AVIF vs PNG: Which Format Should You Use?

Last updated: March 13, 2026 6 min read By James Okafor

AVIF vs PNG: File size comparison
Quality comparison: does AVIF look worse than PNG?
When to use AVIF vs PNG
Both formats support transparency — but differently
How to convert between AVIF and PNG free
Frequently Asked Questions

AVIF is dramatically smaller than PNG — typically 70–90% smaller for the same image. But PNG is universally supported while AVIF still has gaps in older software. The right format depends on what you are doing with the image.

Use AVIF for delivering images on websites. Use PNG for editing, printing, and anywhere that requires maximum compatibility or transparency in older applications.

AVIF vs PNG: File size comparison with real examples

Image type	PNG size	AVIF size (lossy)	AVIF size (lossless)	PNG to AVIF savings
Photo (2000x1500px)	8.2MB	380KB	2.1MB	95% (lossy) / 74% (lossless)
Logo (transparent, 800x400)	85KB	18KB	42KB	79% (lossy) / 51% (lossless)
UI screenshot (1920x1080)	1.1MB	95KB	320KB	91% (lossy) / 71% (lossless)
Illustration (flat colors)	420KB	65KB	110KB	85% (lossy) / 74% (lossless)

These numbers explain why websites use AVIF — the bandwidth savings are substantial. But the trade-off is compatibility: not every app can open AVIF, while every image app since 1995 can open PNG.

Quality comparison: does AVIF look worse than PNG?

At reasonable quality settings, AVIF looks identical to PNG in normal viewing. Side-by-side at 100% zoom, most people cannot distinguish between a quality-80 AVIF and its PNG original. The compression artifacts in AVIF (if any) are different in character from JPEG artifacts — they tend to be smoother and less blocky.

AVIF also supports lossless compression (similar to PNG in concept), which produces a file that is visually identical to the source. AVIF lossless files are typically 50-80% smaller than their PNG equivalents — so AVIF lossless gives you smaller files with identical quality.

The catch: software that does not support AVIF cannot display it at any quality level. PNG always wins on compatibility even if AVIF wins on quality-to-file-size ratio.

When to use AVIF — and when to stay with PNG

Use AVIF when:

Delivering images on a website or app where bandwidth matters
Your CMS, CDN, or hosting platform outputs AVIF automatically
You are building for modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari 16+, Edge)
File storage is at a premium and images are view-only (not for editing)

Use PNG when:

Sending images to a client who may use older software
Uploading to print services, which typically require PNG or TIFF
The image needs to be edited — design work, retouching, layer compositing
You need guaranteed compatibility with Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, older Photoshop
The image has transparency that must work in all software contexts
Archiving originals for long-term storage

Transparency support: AVIF vs PNG

Both formats support full transparency via alpha channels. However, there is a practical difference:

PNG transparency is universally recognized. Open any PNG with a transparent background in any image editor, Office application, or design tool — the transparency will work correctly.

AVIF transparency works correctly in modern software (Chrome, Firefox, modern Photoshop, Affinity Photo). But in older apps, even if the software opens the AVIF, transparency handling may not be correct — you might see a black or white background instead of transparency.

For transparent images destined for editing, legacy software compatibility, or delivery to clients with unknown software versions, PNG is the safer format. See our guide on converting AVIF to PNG with transparent background.

How to convert between AVIF and PNG — both directions

Both directions are covered by free browser tools:

AVIF to PNG: Use wildandfreetools.com/converter-tools/avif-to-png/ — lossless conversion, transparency preserved, no upload
PNG to AVIF: Use wildandfreetools.com/converter-tools/png-to-avif/ — compresses PNG to a fraction of its size while maintaining quality

For a broader comparison across all image formats, see AVIF vs WebP vs JPG — which image format should you use? and lossless vs lossy compression explained.

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Open Free AVIF to PNG Converter

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AVIF better than PNG?

Better depends on the use case. AVIF is better for web delivery: much smaller files, excellent quality. PNG is better for editing, printing, and maximum compatibility with older software.

Is AVIF lossless like PNG?

AVIF supports both lossy and lossless encoding. AVIF lossless is typically 50-80% smaller than equivalent PNG files while maintaining identical quality.

Does PNG support transparency better than AVIF?

Not technically — both support full alpha channels. But PNG transparency works in virtually all software while AVIF transparency has compatibility gaps in older applications.

Should I use AVIF or PNG for logos?

Use PNG for logos that need to work in all software contexts. Use AVIF if the logo is displayed on a website and bandwidth matters.

Which is faster to load — AVIF or PNG?

AVIF files are much smaller, so they transfer faster over the network. PNG requires less CPU to decode (simpler algorithm). On modern devices the CPU difference is negligible; the file size difference dominates loading time.

Can I convert PNG to AVIF free?

Yes. WildandFree has a PNG to AVIF converter that runs in your browser — no upload, no signup. It can reduce a PNG by 70-90% in file size.

James Okafor Visual Content Writer

James worked as an in-house graphic designer for six years before moving to content writing. He covers image editing and design tools with a focus on what actually works for non-designers.