The Difference Between HEIC vs JPEG in Size & Quality

By Tata Rossi, Tetiana Kostylieva 9 days ago, File Formats

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At FixThePhoto, I handle images in many formats as part of my daily editing routine. One question we hear time and again is about HEIC vs JPEG. People often get confused when transferring iPhone photos to their computers, or when a file just won’t open. That’s where these two formats come into play.

With so many people asking about this, I decided to put together a quick comparison of HEIC and JPEG. I’ve focused on aspects that really matter - how the photos look, how much space they take up, and which apps support them. Once you know the trade-offs, you can choose the right format.

In short: JPEG is supported by many devices. Besides, it is easy to share. However, it sacrifices image quality. HEIC impresses with better photo quality and smaller file size. Still, it is mainly compatible with never Apple devices.

So... Which Format Do I Recommend

For day-to-day sharing and viewing, JPEG comes out on top as it works everywhere.

Want crisp mobile shots without clogging up your storage? HEIC wins here.

But if you’re engaged in photo editing professionally, go RAW or TIFF. Both JPEG and HEIC compress your images, which means you lose quality and flexibility.

The Main Difference Between Formats

HEIC, short for High Efficiency Image Container, is a modern image format that helps you save space without losing image quality. It’s based on the HEIF format and employs advanced compression to store high-quality photos in smaller file sizes. Apple jumped on board with HEIC in iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra, which is why iPhones now save photos as .heic files by default.

Advantages of HEIC over JPEG:

It saves space without skimping on quality, which is beneficial for storing your files both on your phone and in cloud storage.

It offers modern features like transparency and Live Photos.

It has richer colors and smoother transitions, especially useful in HDR photography.

Disadvantages of HEIC:

Not all apps or devices (especially non-Apple ones) support HEIC.

You often need to convert it to JPEG or PNG for sharing or printing.

Older systems may struggle to open and process HEIC since it uses more advanced compression methods.

Comparing HEIC format vs JPEG I’ve understood that I have mixed feelings about working with HEIC files. On the one hand, the image quality is fantastic. It captures shadows and soft tones beautifully, especially in HDR and portrait shots. On the other hand, I faced difficulties when sharing files with clients who aren’t using the latest software.

Luckily, I could use free image converters like iMazing HEIC Converter, CloudConvert, and CopyTrans HEIC for Windows to turn them into the needed formats. Besides, if you need to view a HEIC file, Google Photos and Dropbox do the trick without any prior conversion.

How to Open HEIC?	How to Convert HEIC files to JPEG?
Paid: Adobe Photoshop (with HEIC plugin), Lightroom, Adobe InDesign Free: Windows Photos (with HEIF extension), macOS Preview Online: Google Photos, Dropbox (HEIC preview in browser)	Desktop: iMazing HEIC Converter, CopyTrans HEIC, XnConvert Online: CloudConvert, Convertio, HEICtoJPG Mobile: Luma: HEIC Convert (iOS), File Converter (Android)

JPEG file got its name from the group that created it - the Joint Photographic Experts Group, back in the ‘90s. It’s a lossy format, meaning it saves space by trimming out some of the image data. But it still preserves decent image quality for just about any use. JPEGs are super versatile, working on almost every device and photo editing software for PC. With support for up to 16 million colors, it’s no wonder they’ve stood the test of time.

Advantages of JPEG over HEIC:

Small file size means quick uploads and easy sharing.

JPEGs open and render quickly, even on older gadgets.

You can control the balance between quality and size by adjusting the compression level.

Disadvantages of JPEG:

Every time you edit and save a JPEG, a bit of image quality is lost.

JPEG doesn’t support transparent backgrounds, which can be a real problem for design work.

It stores only one image per file, so you can’t use it for animations or Live Photos.

I still rely on JPEGs every day, especially if my clients need images optimized for websites, social media posts, or printed materials. It’s fast, light, and is supported by nearly every platform. But when a client sends me a JPEG that’s been compressed heavily and asks for a full retouch, I know I’m in for an uphill battle.

Professional photographers and designers may use JPEG for casual tasks. Still, if you want to keep every bit of image quality for editing later, you’d better opt for newer formats like HEIC or RAW files.

What Format to Choose

JPEG and HEIC

It was very interesting to compare HEIF file vs JPEG counterpart, since I frequently handle both formats. JPEG is still the standard for many clients. Yet, HEIC is becoming more common, especially from iPhones with their advanced tech.

Both JPEG and HEIC can hold rich image data. However, they have distinct approaches to data compression. This impacts the resulting file size and image quality. Moreover, it is crucial to consider how well each format works with different systems.

Image Quality

HEIC

For the same file size, HEIC images have higher quality. HEICs from iPhones often appear crisper and cleaner compared to JPEGs. You can see this difference in the brightest and darkest parts of an image. HEIC can handle a wider color gamut with its 10-bit support, unlike JPEG's 8-bit. This is a big plus when tweaking subtle color transitions.

I noticed that with bright portrait photos, HEIC maintains smoother gradients in skin and colors. JPEG can show noticeable stripes, called banding, in the background. Still, it is possible to increase resolution in Photoshop.

Compression

HEIC

JPEG is a well-established format. It compresses images by permanently discarding some data. The process is known as lossy compression. I've noticed this image degradation when dealing with web graphics or repeatedly saving a JPEG. You see blurring at the edges, color shifts, and a loss of fine detail.

When comparing HEIC photo format vs JPEG, I learned that HEIC utilizes a more modern compression technique. I can achieve smaller file sizes without a significant reduction in visual quality. Though it isn’t lossless, it preserves data better than JPEGs. I can fit twice the number of HEIC images compared to JPEGs on my phone or drive, without any noticeable drop in photo quality.

File Size

HEIC

Talking about HEIC vs JPEG file size, I figured out that HEIC offers a smaller file footprint without sacrificing image quality or even improving it. I've noticed HEIC files are often close to 50% smaller than comparable JPEGs. This is probably the reason why Apple adopted HEIC in 2017, offering more pictures in less disk space.

I remember the situation when I did a cloud backup of 1,000 iPhone photos. The HEIC files had a size of roughly 1.2 GB. The JPEGs of the same set of images ballooned to 2.5 GB.

Compatibility

JPEG

JPEG has much broader platform support. You can view JPEGs on almost any device or software, from Windows to car displays. HEIC, however, isn't as universally compatible. Some Windows programs, online services, and printers don't natively handle HEIC files.

If a client provides HEIC files for a wedding album, I typically need to convert them to the highest quality photo format, such as JPEG or TIFF. This step is necessary for detailed editing and sharing previews with print labs.

Open HEIC and JPEG for free!

If you often work with both HEIC and JPEG files, Adobe Creative Cloud is a terrific solution for you. It gives you access to handy tools, including Lightroom, Photoshop, and InDesign. You can use them to open, edit, and tweak your images without any hassle.

Try for Free

Editing & Post-Processing Flexibility

HEIC

If you are interested in detailed photo editing, neither JPEG nor HEIC will satisfy you. When I want full control, I opt for RAW or TIFF. Still, HEIC surpasses JPEG because it keeps more image info. So, it is better for quick color or exposure fixes. Adobe’s latest update even supports 10-bit HEICs for HDR editing, though you’ll need an HDR screen to see the difference.

For example, on iPhones with HDR displays, HEICs taken in daylight look vibrant and full of detail. However, if you open the same file on a standard monitor, it loses its sparkle.

Sharing & Uploading

JPEG

When it comes to web use, JPEG is a better option. Many platforms, whether it’s email, websites, or social media, don’t support HEIC yet. So, if you’re working with HEIC files, be ready to convert them to JPEG or PNG to share them online.

I once faced the problem, trying to upload an HEIC to a client’s gallery. Nothing worked until I converted every single image to JPEG.

Metadata, Transparency & Multi-Image Support

HEIC

HEIC is rather a versatile format. It can hold several images in one file, supports transparency, and keeps rich metadata. JPEG doesn’t offer any of that, especially when it comes to transparency. That’s why you’ll still need HEIC or PNG for web overlays or logo design. HEIC is great for Live Photos, burst mode, or anything layered. JPEG is less helpful in this regard.

To help you see the differences at a glance, I’ve created a quick comparison table showing what each format does best.

Feature	HEIC	JPEG
File Size	Smaller due to advanced compression	Larger, especially at high quality
Quality	High, lossless	Varies, lossy compression
Resolution	Supports high resolutions, including HDR	Supports high resolution but with limits
Compatibility	Limited (mainly Apple and modern software)	Universal
Editing	Maintains more quality across edits	Quality decreases with edits
File Compression	Advanced, efficient compression	Lossy compression to reduce file size
Transparency Support	Yes	No
Color Depth	10-bit or more (up to 1 billion colors)	Typically 24-bit (millions of colors)
File Type Extensions	.heic, .heif	.jpeg, .jpg

FAQ

• Can I save metadata in HEIC and JPEG files?

Yes, you can. Both formats support metadata, including exposure settings, timestamps, and GPS location. But HEIC is still a better option than JPEG format, as it’s built to store more advanced and flexible metadata thanks to its modern structure.

• Can I use HEIC or JPEG for animations or motion photos?

HEIC can pack several images into one file, so you can use it for short animations or Live Photos on iPhones. JPEG only supports one image per file, so animation is out of the question.

• Can I make my iPhone save photos as JPEGs instead of HEICs?

Absolutely. Just open your Settings, go to Camera > Formats, and switch to Most Compatible. That way, your photos will be saved as JPEGs. If you're aiming to save storage, High Efficiency (HEIC) is a better choice.

• Is it possible to convert a JPEG photo to HEIC?

Yes, it is. However, converting a JPEG to HEIC won’t boost image quality, since JPEG is already a compressed or “lossy” format. Still, if you want to save space or need HEIC for compatibility reasons, you can use file converter software like Adobe Photoshop, XnConvert, or even free online converters to do the job.

• Can Photoshop Elements handle HEIC images?

Yes. From version 2020 onward, Photoshop Elements supports HEIC files on both Mac and PC. If you're on Windows, you may have to install a small add-on - HEIF/HEVC extensions, but that’s a one-time thing. Editing HEIC in Photoshop Elements is easy, just like working with JPEGs.

• HEIC vs JPEG which is better for posting on social media from my phone?

Stick with JPEG, as it is supported by Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. As for the HEIC format, you need to convert it first.

How We Tested

To see the real difference between HEIC and JPEG, we tested in different projects. I did direct comparisons, using our phones and editing apps. We wanted to know the most efficient format in terms of editing workflow, storage footprint, and quality.

Import and compatibility. JPEG files were plug-and-play in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Capture One. HEIC files sometimes require extra software or conversion, especially on Windows. When Eva tried a HEIC portrait on her Windows PC, it asked for a HEIF extension. I opened the same image on my MacBook in Lightroom without a problem.

Color and detail comparison. I checked the color range, image crispness, and how much detail remained. We used identical photos in HEIC and JPEG formats, taken of a scene with bright and dark areas. Kate, my colleague from FixThePhoto did a direct comparison after making minor exposure fixes. She observed that the HEIC version had better highlight recovery in the clouds and less color stepping in smooth areas.

Editing flexibility. We tried common retouching like skin smoothing and tonal adjustments on HEIC and JPEG. HEIC retained more of the image's tonal range. Thus, we could correct skin tone without leaving artifacts. The situation was different with JPEGs. The overall quality got worse in shadows and highlights when we applied big changes.

File size efficiency. If you want to save space without losing quality, opt for HEIC. I ran a test on 50 images, comparing HEIC vs JPEG size variations. HEIC files came in about 40–50% smaller than their JPEG versions, while still holding up well for regular viewing and simple edits. For example, take a 3.5MB JPEG. It dropped to just 1.8MB in HEIC, and you really had to zoom in at 200% to notice any difference.

Client workflow impact. When considering client workflows, Eva pointed out that most clients are still sticking with JPEGs, meaning HEIC isn’t widely popular. That said, for photographers who work primarily with Apple products, HEIC offers some serious perks, especially when it comes to both quality and saving space.

Tata Rossi

Tech Trends Journalist

Tata Rossi is a photographer-advisor, key contributor at FixThePhoto, sharing her expertise about photography and 55% of photos you see at our blog are taken by her. She is a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She is the main so-called teacher in our team, conducting courses on photography and editing for beginners and anyone interested.

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Tetiana Kostylieva

Photo & Video Insights Blogger

Tetiana Kostylieva is the content creator, who takes photos and videos for almost all FixThePhoto blog articles. Her career started in 2013 as a caricature artist at events. Now, she leads our editorial team, testing new ideas and ensuring the content is helpful and engaging. She likes vintage cameras and, in all articles, she always compares them with modern ones showing that it isn’t obligatory to invest in brand-new equipment to produce amazing results.

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