HEIC vs JPG: Which Format Should You Use?
Both formats store photos, but they are built for very different jobs. Here is how to choose — and when to convert.
HEIC is the format modern iPhones use to save photos; it packs excellent quality into small files. JPG (also written JPEG) is the format nearly everything can open. Neither is "better" in every case; the right choice depends on where the image is going. If you just need to convert a file right now, use our free HEIC to JPG converter.
Quick comparison
| Feature | HEIC | JPG |
|---|
| Compression | Excellent — often 50% smaller than JPG at similar quality | Good, but older and less efficient |
| Image quality at small sizes | Very good | Good, but shows artifacts at low quality |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Live photos / image sequences | Yes | No |
| HDR / wide colour | Yes | Limited |
| Browser support | Safari only (recent versions); Chrome, Edge and Firefox cannot open it natively | Everywhere, including very old software |
| App & device support | Mainly Apple devices; Windows and Android often need extra codecs | Universal |
When HEIC is the better choice
- You shoot on an iPhone and want the smallest possible files without visible quality loss.
- You need HDR or wide colour, or you want to keep Live Photos and depth information.
- You stay inside the Apple ecosystem — Photos, AirDrop, iCloud and macOS open HEIC natively.
- Storage matters — smaller files take up less space and upload faster to iCloud.
When JPG is the better choice
- Maximum compatibility — JPG opens in every browser, phone, email client and old photo editor.
- Uploads to services that reject HEIC — many forms, CMSs, chat apps and websites still accept only JPG or PNG.
- Sharing with Windows and Android users, who often cannot open HEIC without extra software.
- Printing and editing in tools that may not decode HEIC.
How to convert HEIC to JPG
- Open the HEIC to JPG converter.
- Drop one or more HEIC files into the box, or click to choose them.
- Pick a JPG quality. Best (92%) is a good default; lower values make smaller files.
- Click Convert to JPG and download each result.
The conversion runs entirely in your browser, so your files are never uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting to JPG lose quality?JPG is a lossy format, so some detail is discarded. At high quality (around 92%) the difference is usually invisible to the eye.
What happens to transparency?JPG does not support transparency. Transparent areas are filled with white when you convert.
Why won't my computer open HEIC files?HEIC uses the HEVC codec, which Windows and many Android apps do not include by default. Converting to JPG makes the photo open everywhere instantly.
Can I convert back from JPG to HEIC?Yes, but you will not recover detail that was lost when the image was first saved as JPG. Always keep your original files.
Is HEIC the same as HEIF?HEIF is the container format; HEIC is HEIF with HEVC compression — what iPhones save by default. This converter handles both.