HEIC vs JPG: Which Is Better? (2026 Guide)
What is HEIC?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format on iPhones since iOS 11. It uses the same compression technology as HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) and produces files that are roughly 50% smaller than equivalent JPG files with the same visual quality.
What is JPG?
JPG (or JPEG) is the most widely supported image format in the world. Every device, browser, and application can open JPG files. It uses lossy compression, meaning some quality is sacrificed for smaller file sizes.
HEIC vs JPG comparison
| Feature | HEIC | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| File size | ~50% smaller | Larger |
| Quality | Better at same size | Good |
| Compatibility | Limited (Apple, some Android) | Universal |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Burst photos | Yes (multiple images in one file) | No |
| Metadata | Full EXIF support | Full EXIF support |
When to use HEIC
- Storing photos on your iPhone — HEIC saves significant storage space.
- Sharing with other Apple users — They can open HEIC natively.
- Burst mode photos — HEIC can store multiple shots in one file.
When to use JPG
- Sharing with Windows users — Many Windows machines can't open HEIC without installing codecs.
- Uploading to websites — Most websites don't accept HEIC.
- Email attachments — Email clients may not display HEIC inline.
- Printing — Some print services don't support HEIC.
How to convert HEIC to JPG
If you have HEIC photos that need to be shared with non-Apple users or uploaded to a website, convert them to JPG using our free image format converter. It runs entirely in your browser — no uploads, no privacy concerns.
FAQ
Why does my iPhone save photos as HEIC?
Apple switched to HEIC as the default format in iOS 11 because it produces smaller files with better quality than JPG. This saves storage space on your device.
Can I change my iPhone to save JPG instead?
Yes. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and select "Most Compatible." This will save new photos as JPG instead of HEIC. Existing HEIC photos won't be converted.
Can I open HEIC on Windows?
Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC files if you install the "HEIF Image Extensions" from the Microsoft Store (free). Without it, you'll need to convert to JPG first.
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
Some quality loss occurs during conversion, but it's typically imperceptible. The file size will increase by roughly 50-100%.