Comparisons
JPG vs PNG vs WebP vs HEIC: Which Image Format Should You Use?
A clear comparison of the four most common photo formats — compression, quality, transparency, compatibility and the best use for each.
· 2 min read
Private by design · Works in your browser
Convert HEIC images quickly and securely.
Turn iPhone photos into JPG, PNG or WebP in seconds. Files are converted on your device — nothing is uploaded, and there is no sign-up.
Converted on your device. Your photos never leave this browser.
- Your photos stay private
- Fast conversion
- No registration required
Popular HEIC tools
- HEIC to JPGThe most compatible format for sharing
- HEIC to PNGLossless images with transparency support
- HEIC to WebPSmall, sharp images for websites
- HEIC ConverterConvert HEIC to JPG, PNG or WebP in one place
- HEIC CompressorShrink iPhone photos for email and upload
- HEIC ViewerOpen HEIC photos and check their details
How it works
- 1
Add your photos
Drop HEIC files or pick them from your phone, computer or cloud folder.
- 2
Choose a format
Pick JPG for compatibility, PNG for lossless quality or WebP for the web.
- 3
Download
Save files one by one, or everything at once as a ZIP archive.
Built to be trusted with your photos
Your photos stay private
HEIC conversion happens inside your browser. Your images are not uploaded to any server.
Fast conversion
The decoder runs directly on your device with WebAssembly, so most photos convert in a second or two — no upload queue.
No registration required
No account, no email address, no watermark. Open the page and convert.
Built for modern devices
Works on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux in any up-to-date browser.
Quality you control
Choose the quality level, keep or remove metadata, and keep accurate colours.
Batch friendly
Convert dozens of photos at once and download them together as a ZIP file.
Supported formats
Input
HEICHEIFHIF
Output
Convert HEIC images online, without uploading them
HEIC.IS converts HEIC and HEIF photos directly in your web browser. The decoder is compiled to WebAssembly and runs on your own device, so your pictures are never sent to a server. That makes it fast — there is no upload queue — and it means your private photos stay private.
Drop one photo or a whole folder's worth, choose JPG, PNG or WebP, and download the results one by one or together as a ZIP file. Quality, size and photo metadata are under your control.
Why does your iPhone use HEIC?
Since iOS 11, iPhones save photos in the High Efficiency Image Container format by default. HEIC stores images compressed with HEVC (H.265), which typically produces files about half the size of a comparable JPEG. It also supports features JPEG cannot, such as 16-bit colour, transparency, depth maps and multiple images in a single file.
The downside is compatibility. Many Windows programs, older Android apps, websites, printing services and online forms still don't accept HEIC files. Converting to JPG is the simplest way to make a photo open everywhere.
You can also stop your iPhone from creating HEIC files: go to Settings → Camera → Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG. Photos you already took stay in HEIC. Read the full guide.
HEIC vs JPG at a glance
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical file size | Smaller (often around half) | Larger |
| Compatibility | Apple devices, some newer software | Practically universal |
| Transparency | Supported | Not supported |
| Colour depth | Up to 16 bits per channel | 8 bits per channel |
| Best for | Storing photos on Apple devices | Sharing, uploading, printing |
Want the details? See our comparison of HEIC vs JPG.
How HEIC conversion works
- Your browser reads the file locally. Nothing is transmitted.
- The HEIC decoder (libheif) reconstructs the image, including tiled images, rotation and colour profile.
- The image is encoded to your chosen format at the quality you selected. If your browser can't create a format natively, a WebAssembly encoder takes over automatically.
- Metadata is written back — date, camera details and, if you want, location — with the orientation corrected so the photo never appears sideways.
The only conversions that need a server are those that create HEIC files (JPG to HEIC and similar), because browsers can't encode HEIC yet. Those files are processed in memory and deleted immediately.
Supported devices
HEIC.IS works in current versions of Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox on iPhone, iPad, Android, macOS, Windows, ChromeOS and Linux. On iPhone you can pick photos straight from your library; converted images can be saved back to Photos with the share button.
Very large photos (such as 48-megapixel images from recent iPhone Pro models) use more memory. If a phone runs out of memory, convert fewer files at a time or reduce the output size.
Frequently asked questions
What is a HEIC file?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the photo format iPhones and iPads use by default since iOS 11. It stores images compressed with HEVC, which usually makes files about half the size of a comparable JPG. Learn more about HEIC.
Is HEIC.IS free to use?
Yes. All tools are free, without registration, watermarks or daily limits beyond the file limits shown on the converter.
Are my photos uploaded to a server?
No. Converting HEIC to JPG, PNG or WebP, compressing and viewing all happen inside your browser, on your device. Your photos never leave it.
Is photo metadata (Exif) kept?
Yes, by default the date, camera details and other Exif data are copied into the converted file, with orientation corrected. In Options you can remove only the GPS location or remove all metadata.
Will converting HEIC reduce photo quality?
JPG and WebP are lossy, so the image is re-encoded. With the default High quality the difference is not visible at normal viewing sizes. PNG is lossless if you need an exact copy of the decoded image.
How do I stop my iPhone from saving photos as HEIC?
Open Settings → Camera → Formats and choose “Most Compatible”. New photos will be saved as JPG. To convert automatically when copying photos to a computer, set Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC to “Automatic”.
Latest guides
Image formats
The Best Image Formats for Websites
WebP, AVIF, JPG, PNG, SVG — and why HEIC doesn't belong on the web. A practical guide to choosing image formats for fast, good-looking websites.
· 2 min read
Guides
How to Convert HEIC Files Offline
Need to convert HEIC photos without an internet connection — or without sending them anywhere? Here are offline methods for Mac, Windows and Linux, and how our browser converter fits in.
· 1 min read