Is AVIF always better than WebP?

Usually for file size, especially on photos, but AVIF encodes more slowly and is slightly newer. WebP remains an excellent, well-supported default.

Should I stop using JPEG entirely?

Not necessarily. JPEG is still useful for maximum compatibility, but WebP or AVIF will give you smaller files on modern browsers.

WebP vs JPEG vs AVIF: which should you use?

Choosing an image format used to be simple: JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics. Today WebP and AVIF offer much smaller files, but with trade-offs. This article compares the three so you can decide.

JPEG: the universal baseline

JPEG has near-universal support and is great for photographs. Its weakness is efficiency: it produces larger files than newer formats at the same quality, and it does not support transparency.

WebP: the modern default

WebP typically produces files 25 to 35 percent smaller than JPEG at similar quality, supports transparency like PNG, and is supported by every modern browser. For most websites, WebP is the best all-round choice today.

AVIF: the smallest files

AVIF, based on the AV1 codec, often beats WebP by another 20 to 50 percent, especially on photographic images. It also handles wide color and high dynamic range well. The trade-offs are slower encoding and slightly less mature support, though all major browsers now handle it.

Quick comparison

Smallest files: AVIF, then WebP, then JPEG.
Best compatibility: JPEG, then WebP, then AVIF.
Transparency: WebP and AVIF yes, JPEG no.
Encoding speed: JPEG and WebP are fast, AVIF is slower.

A practical recommendation

For most sites, serve WebP as your default and consider AVIF for your largest, most important images where the extra savings matter. Keep a JPEG or WebP fallback only if you must support very old browsers. You can convert between all of these formats in CompressEasy without uploading your files.