HEIC vs JPG: Differences, Pros & Cons
HEIC vs JPG: Which Format Is Better?
If you use an iPhone, you've probably noticed that your photos are saved as .heic files instead of .jpg. But what exactly are the differences, and when should you use which format? Let's break it down.
File Size Comparison
One of the biggest advantages of HEIC is its superior compression:
| Aspect | HEIC | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Average photo size | ~1.5 MB | ~3 MB |
| Compression efficiency | Excellent | Good |
| Storage savings | 40-50% less | Baseline |
This means you can store roughly twice as many photos on your iPhone when using HEIC compared to JPG.
Image Quality
HEIC uses a more modern compression algorithm (HEVC/H.265) compared to JPG's older JPEG compression:
- At the same file size: HEIC looks noticeably better, with fewer compression artifacts (blocky patterns, color banding)
- At the same quality: HEIC produces much smaller files
- Color depth: HEIC supports 16-bit color vs JPG's 8-bit, meaning smoother gradients and more accurate colors
Compatibility
This is where JPG has a clear advantage:
- JPG: Works everywhere – every device, browser, application, and platform supports JPG
- HEIC: Supported on Apple devices, newer Windows 10/11, and some Android devices, but many older systems and web applications don't support it
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HEIC | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Animation | Yes | No |
| Multiple images in one file | Yes | No |
| 16-bit color | Yes | No |
| EXIF metadata | Yes | Yes |
| Editing without quality loss | Partial | No |
| Universal support | No | Yes |
When to Use HEIC
HEIC is the better choice when:
- Storing photos on your iPhone or iPad (saves storage space)
- Sharing between Apple devices (AirDrop handles HEIC natively)
- You want the best quality at the smallest file size
- Working with Live Photos or burst shots
When to Use JPG
Convert to JPG when:
- Sharing photos with Windows or Android users
- Uploading to websites or social media that don't support HEIC
- Sending photos via email
- Printing photos at a photo lab
- Using images in documents or presentations
How to Convert Between Formats
Need to convert your HEIC files to JPG? Our free HEIC2PIC makes it easy. It runs entirely in your browser, so your photos stay private – no uploads to any server required.
The Bottom Line
HEIC is technically superior to JPG in almost every way. The only reason to convert to JPG is compatibility. As HEIC support becomes more widespread, this will become less of an issue. For now, keep shooting in HEIC on your iPhone and convert to JPG only when needed.