HEIC vs PNG: What's the Difference
People often compare HEIC and PNG as if they were rivals, but they aren't in the same category: one exists to store photos in half the space, the other to reproduce graphics pixel-perfectly. This page covers the underlying differences, each format's strengths, and how to choose for photos vs design assets.
Different goals: lossy photos vs lossless graphics
HEIC uses lossy HEVC compression, designed for continuous-tone photos: it trades a few imperceptible details for roughly half the file size. PNG uses lossless compression (DEFLATE): not a single pixel changes, but it only compresses well on flat colors and regular graphics.
The same iPhone photo can be 1.5 MB as HEIC but 15 MB as PNG — the gap is about design goals, not quality.
Transparency and graphics support
PNG supports a full alpha channel and is the de facto standard for logos, icons, stickers and UI assets. HEIC can technically store transparency and multiple images too, but ecosystem support is so poor that nobody uses it that way.
Simple rule: if an image needs transparency or pixel-exact reproduction, it belongs in PNG.
Compatibility today
JPG and PNG open everywhere, on any device and in any software. HEIC lives comfortably inside the Apple ecosystem: Windows needs a codec extension, and many web forms and print devices reject it outright — which is exactly why this site exists.
How to choose
- Sharing, uploading, printing photos — convert to JPG: small and accepted everywhere.
- Lossless archives or transparent assets — PNG keeps every detail and the alpha channel.
- Saving space on the device itself — keep HEIC; inside the iPhone photo library the experience is identical.
When you need to convert HEIC to PNG or JPG, both directions are available on this site, processed entirely locally.