PNG or JPG: which should you pick?
Both open everywhere, but they suit different jobs:
| Feature | PNG | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Detail | Every pixel kept exactly (lossless) | Tiny details removed that you rarely see |
| File size for a photo | Large | Small |
| Photo details (date, camera) | Not kept by this tool | Kept, with location removed by default |
| Best for | Editing, design work, programs that require PNG | Sharing, uploading, storing photos |
If you just want your iPhone photos to open on a Windows PC or in an upload form, use HEIC to JPG instead. New to the format? Read what a HEIC file is.
Why PNG files are much larger
A HEIC photo is compressed very efficiently. PNG can only compress without losing anything, which works well for screenshots and drawings with flat colors but not for photos, where almost every pixel is slightly different. Expect each PNG to be several megabytes. If you need a smaller file later, the image compressor can turn it into a JPG of any size you choose.
When PNG is the right choice
- You will edit the photo in a design or photo app and save it several times. PNG does not lose quality with each save.
- A program, printer service or website asks for PNG.
- You want an exact copy of the decoded picture with nothing removed.
For everything else, JPG is the better choice.