PNG vs SVG
Which image format should you choose?
PNG wins on lossless — no quality loss when re-saved. SVG wins on scales to any resolution without quality loss. For most general use, pick whichever is more compatible with your existing tools — file size and quality differences are usually small at the same encoding settings.
When to use PNG
Choose PNG when you need logos and graphics with transparency or screenshots and ui mockups. Its strengths: lossless — no quality loss when re-saved, and full alpha transparency.
Pros
- + Lossless — no quality loss when re-saved
- + Full alpha transparency
- + Universal browser and software support
Cons
- − Much larger files than JPG for photos
- − No animation (use APNG or GIF)
- − Outperformed by WebP and AVIF on the modern web
When to use SVG
Choose SVG when you need icons, logos and ui illustrations on the web or rasterizing vector art into png for favicons or social cards. Its strengths: scales to any resolution without quality loss, and tiny file sizes for icons and simple graphics.
Pros
- + Scales to any resolution without quality loss
- + Tiny file sizes for icons and simple graphics
- + Editable as text, styleable with CSS
Cons
- − Not a bitmap — must be rasterized to use in non-web contexts
- − Not suited for photographs
- − Rendering can vary slightly between engines
Side-by-side
| Aspect | PNG | SVG |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Network Graphics | Scalable Vector Graphics |
| Extension | .png | .svg |
| MIME type | image/png | image/svg+xml |
| Compression | Lossless | Compressed |
| File size | Large | Medium▲ |
| Compatibility | Universal▲ | Wide |
| Open source | Yes | No / partial |
| Best for | Logos and graphics with transparency | Icons, logos and UI illustrations on the web |
▲ = generally favored on that aspect. Real-world results depend on encoder settings.
Convert between PNG and SVG
PNG vs SVG — Frequently Asked Questions
Is PNG better than SVG?
Is PNG better than SVG?
Neither is universally better — they serve different needs. PNG is stronger for logos and graphics with transparency, while SVG is stronger for icons, logos and ui illustrations on the web. Pick based on what you're trying to do.
Can I convert PNG to SVG?
Can I convert PNG to SVG?
Yes — Zen Convert handles PNG to SVG conversion for free, directly in your browser. It also handles the reverse (SVG to PNG). No signup, no watermark.
Will I lose quality converting between PNG and SVG?
Will I lose quality converting between PNG and SVG?
SVG is lossy, so converting from the lossless format PNG to SVG will lose some quality. Going the other direction (SVG → lossless) doesn't restore lost data — the lossless container just stores what's already there.
Which file is bigger : PNG or SVG?
Which file is bigger : PNG or SVG?
SVG files are usually smaller than PNG files at the same quality. The difference depends on encoder settings, but the trend is consistent across most content.
Which one is better supported on phones?
Which one is better supported on phones?
PNG has broader mobile support. Most phones (iPhone and Android) play it natively without extra apps.