Use JPG for broadly compatible photos, PNG for lossless graphics or transparency, and WebP for efficient modern web images. The best choice depends on what the pixels contain and where the file will be used.
JPG: practical for ordinary photos
JPG uses lossy compression and works almost everywhere. It is a strong default for camera photos, email attachments and social sharing. Repeatedly saving the same JPG can accumulate artifacts, and it cannot preserve transparent pixels.
PNG: lossless graphics and transparency
PNG preserves exact decoded pixels and alpha transparency, making it useful for logos, diagrams, interface screenshots and graphics with sharp edges. Photographs often become much larger as PNG because the format does not discard visual detail.
WebP: efficient modern delivery
WebP supports lossy or lossless encoding and transparency. It often gives websites a smaller file than JPG or PNG at comparable visual quality. Use it when the destination supports WebP and maximum legacy compatibility is not required.
Test the actual source
A format comparison should keep dimensions constant. Export two versions, inspect text edges, faces and gradients at the same zoom, then compare bytes. The CollagePlus compressor shows the source and result together so the decision is based on a real file.
Simple decision rules
- Camera photo for sharing: start with JPG.
- Transparent logo or sharp UI capture: use PNG.
- Website photo or transparent web asset: test WebP.
- Unknown recipient or older workflow: choose JPG or PNG.