PNG vs AVIF
Technical analysis 2026: differences, performance and which one you should use for your project.
Quick Verdict
"AVIF offers the most advanced compression technology, ideal if you can serve alternative formats for older browsers."
PNG
Designed to replace GIF, it is the king of lossless compression and transparency. Ideal for graphics, logos and screenshots.
Best for:
- Logos
- Graphics with text
- Images with transparent background
- Screenshots
AVIF
The format of the future. Based on the AV1 video codec, it offers the best compression on the market today, surpassing even WebP, with HDR support.
Best for:
- Extreme optimization
- HDR Images
- Next-Gen Web
Detailed Analysis
When comparing PNG (Portable Network Graphics) with AVIF (AV1 Image File Format), it is important to understand the historical and technical context. PNG was established in 1996, while AVIF appeared in 2019.
The main technical difference lies in their compression algorithm. PNG uses lossless compression: it keeps all the original data with no quality loss. AVIF, on the other hand, uses hybrid (both lossy and lossless) compression: you can choose between maximum quality or maximum savings depending on the settings.
Compatibility
PNG
100% (Universal)
AVIF
85% (Growing)
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