AVIF vs JPEG XL — The Future of Image Formats
As websites demand higher-quality visuals with faster performance, next‑generation image formats have become a priority. Two formats lead the discussion: AVIF and JPEG XL. Both offer dramatic improvements over JPEG and PNG — but they differ in compression efficiency, browser support, features and long‑term viability.
This guide provides a complete comparison of AVIF vs JPEG XL, explaining which format is more future‑proof for web developers, designers and performance‑focused platforms.
1. What is AVIF?
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is built on the AV1 video codec and is supported by major tech companies like Google, Netflix, and Amazon. It offers:
- Excellent compression at extremely small file sizes
- High-quality gradients with fewer artifacts
- Native HDR support
- Alpha transparency
AVIF is widely supported in Chrome, Firefox, and most Chromium-based browsers.
2. What is JPEG XL?
JPEG XL was designed as a true next‑generation replacement for JPEG. Its goals include:
- Lossless transcoding of existing JPEG images
- Superior lossy compression quality
- Faster decoding than AVIF
- Wide color gamut and HDR support
- Better handling of fine textures and noise
Although Chrome removed built‑in support in early 2023, community and industry pressure continues to push for its return — and, experimental support and enterprise adoption have grown again.
3. Compression Comparison
AVIF: Generally produces the smallest file sizes but requires heavy CPU encoding and sometimes introduces slight blurring in fine textures.
JPEG XL: Offers extremely high-quality images with fewer artifacts and often smaller files than WebP. Lossless compression is a major advantage.
In real‑world tests:
- AVIF excels at small images and thumbnails
- JPEG XL excels at large images, gradients, and professional photography
4. Speed & Decoding Performance
AVIF decoding is slower than WebP and JPEG, especially on low‑end devices. This can impact LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) for hero images.
JPEG XL decodes fast — often faster than AVIF and even WebP, making it ideal for high‑resolution displays and photography‑heavy sites.
5. Browser Support
The biggest difference between AVIF and JPEG XL today is support.
AVIF Support
- Chrome — Full support
- Firefox — Full support
- Safari — Partial/experimental support
- Android WebView — Supported
JPEG XL Support
- Chrome — Experimental flags restored
- Firefox — Partial experimental support
- Safari — Investigating / internal builds exist
- ImageCDNs — Many now support upload/serve JPEG XL variants
JPEG XL is gaining momentum again, driven by photography communities, enterprise imaging pipelines, and environmental benefits (smaller files → reduced bandwidth).
6. Feature Comparison
- Transparency: AVIF ✓ | JPEG XL ✓
- Animation: AVIF limited | JPEG XL ✓ with advanced features
- HDR: Both support HDR; JPEG XL handles tone mapping better
- Lossless compression: AVIF limited | JPEG XL excellent
- Progressive decoding: JPEG XL ✓ | AVIF ✗
7. Which Format Should You Use?
Use AVIF if:
- You need the smallest possible file size
- Your audience is mostly using Chrome/Android
- You are optimizing icons, UI assets, or small graphics
Use JPEG XL if:
- You prioritize maximum visual quality
- You handle large photos, gradients, or prints
- You want the future of JPEG replacement with lossless transcoding
8. Future Outlook
AVIF currently leads because of strong Google support and established browser compatibility. JPEG XL, however, is proving hard to ignore — with the industry gradually pushing for broader adoption, especially among photographers and CDNs.
In 2026, the most future‑proof setup is a dual‑format strategy:
- Serve AVIF for supported browsers
- Serve JPEG XL as next‑gen fallback where supported
- Fallback to WebP/JPEG only when necessary
Final Thoughts
Both AVIF and JPEG XL represent the future of online images. AVIF is the practical winner today due to wide support, but JPEG XL may become the quality leader as browser adoption accelerates. Smart developers will prepare their pipelines now to support both formats.
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