiency, making it 50% smaller than JPG and 20-30% smaller than WebP. The AV1 codec supports lossy and lossless compression, transparency, animation, HDR, and 10-bit and 12-bit colors.

The format uses AV1’s inter-frame and intra-frame coding, applying transformative and predictive coding techniques to adjust the compression level based on the image’s complexity.

Pros

  • Smaller file sizes without sacrificing quality due to higher compression efficiency.
  • Better image quality, even in complex visual scenarios.
  • Accurate and vibrant color reproduction with 12-bit colors.
  • Supports transparency.
  • Adaptive and responsive image resolutions and quality levels.

Cons

  • Limited browser support.
  • Requires extensive computing power for encoding and decoding images.
  • Image editing tools still don’t widely support the AVIF format.

WebP

WebP is based on the VP8 video codec and combines lossy and lossless compression methods to achieve smaller file sizes. The format was developed by Google in 2009. It enables websites to display high-quality images while maintaining fast page speed. Due to its efficient compression rates, WebP images are 26% smaller than PNG and around 30% smaller than JPG .

WebP uses predictive coding, which predicts the values of neighboring pixels and only encodes the difference between actual and predicted values.

Pros

  • Compatible with all major browsers.
  • Saves bandwidth and device resources, which is valuable for mobile devices.
  • Makes your images stand out with lossy RGB transparency.
  • Natively compatible with all the major photo editing software.

Cons

  • Limited to 8-bit colors.
  • Does not support progressive encoding.
  • May degrade image quality in some scenarios.

AVIF vs WebP: Key Differences

Both formats are engineered to outclass traditional formats like JPEG and PNG with their compression efficiency. To gain a deeper understanding of AVIF vs WebP for your website and needs, here are the key differences between the two formats.

1. Compression Ability

Higher compression efficiency is the main selling point for both image formats, making it a crucial factor to consider. Smaller image files significantly reduce page load times and enhance user experience and SERP ranking.

Both WebP and AVIF support lossy and lossless compression. WebP excels in lossless compression, making it excellent for images without text. AVIF has better lossy compression for photos and text images, which is approximately 10% better than WebP. WebP can sometimes cause issues like blurring and color banding in lossy compression.

2. File Size

Image file size is essential, as it determines how much space the image will occupy on your device and server. The smaller the file size, the less space it will occupy on your website server and device.

AVIF has better compression technology than WebP. However, for uncompressed images, WebP outperforms AVIF in terms of file size. Uncompressed WebP is 1.75 times smaller than AVIF images.

For compressed images, AVIF is significantly better than WebP, offering superior lossy compression and delivering high-quality images that require less storage.

3. Image Quality

Image quality is crucial because it directly impacts user experience. AVIF and WebP offer improved quality compared to JPEG, but there are differences in how they achieve this.

AVIF uses advanced compression techniques and supports higher color depths, which result in more color-accurate and detail-rich images with fewer compression artifacts. WebP also provides excellent image quality, but it may not be as sharp and vibrant as AVIF due to its 8-bit color support and VP8 codec.

4. Browser Support

Browser support is crucial when choosing an image format, as it determines how widely accessible your images will be. WebP enjoys vast compatibility across all major browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari. In contrast, AVIF, being a relatively new format, is supported only by Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. However, browser support for AVIF is expected to grow as developers recognize its potential benefits.

Regarding social media, both Meta and X prefer and support WebP. Despite being smaller and of better quality, AVIF is not yet the preferred image format for social media.

5. Use Cases

Due to its efficient compression techniques and higher color depth, AVIF is well-suited for high-quality images such as photographs. AVIF delivers precise colors and better details, making it ideal for pictures with large areas of uniform colors. Its compression methods can effectively reduce file size without compromising image quality.

WebP is a versatile format that works well with various images, including photographs, illustrations, web images, logos, and animations. The lossy and lossless compression, combined with effective support for transparency and animations, makes it suitable for many use cases.

6. Editing Flexibility

Editable image formats are essential. Many formats lose quality after repeated edits and saves, while others retain the original quality, no matter how many times they are edited and saved.

Editing lossless WebP images is not a problem and does not affect quality, while lossy WebP images will lose quality after edits and saves.

The conditions are similar for AVIF images. The lossy images degrade after editing, while lossless images remain unchanged.

Another thing to consider before choosing an image format is compatibility. Almost all popular image software natively supports WebP. However, AVIF is not yet compatible with most editing software.

FAQs

When should you use the AVIF image format?

  • Great for high-quality photos that need precise colors and details.
  • Ideal for images with large areas of uniform colors.
  • Suitable for digital art and graphic design.

What should I do if I have JPG images?

You can convert your JPG images to WebP or AVIF format and use them as needed. Many image converters allow you to quickly convert your images without affecting quality.

Conclusion

While JPG and PNG remain the most dominant image formats, the modern AVIF and WebP provide an opportunity to improve website speed with advanced compression techniques and high-quality images. The AVIF vs. WebP comparison highlights the critical differences between both formats, helping you decide which format is suitable for your needs.