WebP vs JPG vs PNG: Which Image Format Should You Use in 2025?

Choosing the right image format is one of the simplest ways to speed up your website. But with so many options—JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF—it can be confusing.

In this guide, we'll compare the three most popular formats to help you make the right choice every time.

1. JPG (JPEG) - The Old Reliable

Best For: Photographs, complex images with many colors.

JPG has been the standard for decades. It uses "lossy" compression, meaning it throws away some data to make files smaller.

✅ Pros:

• • Universal support (works on every device ever made)
• • Small file sizes for photos
• • Adjustable quality

❌ Cons:

• • No transparency support
• • Artifacts (blockiness) at low quality
• • No animation support

When to use: Standard blog photos, e-commerce product shots, background images.

2. PNG - The Quality King

Best For: Logos, icons, screenshots, images with text, transparent backgrounds.

PNG uses "lossless" compression. It keeps every single pixel perfect, which makes it great for sharp lines and text.

✅ Pros:

• • Supports transparency (crucial for logos)
• • Crisp quality (no blurry artifacts)
• • Great for text and flat colors

❌ Cons:

• • Huge file sizes for photographs
• • Not suitable for complex images

When to use: Your website logo, app screenshots, icons, graphics with transparent backgrounds.

3. WebP - The Modern Standard

Best For: Almost everything on the web.

Developed by Google, WebP is a modern format designed specifically for the web. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, plus transparency and animation.

✅ Pros:

• • 25-35% smaller than JPG and PNG for the same quality
• • Supports transparency (like PNG)
• • Supports animation (like GIF)
• • Supported by all modern browsers

❌ Cons:

• • Not supported by very old browsers (Internet Explorer)
• • Some older desktop software can't open it

When to use: All images on your website, unless you need to support ancient browsers.

The Verdict: Which One Wins?

| Feature | JPG | PNG | WebP |
|---------|-----|-----|------|
| File Size | Small | Large | Smallest |
| Quality | Good | Best | Great |
| Transparency | No | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | No | No | Yes |
| Compatibility | 100% | 100% | 96% |

Our Recommendation

1. Use WebP for everything on your website. It offers the best balance of size and quality.
2. Keep a JPG fallback if you have significant traffic from very old devices (rare in 2025).
3. Use PNG only for high-quality assets where file size doesn't matter (like brand assets for print).

How to Convert Your Images

You don't need expensive software to switch formats.

1. Go to xpacto Image Converter
2. Upload your JPGs or PNGs
3. Select "Convert to WebP"
4. Download your optimized images

It's that simple. Switching to WebP is one of the highest-ROI actions you can take for your site's SEO and speed.