HEIC vs JPEG: Which Format Is Better?
Both formats store your photos, but they work in very different ways. Here’s the practical comparison to help you choose — and know when to convert.
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Supports .heic and .heif files
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File Size: HEIC Wins
At the same visual quality, a HEIC file is roughly 40–50% smaller than JPEG. If you shoot hundreds of photos, that difference means far more storage left on your phone.
Image Quality: HEIC Is More Efficient
HEIC uses modern compression that preserves detail and dynamic range better than JPEG’s older algorithm. For archiving or editing, HEIC keeps more information per byte.
Compatibility: JPEG Still Rules
JPEG opens on every device, browser, and app made in the last 25 years. HEIC needs a decoder that Windows, Android, and many websites don’t have by default.
When to Convert HEIC to JPEG
Convert to JPEG when sharing with friends, uploading to social media, or sending to print labs. Use the converter above to change HEIC to JPG in seconds — no upload, fully private.
Why Converted PNG Files Get So Big
HEIC is "high-efficiency lossy compression" while PNG is "lossless but weak compression". An iPhone photo is essentially HEVC-encoded, which compresses smooth gradients and fine noise extremely well; PNG's DEFLATE algorithm barely shrinks real photos (it shines on screenshots and line art, not photographs). Do the math and it adds up: a 12MP iPhone photo (4032×3024) is about 48.8 MB of uncompressed RGBA data. After PNG compression it typically lands at 15–30 MB — exactly the 15.5 MB / 30.1 MB figures you may have measured. So it isn't abnormal bloat; it's simply PNG's normal size. A secondary factor: our conversion pipeline keeps the alpha (transparency) channel even for opaque photos, adding roughly 25% versus plain RGB. But compared with PNG's own expansion, that's minor. For photos, PNG just isn't necessary. Switching to JPG or WebP shrinks the file back to near the original HEIC size with no visible difference: the same 12MP photo is about 24 MB as JPG (quality 90) and about 1.53 MB as WebP (quality 90). That's precisely why most HEIC converters default to JPG.
Keep HEIC on your iPhone for storage, but convert to JPEG whenever a file needs to travel. It's the best of both worlds.