Need more tools?
Bring your creative ideas to life with Movavi Video Converter – the all-in-one program.
If you need to reduce photo file size, try Movavi Video Converter
Image format compression comparison
Format
Compression type
Lossless compression (approx.)
Lossy compression (approx.)
Notes
JPEG/JPG
Lossy only
No native lossless mode
~60-90% reduction vs. BMP (~8–12×)
Standard for photos; noticeable artifacts at strong compression
PNG
Lossless
~10-70% smaller than BMP (avg. ~40%)
No native lossy mode
Ideal for UI, graphics, screenshots
GIF
Palette-based (256 colors)
~20-90% depending on palette complexity
Not a classical lossy codec (quality depends on palette reduction)
Effective for simple animations; unsuitable for photos
BMP
Uncompressed
No built-in compression
Not applicable
Raw pixel storage; extremely large file size
TIFF/TIF
Lossless + optional lossy (via JPEG)
Very dependent on codec; ~0-70% possible
Lossy possible when JPEG is embedded
Professional archive container with strong metadata support
WebP (lossless)
Lossless
~20-35% smaller than PNG
Lossy is a separate WebP variant
Great for web graphics/UI assets
WebP (lossy)
Lossy
Lossless mode separate
~25-35% smaller than JPEG at similar quality
Good web compromise: quality vs. size
AVIF (lossless)
Lossless
~30-45% smaller than PNG (varies by content)
Lossy available separately
Efficient for archived assets, modern web delivery
AVIF (lossy)
Lossy
Lossless mode separate
~30-50% smaller than JPEG/WebP at equal perceptual quality
Higher efficiency and slower encoding in some cases
HEIC/HEIF
Primarily lossy (HEVC-based)
Lossless possible but not mainstream
~40-60% smaller than JPEG at similar quality
Widely used in Apple ecosystem; strong compression
JPEG 2000
Lossy + lossless
~20-35% smaller than PNG in lossless mode
~20-30% better than JPEG
Better quality at same size vs JPEG; adoption limited
JPEG-LS
Lossless only
~25-40% better compression than PNG
No lossy mode
One of the most efficient lossless codecs
QOI
Lossless
~10-30% better than PNG (fast encoding)
Lossy unavailable
Simple modern lossless format; optimized for speed
JPEG XL (lossless)
Hybrid – supports both
~30-60% smaller than PNG/JPEG-LS
Lossy supported separately
Extremely strong archival, web potential
JPEG XL (lossy)
Hybrid – supports both
Lossless mode handled separately
Often outperforms AVIF at high-quality settings
Future-proof format; browser support still limited
Goal
Best formats
Maximum lossless compression
JPEG-LS, JPEG XL, AVIF-lossless
Minimum size with high perceived quality
AVIF-lossy, HEIC, JPEG XL-lossy
Best for graphics/UI
PNG, WebP (lossless), QOI
Standard fallback
JPEG (speed & compatibility)
Comparative study – JPEG-LS vs. PNG vs. QOI vs. JPEG2000 (lossless)
Advanced modern formats overview (AVIF, HEIC, JPEG XL)
Modern format comparison – AVIF vs. WebP vs. JPEG XL
Image compression benchmark (many codecs tested)
WebP official documentation
AVIF technical overview
JPEG XL technical details
JPEG-LS overview (ITU standard)
JPEG2000 documentation
Rotate
Resize
Combine
Remove objects
Fix blurry photos
Convert images
Convert WebP to JPG
Convert HEIC to JPG
Convert WebP to PNG
In simple terms, compression makes an image file smaller. The image still looks the same to the eye, but the file behind it carries less digital “baggage.” Sometimes the data is packaged more efficiently; sometimes a bit of visual detail is dropped – usually the kind you’d never notice unless you zoom in close. The result is a familiar photo that opens faster, uploads quicker, and doesn’t eat up storage for no good reason.
Mostly when the size of a file starts getting in the way. Maybe you’re trying to upload photos to a website and the page crawls. A client wants 200 images and your email politely refuses to attach them. Or your phone flashes “Storage full” yet again. In moments like these, shrinking image files is the easiest way to keep everything moving smoothly.
Generally, yes. Your pictures are processed only to reduce the file size – not to identify faces, read text, or analyze content. Files stay on your device unless you choose to upload them and, if you do, the transfer uses secure protocols. You decide what goes in and what comes out. Nothing is shared, stored, or reused behind the scenes.
Picture a folder of vacation shots – hundreds of megabytes, maybe more. Now imagine the same folder five times smaller, yet with the files looking almost identical during normal viewing. Uploading and backups take less time, browsing feels snappier, and websites with smaller assets load noticeably faster (something search engines appreciate it, too). Done carefully, compression barely changes what you see – just how large the file is.
Quite a few. JPEG/JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF are the classics. Newer formats like WebP, AVIF, HEIC/HEIF, JPEG XL, and JPEG 2000 are supported as well – useful if you work with modern cameras or web assets. You can compress a single image file or a whole batch at once, which saves a lot of time when exporting large datasets.
Movavi applies several optimization techniques “under the hood” – sometimes lossless, sometimes lossy, depending on your settings. It adjusts bitrate, re-encodes textures, and cuts redundant data while aiming to keep the image visually intact. Results vary, but reductions of between 20% and 80% are common. For everyday tasks – websites, sharing, cloud storage – the image usually remains looking clean and natural.
Lossless compression is like vacuum-packing clothes: nothing gets thrown away, just folded tighter. When decompressed, the image returns to its original state pixel-for-pixel.
Lossy compression goes further – it discards a small amount of visual data to achieve even smaller files. You can’t fully restore it later, but in most cases the change is too minor to notice. People tend to use lossless for editing or archiving, and lossy for large photo sets where file size matters more.
AVIF, WebP (especially in lossless mode), HEIC, JPEG-XL, and JPEG-LS all perform extremely well. Many users notice that AVIF and JPEG-XL keep photos crisp while reducing file size dramatically. If you need perfect, bit-for-bit preservation, JPEG-LS or lossless JPEG-XL is a good choice, as long as your software supports those formats.
For most sites, WebP or AVIF hits the sweet spot – smaller files, fast loading, and solid visual quality. A lossy setting around 60–80% usually works well for photos. Logos, UI icons, and illustrations tend to look best in PNG or lossless WebP to avoid pixelation or edge artifacts. It’s worth testing a couple of levels on your actual page – even shaving off 10–20% more can noticeably improve speed.
Need more tools?
Bring your creative ideas to life with Movavi Video Converter – the all-in-one program.
1.5M+ users already subscribed to our newsletter