AVIF and WebP are both modern image formats that beat JPEG on file size, and you have probably seen both on the web. So which should you actually use? Here is a plain-language comparison for photos, graphics and websites.
The short answer
For most photos, AVIF gives the smallest files at a given quality and looks better on detailed or high-dynamic-range images. WebP is older, encodes faster, and is supported in a few more places. If you want maximum compression and quality, choose AVIF; if you want speed and the widest reach, WebP is a safe pick.
File size and quality
AVIF is based on the AV1 codec and is very efficient: it often saves 20 to 50 percent over WebP at similar quality, and it handles gradients and noise without the blocky look JPEG can produce. WebP still beats JPEG comfortably but does not match AVIF on the hardest images.
Features compared
| Feature | AVIF | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| Best file size | Yes | Good |
| Transparency (alpha) | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | Yes | Yes |
| HDR / wide gamut / 10-bit | Yes | No |
| Encode speed | Slower | Faster |
| Year introduced | 2019 | 2010 |
Browser and app support
Both formats work in all current major browsers. WebP has the longer track record and is supported almost everywhere, including older software. AVIF support is now nearly universal in browsers too, though a handful of desktop apps still lag behind, which is why you sometimes get an .avif file you cannot open. On Windows, you can view either format instantly in HawkView, with no codec packs.
Which should you choose?
- Websites where size matters most: AVIF, with a WebP or JPEG fallback for old clients.
- Fast bulk conversion or the broadest compatibility: WebP.
- Photos with HDR or fine detail: AVIF.
- You just need to open one you were sent: any viewer with native support; see how to open AVIF files.
The bottom line
AVIF wins on size and quality, WebP wins on speed and slightly wider support. Both are excellent; pick AVIF when efficiency matters and WebP when you want the safest, fastest option. Curious about the next format on the horizon? Read how to open JPEG XL files.
