HEIC vs. JPG: Which Image Format is Better? (2026 Comparison)
Updated: January 2026
The short answer: HEIC is technically superior for storage (smaller files, better quality), but JPG is superior for compatibility (it opens on everything).
If you own an iPhone, you are unknowingly in the middle of a format war. On one side is Apple, pushing the modern HEIC format. On the other side is the rest of the internet, which still speaks JPG.
In this guide, we break down the differences, explain why your photos look weird on Windows, and help you decide which format to use.
HEIC
(High Efficiency Image Container)
The modern challenger. Used by Apple devices since iOS 11.
- ✅ Half the file size of JPG.
- ✅ Supports transparency.
- ❌ Won’t open on most Windows PCs.
JPG
(Joint Photographic Experts Group)
The universal standard. Used by the internet since 1992.
- ✅ Opens on ANY device.
- ✅ Accepted by all websites.
- ❌ Larger file sizes.
Round 1: Storage Space (Winner: HEIC)
This is the main reason Apple switched. An HEIC photo takes up about 50% less space than the same photo saved as a JPG, without losing any quality.
If you have a 64GB iPhone, using HEIC means you can store twice as many photos of your vacation or your kids. This is fantastic for your phone, but terrible for sharing.
Round 2: Compatibility (Winner: JPG)
This is where HEIC fails. If you try to upload an HEIC file to a website, email it to a PC user, or use it for a passport application, it will likely be rejected.
Real World Example: If you are applying for a job or a government license, their systems are often old. They simply cannot read the new Apple format. (See our guide on Why Government Sites Reject iPhone Photos).
Windows users also struggle with this. Unless you install special software, Windows 10 and 11 cannot open these files natively. (Read our guide on Opening HEIC on Windows here).
The Final Verdict: Which Should You Use?
You don’t actually have to choose just one. The best strategy is to use both, but for different things:
1. Use HEIC for Taking Photos:
Keep your iPhone camera settings on “High Efficiency.” This saves massive amounts of space on your device.
2. Use JPG for Sharing Photos:
The moment that photo needs to leave your phone—whether you are emailing it, uploading it, or sending it to a friend with an Android—you should convert it to JPG.
How to Switch Between Them
You don’t need expensive software like Photoshop to bridge this gap. You just need a converter that respects your privacy.
Use our free HEIC to JPG Converter. It allows you to keep the storage benefits of HEIC on your phone, but instantly create a JPG copy whenever you need to share a file.
Best of all, it happens on your device, so you never have to upload your memories to the cloud.
Common Questions
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
Technically, yes, because JPG is a “lossy” format. However, at high quality settings (like the ones our tool uses), the difference is invisible to the human eye. You would need to zoom in 400% to see any difference.
Is HEIC the same as HEIF?
Yes, they are essentially the same thing. HEIF is the file format standard, and HEIC is the specific file extension Apple chose to use. If you see a file ending in .heif, our tool can convert that too.