It is the classic battle: The veteran JPG versus the specialist PNG. Let's break down their strengths and weaknesses in a head-to-head comparison.
Round 1: File Size
Winner: JPG
JPG is the undisputed king of compression. You can shrink a photo to 10% of its original size and it will still look "okay" to the average person. PNGs struggle here; they prioritize perfection over space.
Round 2: Quality Preservation
Winner: PNG
Open a JPG, draw a line, save it. Repeat 10 times. The line will become fuzzy. Do the same with a PNG, and it remains pixel-perfect forever. For archiving or editing, PNG wins.
Round 3: Features
Winner: PNG
PNG supports transparency channels. This means you can have an object with no background, allowing it to float over other layers on a website. JPGs are always rectangular boxes—if you don't have a background, JPG adds a white one automatically.
The Verdict
- Use JPG for: Photographs, realistic wallpapers, or when you have limited storage space.
- Use PNG for: Screenshots, logos, line art, charts, or anything that needs a transparent background.