GIF, WebP and AVIF all do similar jobs, but they are not equal. Picking the right one can shrink your file by 80–90% with no visible quality loss. Here is the plain-English breakdown.
Quick comparison
- GIF — universally supported and great for short animations, but large files and only 256 colours.
- WebP — modern Google format; much smaller than GIF, supports animation and transparency, and works in every current browser.
- AVIF — the newest format; the smallest files and best quality, ideal for photos, with rapidly growing support.
Which should you use?
Sharing an animation everywhere? GIF still has the widest reach. Want the same animation at a fraction of the size? Convert it to animated WebP. Optimising photos for speed? AVIF wins on size and quality.
Convert between them for free
You can switch any image between these formats in seconds with our free converters — no watermark, no sign-up. Try GIF to WebP, GIF to AVIF, or browse all image converters.
FAQ
Is WebP better than GIF?
For most uses, yes — animated WebP looks the same as a GIF but is dramatically smaller. The only reason to keep GIF is maximum compatibility on very old platforms.
Does AVIF support animation?
Yes, though it is most commonly used for still photos where its compression really shines.
