WebP vs AVIF: Which Is Better in 2026?

Updated June 2026 · 7 min read

Bottom line: AVIF compresses 20-30% better than WebP but has slower encoding and slightly less tool support. For most websites today, WebP is the safer choice. For forward-looking projects, AVIF is worth the extra effort.

The Short Answer

Both formats are massive upgrades over JPEG and PNG. WebP cuts file sizes by 25-35% vs JPEG. AVIF goes further — 50% smaller than JPEG at the same quality. But the best choice depends on your specific situation.

Feature	WebP	AVIF
Compression (vs JPEG)	25-35% smaller	50% smaller
Browser support	97%	93%
Transparency	Yes	Yes
HDR support	No	Yes (12-bit)
Encode speed	Fast	Slow (5-10x slower)
Decode speed	Fast	Moderate

Real-World File Size Comparison

We tested the same photo converted to both formats at visually-lossless quality:

Original JPEG: 1,200 KB
WebP (quality 80): 310 KB (74% reduction)
AVIF (quality 50): 210 KB (82% reduction)

AVIF consistently produces files 20-30% smaller than WebP at equivalent visual quality. For a website with 100 images, switching from JPEG to AVIF could save 80+ MB in total page weight.

Browser Support: The Deciding Factor

As of June 2026, WebP works in 97% of browsers globally. AVIF is at 93%. That 4% gap represents roughly 200 million users — including some enterprise environments and older devices. For most websites, those users still need a JPEG fallback.

If you use AVIF, always provide a JPEG or WebP fallback with the <picture> element.

When to Choose WebP

You need fast encoding for user-uploaded content
Your audience includes older browsers or devices
You want the simplest setup with no fallback needed
You're converting images for general sharing or email

When to Choose AVIF

You're building a photography portfolio or image-heavy site
You need HDR image support
Storage or bandwidth costs are critical
Your audience uses modern browsers (2024+)

How to Convert to Either Format

Need to convert your existing images? WebP2PNG lets you convert between WebP, PNG, JPG, and other formats instantly in your browser. No upload, no software install. For AVIF encoding, tools like Squoosh or ImageMagick offer command-line and GUI options.