“WebP vs PNG: Which one should I use?” Have you ever asked yourself this question while uploading images to your WordPress website?
If yes, you are not alone. Many people out there have the same question in mind.
Now that you have found this blog, you don’t have to think about that question anymore. It is just a matter of time for you to understand the core features and differences between WebP and PNG.
At the end of reading this blog, you will know almost all the essential information about WebP and PNG and you will be able to understand and decide exactly which format will meet your needs and which you should use on your website.
Ready to go ahead? Just keep reading.
WebP vs PNG Head-to-head Comparision
If you do not have time to go through this complete blog, below is a table for you to compare WebP with PNG image format right away based on different criteria.
| Feature | WebP | PNG |
| File Size | Smaller than PNG (up to 26% smaller) | Larger, especially for complex images |
| Compression Type | Both lossless and lossy | Lossless only |
| Transparency Support | Yes, with alpha channel | Yes, with alpha channel |
| Browser Compatibility | Most modern browsers | All modern browsers |
| Image Quality | High, maintains quality despite size | High, no quality loss due to compression |
| Color Depth | 24-bit RGB, 8-bit alpha (lossless) | 24-bit RGB, 8-bit alpha |
| Animation Support | Yes, supports animated WebP (similar to GIF) | No, does not support animation |
| Ideal Use Cases | Web graphics, photos, animations | Logos, icons, images requiring transparency and sharp details |
| Patent-Free | Yes | Yes |
| Editability | Good, but repeated lossy edits can degrade quality | Excellent, no degradation over edits |
| Load Time Impact | Faster due to smaller file sizes | Slower due to larger file sizes |
| Mobile Performance | Optimized for better performance on mobile devices | Can be less efficient on mobile devices due to larger sizes |
| Server Load | Reduced due to smaller file sizes | Higher server load due to larger file sizes |
| Color Accuracy | Good, but can vary with lossy compression | Excellent, no loss of color accuracy |
| Support for Metadata | Yes, supports EXIF and XMP metadata | Limited metadata support |
| Adoption by Major Platforms | Supported by Google services and products (e.g., Google Photos) | Universally supported across all platforms |
| Rendering Speed | Faster rendering due to smaller size and optimized compression | Generally slower due to larger size and less optimized compression |
| Developer Tools Support | Extensive support in modern web development tools | Universally supported with extensive tools available |
Different Kinds of Image Formats for Websites and Their Usage
There are different kinds of image formats available for use. Below are the most common ones and their suitability:
JPEG/JPG: Ideal for photographs and images with many colors. They can be compressed significantly, balancing quality and file size.
PNG: Best for images requiring transparency and crisp edges, such as logos and icons. However, PNGs generally have larger file sizes compared to JPEGs.
GIF: Suitable for simple animations and low-color images. GIFs are less efficient in terms of compression for complex images.
WebP: Developed by Google, WebP offers superior compression, producing smaller file sizes without compromising quality. This format supports both lossy and lossless compression, making it versatile.
SVG: Vector format ideal for scalable graphics. SVGs are resolution-independent and typically smaller in size for simple graphics compared to raster images.
Understanding WebP and PNG: The Essentials
The Beginning Story of WebP File Format
WebP is an advanced image format developed by Google, designed to improve web performance by offering superior compression techniques. It was introduced in 2010 as a part of Google’s broader effort to make the web faster and more efficient. WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression, providing an excellent solution for various image types and uses.
3 Key Advantages of WebP File Format
Let’s discuss the core advantages of Using WebP File Format.
Superior Lossless and Lossy Compression Compared to PNG
WebP excels in both lossless and lossy compression. For lossless compression, WebP uses techniques such as predictive coding to reduce file sizes more efficiently than PNG, which typically results in significant savings without sacrificing image fidelity. In terms of lossy compression, WebP offers a higher compression ratio than JPEG while maintaining comparable quality.
Smaller File Sizes Leading to Faster Loading Times
One of the most compelling advantages of WebP is its ability to produce smaller file sizes. WebP images are often 25-34% smaller than comparable JPEG images and can be up to 26% smaller than PNGs. These reductions in file size directly contribute to faster webpage loading times, enhancing user experience and improving site performance, particularly on mobile devices and slower networks.
Maintained Image Quality Despite Significant Reduction in Size
Despite the smaller file sizes, WebP manages to maintain high image quality. This is achieved through advanced compression algorithms that preserve visual integrity, ensuring that images look crisp and clear. This balance between size and quality is particularly beneficial for websites that rely heavily on visual content, such as e-commerce platforms and media-rich blogs.
Browser Compatibility of WebP
The good news? Most modern browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Opera, have embraced WebP. This means you can leverage its benefits without worrying about compatibility issues for the vast majority of your website visitors.
What is PNG?
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a raster graphics file format that supports lossless data compression. Developed as an improved, non-patented replacement for Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), PNG was created to handle the limitations of GIF while providing better compression and more features.
The PNG format was first introduced in 1996 and has since become a standard for web graphics, particularly where high-quality images and transparency are required.
History and Development of PNG
PNG was developed in response to the need for a more versatile and patent-free image format. The project was initiated by a group of developers led by Thomas Boutell, aiming to address the shortcomings of GIF, especially regarding color support and patent issues.
The first version of the PNG specification was published in October 1996, and it quickly gained popularity due to its robust feature set and open nature.
3 Key Benefits of PNG
Let’s explore the key benefits of using PNG File Format.
Lossless Compression
PNG uses lossless compression, meaning that no image data is lost during the compression process. This makes it ideal for images that require high fidelity and sharp details, such as logos, icons, and line art.
Supports Transparency
One of the standout features of PNG is its support for transparency. PNG images can include an alpha channel, which allows for varying levels of transparency. This capability is crucial for creating images with transparent backgrounds, clear overlays, and intricate designs that need to blend seamlessly with different backgrounds.
High Image Quality
Due to its lossless nature, PNG maintains high image quality even after multiple edits and saves. This makes it a preferred format for images that require repeated editing and saving, such as digital art and web graphics.
Types of PNG
PNG-8
PNG-8 stands for Portable Network Graphics with 8-bit color depth. It supports up to 256 colors. It uses a palette, so it can store a specific set of colors to represent the image.
When it comes to transparency, PNG-8 supports 1-bit transparency, which means a pixel is either fully transparent or fully opaque, with no in-between.
This type of PNG is Ideal for simple graphics like logos, icons, and line art where the color range is limited. It is perfect for web graphics where file size is a concern, as it’s much smaller than PNG-24 or PNG-32.
Advantages:
- Smaller file size, leading to faster loading times.
- Sufficient for images with limited colors and simple designs.
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for photographs or images requiring smooth gradients and high color fidelity.
- Limited transparency options.
PNG-24
PNG-24 stands for Portable Network Graphics with 24-bit color depth. It supports over 16 million colors (16,777,216 to be exact) using 8 bits for each color channel (red, green, and blue).
PNG-24 supports alpha transparency that allows varying degrees of transparency ranging from fully transparent, fully opaque, or any level in between.
This format is great for complex images like photographs and detailed illustrations where color richness and subtle gradations are important. It is also useful for web graphics where high quality is essential and a larger file size is acceptable.
Advantages:
- High color fidelity, making it perfect for detailed and vibrant images.
- Smooth gradients and transitions between colors.
Disadvantages:
- Larger file size compared to PNG-8, which can lead to slower loading times.
PNG-32
PNG-32 stands for Portable Network Graphics with 32-bit color depth. Like PNG-24, it supports over 16 million colors (24-bit for color).
This format adds an 8-bit alpha channel for transparency, giving it an additional 256 levels of transparency. As it features advanced alpha transparency, it allows complex transparency effects, such as shadows and anti-aliasing.
PNG-32 format is ideal for images requiring high color fidelity and complex transparency. It is usually used in web design and digital art where high-quality visuals and transparency effects are crucial.
Advantages:
- Combines the rich color of PNG-24 with advanced transparency capabilities.
- Allows for detailed and sophisticated image compositions.
Disadvantages:
- Even larger file size than PNG-24, which can significantly impact loading times if not optimized properly.
WebP vs PNG: A Detailed Comparison
Choosing the right image format for your website can significantly impact its performance and user experience. Here’s a deep dive into how WebP and PNG fare in key aspects:
Image Quality
Visual Comparisons: At first glance, both WebP and PNG can deliver exceptional image quality. However, the devil lies in the details. WebP’s lossy compression can introduce slight artifacts, especially in areas with high contrast or repetitive patterns, which might be noticeable upon close inspection. PNG’s lossless compression preserves every detail, making it ideal for images with sharp lines, text, or intricate elements.
Lossless vs. Lossy Compression: This is where the trade-off between quality and file size comes in. PNG uses lossless compression, ensuring every pixel is preserved perfectly. WebP offers both lossy and lossless options. Its lossless mode can sometimes outperform PNG by delivering slightly smaller files with the same level of detail. However, WebP’s true strength lies in its lossy compression. With minimal impact on visual quality, WebP achieves significantly smaller file sizes compared to PNG.
File Size
Average File Size Reductions: WebP boasts impressive file size reductions. Google claims that WebP lossy compression can shrink image sizes by 25-34% compared to JPEGs while maintaining comparable visual quality. When comparing lossless WebP to PNG, you can expect reductions of around 26%. This translates to faster loading times, especially for websites with many images.
Impact on Website Load Times and Performance: Smaller file sizes mean less data to download, leading to a noticeable improvement in website loading speed. This translates to a better user experience, as visitors don’t have to wait for images to load. Faster loading times also have a positive impact on search engine optimization (SEO).
Browser and Device Support
Current Support for PNG: PNG enjoys broad and well-established support across all browsers and devices. This makes it a safe choice for situations where compatibility is paramount.
Growing Support for WebP: While not as universally supported as PNG yet, WebP is gaining significant traction. Most modern browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Opera, now support WebP. However, older browsers or some less popular mobile devices might not.
Workarounds for Unsupported Browsers/Devices: If you’re concerned about compatibility, you can use a server-side script to automatically detect a user’s browser and serve either WebP or PNG accordingly. Alternatively, you can convert your images to a common format like JPEG for unsupported devices.
Transparency and Animation
Handling Transparency in Both Formats: Both WebP and PNG support transparency channels, allowing you to create images with clear backgrounds that seamlessly blend with other elements on your website. However, PNG offers a wider range of transparency options, making it more suitable for complex designs.
Support for Animations (APNG vs Animated WebP): While PNG doesn’t natively support animations, a lesser-known format called APNG (Animated PNG) allows for basic animations. However, APNG has limited browser support and can result in larger file sizes. WebP offers limited animation support as well, but with a more streamlined approach and potential for smaller file sizes compared to APNG. However, animated WebP is still under development and might not be widely supported yet.
WebP vs PNG: Which Should You Choose?
The choice between WebP and PNG depends on your specific needs. If image quality is paramount and compatibility is a major concern, PNG remains a solid choice.
However, for most web use cases, WebP’s superior compression and smaller file sizes make it the clear winner, especially when considering the growing browser support.
By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each format, you can optimize your images and deliver a faster, more visually appealing experience for your website visitors.
Easy Ways to Convert PNG Files to WebP
Though there are multiple ways you can convert PNG to WebP for better optimization of your images and website speed, two ways are the most common among them:
1. Converting individual PNG files to WebP using online tools
2. Bulk converting PNG files to WebP using a WordPress plugin.
How to Convert Individual PNG Files into WebP Using Online Tools
There are many websites that lets you convert individual PNG files to WebP online before you upload them to your website. Below are some PNG to WebP converter websites:
To convert individual images from PNG to WebP, just visit any of the above websites, upload your images, and click on the required button to start converting.
However, one of the limitations of using this online PNG to WebP converter website is that you can only convert one or just a few images at a time and it’s time-consuming. It is not a suitable approach for those who need to convert all their website images from PNG to WebP in one click. See how you can do that below.
How to Covert PNG into WebP in Bulk Using Next3 Offload WordPress Plugin
If you need to convert all the PNG images you have already uploaded into WebP in your WordPress website including the ones you’ll upload in the future, you will need to do it using a WordPress plugin.
Next3 Offload plugin can help you in this regard.
Being a full-fledged offloading plugin to let you upload your WordPress media files to cloud storage like Cloudflare R2, Minio, Amazon S3 storage, and other S3-compatible storage, and serve them either from storage or cloud, this plugin can also help you in converting all your PNG files to WebP in bulk.
How? Let us show you in just 3 steps.
Step 1: Install and Activate Next3 Offload
First of all, get Next3 Offload from its official website. Install and activate the plugin on your WordPress website. Activate the plugin using the license key.
Step 2: Enable and Use WebP Image Converter
Now, go to Go to Next3 Offload >> Optimization >> WebP Images. Click the toggle button to the right and that’s all. Now, any of the future images you upload to your website or your configured cloud storage will be converted into WebP by default.
Step 3: Compress Your Images If Required.
The image optimization feature of Next3 Offload also lets you compress your images from 25% to up to 85%. You can also set the image width and back up all the original images from Next3 Offload >> Optimization settings.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the essential topics about WebP and PNG, and their differences from the WebP vs PNG section and WebP vs PNG table from this blog. You also know the ways and steps to convert PNG file format to WebP file format both individually and in bulk.
Though both have their pros and cons, they are meant for different purposes. So, choose the right file format for your media files as per your preference and requirement.
If you need further help or have questions regarding WebP vs PNG on your mind, feel free to let us know.
