PNG vs GIF

Compare PNG and GIF formats to find the best option for your needs.

PNG

Image

Portable Network Graphics - lossless image format

Advantages

  • Lossless quality
  • Supports transparency
  • No quality loss
  • Good for graphics

Disadvantages

  • Larger files
  • Heavy for photos

Best for

  • Logos
  • Screenshots
  • Graphics
  • Icons
Convert to GIF
GIF

Image

Graphics Interchange Format with animation support

Advantages

  • Animation support
  • Wide compatibility
  • Small file size

Disadvantages

  • Limited colors (256)
  • No transparency layers

Best for

  • Animations
  • Simple graphics
  • Social media
Convert to PNG

Side-by-side comparison

Side-by-side comparison
FeaturePNGGIF
CategoryImageImage
File sizeMediumMedium
CompatibilityOpens everywhereOpens everywhere
QualityExcellentFair

Questions and answers

What is the difference between PNG and GIF?
PNG keeps more detail than GIF.
Which format should I choose: PNG or GIF?
It depends on the job. PNG is the better pick for: Logos, Screenshots, and Graphics. GIF is the better pick for: Animations, Simple graphics, and Social media.
Can I convert PNG to GIF?
Yes. Open the PNG to GIF converter, drop the file and download the result.
Is PNG better than GIF?
Not in general. PNG is stronger at: Logos, Screenshots, and Graphics. GIF is stronger at: Animations, Simple graphics, and Social media.

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