PNG vs SVG: What are the differences?

If you’re working with high-quality digital logos and graphics, you might consider saving your files as PNG or SVG. Both are versatile formats with high resolutions, even at a large scale.

Learn about the main differences between PNG and SVG, as well as how to use each file type.

What is a PNG file?

PNGs (Portable Network Graphics) are raster-based files. They feature high resolutions, lossless compression, transparency, and the ability to handle 16 million colors. This makes them an excellent choice for graphics, logos, charts, and illustrations — as well as very detailed photographs. Due to the large file sizes associated with PNG files, they’re not ideal for online photos.

What is an SVG file?

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) work well for logos and graphics because you can scale them up or down for different purposes. They’re also a popular choice in web design because search engines like Google can read their XML programming language. This helps with SEO and website rankings.

Unlike PNGs, SVGs are vector-based. This means that they use mathematical algorithms to display images, which you can then scale to any size without negatively impacting their quality.

What is the difference between PNG and SVG files?

There’s a lot of crossover between PNG and SVG. Find out what sets them apart.

Raster vs. vector.

Perhaps the most fundamental difference between PNG and SVG is that one is a raster file type and the other is vector.

A PNG is a raster — that is, pixel-based — image format. If you scale up a raster image too far, it becomes grainy and pixelated. Similarly, if the image is too small, it can become indistinct. While PNGs are capable of handling very high resolutions, they’re not infinitely expandable.

On the other hand, SVG files are vector-based — built from a complex mathematical network of lines, dots, shapes, and algorithms. They can expand to any size without losing their resolution.

Find out more about raster vs. vector

File sizes.

PNG file sizes are often large so that they can handle high resolutions. Their size means they can take longer to process, share, save, and open. It can also slow down page loading times — which is why JPEGs are more common for online photography. There is, however, a smaller 8-Bit PNG variant, but it can only support 256 colors.

SVGs are far smaller in size than PNGs and aren’t likely to slow down your computer or website. (However, very detailed designs may slow down an SVG.) Because they’re a vector file format, you can scale SVGs up or down without any loss in quality.

Compression.

SVGs offer lossless compression — which means they’re compressible to smaller file sizes at no cost to their definition, detail, or quality.

PNGs also benefit from lossless compression of 5-20%, which can help make up for their large file size. However, they’re still likely to be larger than an SVG.

Photography.

PNG files aren’t a common choice for web photos, as discussed above. However, they can handle very detailed, high-quality digital photos for print, editing, and other purposes. They’re a common file format in Adobe Photoshop.

SVGs, on the other hand, don’t use pixels — so they struggle to display photography at a high standard.

Web use.

Both PNG and SVG files can display intricate levels of detail for web graphics, illustrations, logos, infographics, and tables.

However, SVG has a key advantage with its XML programming language. This means that each SVG file on display is written in text, rather than code. As a result, screen readers and search engines can analyze them — so they’re great for accessibility and SEO purposes.

SVG files are also usually smaller, which makes them quicker to load on a page. Page loading times are another critical element of search engine rankings.

PNG also supports some text-based graphics — but not to the same extent.

Compatibility and complexity.

SVGs are considered a more advanced file type than PNGs, but they’re not actually compatible with every browser and operating system. Additionally, their programming language and vector-based composition can be unfamiliar and intimidating to new users.

PNGs, on the other hand, are a standard online format that receives wide support from web browsers and operating systems.

Animation.

PNG files don’t support animation — unlike a similar raster-based image file, the GIF.

SVG files do support animation, but not as readily as other file types like the AI Adobe Illustrator native format.

Transparency.

PNGs and SVGs support transparency — so they’re both excellent choices for online logos and graphics.

It’s worth noting that PNGs are one of the best choices for a raster-based transparent file. If you’re working with pixels and transparency, PNGs are a better option than SVGs.