HEIC vs JPG — Which Format Is Better?
HEIC saves storage space. JPG works everywhere. Here's the complete comparison to help you decide which format to use — and when to convert.
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The Short Answer
HEIC is technically superior to JPG — it produces files roughly half the size with equal or better visual quality. But JPG is universally compatible, while HEIC is not. Use HEIC for storage on your iPhone. Convert to JPG when you need to share, upload, or use photos outside Apple's ecosystem.
HEIC vs JPG — Detailed Comparison
| Feature | HEIC | JPG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| File size (same quality) | ~2.5 MB per photo | ~5 MB per photo | HEIC (50% smaller) |
| Visual quality | Excellent — fewer artifacts | Good — visible artifacts at high compression | HEIC |
| Compatibility | Apple devices, some Windows/Android | Everything — every device, app, and website | JPG |
| Color depth | Up to 16-bit per channel | 8-bit per channel | HEIC |
| Transparency support | Yes (alpha channel) | No | HEIC |
| Live Photos / sequences | Yes — stores video + still | No | HEIC |
| Depth map data | Yes — enables Portrait Mode | No | HEIC |
| Edit without quality loss | Stores edits non-destructively | Each save recompresses | HEIC |
| Web browser support | Safari only (native) | All browsers | JPG |
| Email compatibility | Limited — may show as blank | Universal | JPG |
| Social media upload | Auto-converted by most platforms | Accepted everywhere | JPG |
| Print services | Rarely accepted directly | Universally accepted | JPG |
| Photo editing software | Growing support | Universal support | JPG |
| Storage per 1,000 photos | ~2.5 GB | ~5 GB | HEIC |
When to Use HEIC vs JPG
Keep HEIC When...
You're storing photos on your iPhone or iPad and want to maximize storage space. HEIC's 50% size reduction means roughly twice as many photos in the same storage. Also keep HEIC if you use iCloud Photo Library, since Apple handles format conversion automatically when sharing to non-Apple devices. And if you shoot in Portrait Mode, keeping HEIC preserves the depth data that enables background blur editing.
Convert to JPG When...
You need to share photos via email with people who may not have Apple devices. When uploading to websites, forms, or portals that don't explicitly list HEIC as an accepted format. When sending photos to a print service, framing shop, or photo book creator. When importing into software like older versions of Photoshop, Lightroom, or web-based editors that don't support HEIC. And when posting to platforms where you want to control the exact file and quality being uploaded.
Visual Quality — Can You See the Difference?
In blind tests, most people cannot distinguish between a HEIC photo and the same photo saved as high-quality JPG (90%+). Both formats produce excellent results for everyday photography.
Where HEIC pulls ahead is in challenging scenes: smooth gradients (like sunset skies) show fewer banding artifacts in HEIC, and areas with fine detail (like hair or fabric texture) maintain slightly more definition at the same file size.
The practical difference matters most at aggressive compression levels. A HEIC file at 50% of its original size looks significantly better than a JPG at 50% of its original size. But at normal quality settings (85-95%), both formats produce photos that look identical on screen and in print.
If you're converting HEIC to JPG at quality 90% or higher, you will not see any meaningful quality difference. The conversion is effectively transparent for all practical purposes.
Storage Impact — How Much Space Do You Save?
The storage difference is significant and scales with your photo library. A typical iPhone photo at 12 megapixels is roughly 2-3 MB in HEIC and 4-6 MB in JPG. Over thousands of photos, this adds up quickly.
For a library of 10,000 photos: HEIC storage is approximately 25 GB, while the same photos in JPG would take roughly 50 GB. On a 128 GB iPhone, that's the difference between running out of space and having room for years of photos.
If you switch your iPhone to save as JPG (Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible), expect your photo storage usage to roughly double. For most users, keeping HEIC and converting when needed is the more practical approach.
The Future — Will HEIC Replace JPG?
HEIC is unlikely to fully replace JPG in the foreseeable future. JPG's universal compatibility is its greatest asset — it works in every application, on every device, and on every platform. This entrenched ecosystem is extremely difficult to displace.
What's more likely is a multi-format world where HEIC coexists with JPG, AVIF, and WebP. Devices and platforms will increasingly handle format conversion transparently in the background, so users won't need to think about formats as much.
For now, the practical reality is that you'll keep encountering HEIC files from iPhones and needing to convert them to JPG for broader compatibility. This will remain the case for at least the next several years.