WebP vs PNG: The Ultimate Comparison Guide for 2025

In today’s digital-first world, choosing the right image format is crucial for website performance, user experience, and SEO success. As web design and optimisation experts, we understand that even small changes to image formats can dramatically impact loading speed, visual quality, and overall website ranking. In this comprehensive guide, we compare **WebP vs PNG** to help you determine the **best image format for your website in 2025**.

What Is PNG?

PNG (Portable Network Graphics)** is a widely used raster image format known for **lossless compression**, meaning it retains image quality without introducing compression artefacts. PNG supports **transparent backgrounds**, making it a popular choice for logos, icons, product images, and graphics requiring sharp detail.

What Is WebP?

**WebP**, developed by Google, is a modern image format designed to deliver **smaller file sizes** with both lossy and lossless compression**. It also supports **transparency (alpha channel)** and **animation**, making it an advanced and flexible option for websites that value speed and high performance.

1. Compression Efficiency

When it comes to compression, **WebP outperforms PNG**.

* **WebP (Lossless):** Produces images **25%–34% smaller** than PNG while maintaining identical quality.

* **PNG:** Maintains quality perfectly but usually results in much **larger file sizes**.

This size difference significantly impacts website loading speed, especially on mobile devices.

2. Image Quality

* **PNG** offers **perfect lossless quality**, ideal for technical graphics.

* **WebP** delivers both **lossless and lossy** quality options, providing flexibility depending on your optimisation needs.

With modern browsers, WebP’s visual quality is nearly indistinguishable from PNG while keeping file sizes significantly smaller.

3. Transparency Support

Both formats support **transparent backgrounds**, but WebP supports this with **much smaller file sizes**. For websites with PNG-based logos or icons, switching to WebP can drastically improve performance.

4. Browser Compatibility

* Chrome

* Firefox

* Safari

* Edge

* Opera

* Brave

PNG, being older, is universally supported across all devices and browsers.

5. File Size Comparison (Practical Example)**

| **Image Type** | **PNG Size** | **WebP Size** |

| ---------------- | ------------ | ------------- |

| Transparent Logo | 120 KB | 40 KB |

| Illustration | 250 KB | 90 KB |

| UI Icon | 35 KB | 8 KB |

6. Animation Support

PNG does **not support animation**, while WebP does.

This makes WebP ideal for lightweight animated graphics and replacing older formats like GIF.

### **7. SEO Impact**

Fast-loading websites rank better. Since WebP images reduce load time drastically, they offer a **clear SEO advantage** over PNG.

Google’s Core Web Vitals value speed, responsiveness, and visual stability — all supported with WebP's superior optimisation.

WebP is the best choice for:

* **Websites prioritising loading speed**

* **Blogs, portfolios, and eCommerce** needing fast image delivery

* **Icons, banners, product images**, and UI graphics

* **Animated images** replacing GIFs

* **Mobile-first websites** where every KB matters

If your goal is fast performance and higher SEO ranking, WebP is the smarter option.

PNG remains ideal for:

* **Technical diagrams** requiring pixel-perfect clarity

* **Images containing text**, where compression may distort edges

* **Design tasks requiring layered, lossless files**

* **Situations where compatibility with older systems is necessary**

While WebP is superior for web delivery, PNG still plays a role in graphics production and niche use cases.

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WebP vs PNG: Detailed Feature Comparison Table

| Feature | WebP | PNG |

| ------------------------ | ----------------------------- | --------------------------- |

| **Compression Type** | Lossy + Lossless | Lossless only |

| **Average File Size** | Much smaller | Larger |

| **Transparency (Alpha)** | Yes | Yes |

| **Animation** | Yes | No |

| **Browser Support** | Very high (2025) | Universal |

| **Best For** | Web optimisation, performance | Graphics, precision visuals |

| **SEO Advantage** | Strong | Moderate |

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As Google prioritises speed and efficiency in ranking results, using WebP provides a powerful advantage. It helps lower:

* Page load times

* Bandwidth usage

* Storage needs

Additionally, WebP maintains high visual quality and transparency support, making it a strong alternative to PNG in almost all website scenarios.

Modern content delivery networks (CDNs) and CMS platforms like **WordPress**, **Shopify**, and **Wix** now recommend WebP by default.

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There are several ways to convert PNG to WebP:

1. Online Converters

* Simple drag-and-drop tools

* Instant conversion

* Ideal for beginners

2. Photoshop or Editing Software

* Plugins allow WebP export

* Perfect for designers

3. WordPress Plugins

* Automatically convert and serve WebP versions

* Examples: ShortPixel, Imagify, Smush

4. Command-Line Tools

For advanced users:

```

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This offers total control over compression quality.

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1. Faster Page Speed

WebP reduces image sizes by up to **80%**, improving loading speed dramatically.

2. Better Mobile Experience

Mobile users benefit the most from smaller, optimised images.

3. Higher Google Ranking

WebP enhances Core Web Vitals:

* **Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)**

* **First Input Delay (FID)**

* **Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)**

4. Improved User Engagement

Faster websites reduce bounce rates and increase conversions — crucial for eCommerce and landing pages.

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For most websites, **WebP is the superior choice** due to its outstanding compression, speed benefits, and broad browser support. PNG still has value in certain high-precision graphic cases but falls short for web performance.

If you aim to **boost SEO, speed, and overall user experience**, WebP is the format that delivers results.

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