AVIF to WebP Converter

Two Generations of Modern Formats: Choosing Between AVIF and WebP

AVIF and WebP are two of the most advanced image formats designed for the web. Both outperform classic JPG in compression efficiency, both support transparency and animation. However, there are fundamental differences between them that determine the usage scenarios for each format.

WebP was developed by Google in 2010 based on the VP8 video codec. Over the years, the format has gained universal support: all modern browsers, most graphics editors, many CMS platforms and online services work with WebP without issues. This makes WebP a universal choice for web images.

AVIF appeared in 2019 as the successor to WebP, based on the more modern AV1 codec. The format provides 20-30% more efficient compression than WebP, but its support is still limited. Many programs, services and devices cannot work with AVIF, which creates compatibility issues.

Converting AVIF to WebP is the optimal way to preserve the advantages of a modern format (transparency, quality, compactness) while achieving significantly broader compatibility.

Technical Comparison of Codecs: AV1 vs VP8

AV1 Codec Architecture (AVIF)

AVIF uses the AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media. This is the result of years of research in video compression, combining the best developments from Google (VP10), Cisco (Thor), and Mozilla (Daala).

Key AV1 technologies:

• 128x128 pixel superblocks - the largest among modern codecs
• 56 directional prediction modes - precise encoding of textures and gradients
• CDEF and Loop Restoration filters - elimination of compression artifacts
• Recursive block partitioning - adaptation to image content
• Context-based symbol coding - efficient entropy compression

The result is exceptional quality at minimal file size, but at the cost of high computational complexity during encoding.

VP8/VP8L Codec Architecture (WebP)

WebP exists in two variants: lossy based on VP8 and lossless based on VP8L.

VP8 for lossy compression uses:

• 16x16 and 4x4 pixel blocks - classic macroblock approach
• DCT transform - discrete cosine transform as in JPEG
• 4 prediction modes for 16x16 blocks - horizontal, vertical, DC, TrueMotion
• 10 modes for 4x4 blocks - more detailed prediction of small areas
• Adaptive deblocking filter - smoothing of block boundaries

VP8L for lossless compression applies:

• LZ77 coding - finding repeating patterns
• Huffman coding - efficient symbol representation
• Prediction based on neighboring pixels - using local correlation
• Color space transformation - channel decorrelation

VP8 is simpler than AV1, which provides faster encoding and decoding, but less compression efficiency.

Detailed Comparison of AVIF and WebP

Technical Specifications of Formats

Compression Efficiency

At comparable visual quality:

• AVIF is 20-30% more compact than WebP for photographs
• AVIF is 25-40% more compact than WebP for graphics with sharp edges
• For screenshots, AVIF advantage reaches 30-50%
• For images with small text, AVIF is significantly more efficient

When converting AVIF to WebP, file size will increase, but the difference is not critical - WebP is still significantly more compact than JPG.

Compatibility and Support

Browsers:

Software:

Operating Systems:

WebP has significantly broader support thanks to its 10-year presence in the market.

When AVIF to WebP Conversion Is Necessary

CMS and E-commerce Platforms

Many content management systems and marketplaces do not support AVIF:

• WordPress - additional plugins required for AVIF, WebP works natively from version 5.8
• Shopify - does not accept AVIF for products, WebP is fully supported
• WooCommerce - similar to WordPress
• Magento - limited AVIF support
• Bitrix - WebP is preferable for compatibility
• Tilda - works with WebP, AVIF support is limited
• Wix - automatically optimizes to WebP

Converting to WebP guarantees correct image operation on most platforms.

CDN and Optimization Systems

Content delivery networks and image optimizers work better with WebP:

• Cloudflare Polish - automatic conversion to WebP, AVIF in beta
• imgix - full WebP support, AVIF recently added
• Cloudinary - both formats, but WebP is more stable
• ImageKit - WebP recommended for broad compatibility
• KeyCDN - optimization to WebP

If you use CDN for automatic optimization, WebP will provide predictable results.

Graphics Editors and Design Tools

Designer workflows often require WebP:

• Figma - imports WebP, does not work with AVIF
• Sketch - WebP through plugins, AVIF not supported
• Adobe XD - similar situation
• Canva - accepts WebP for upload
• Crello/VistaCreate - WebP is supported

For transferring layouts and assets between tools, WebP is more universal.

Mobile Applications

Mobile platform development:

• Android - WebP natively from API 14 (Android 4.0), AVIF from API 31 (Android 12)
• iOS - WebP from iOS 14, AVIF from iOS 16
• React Native - WebP libraries are more stable
• Flutter - similarly

For applications supporting older OS versions, WebP is the only choice among modern formats.

Email Marketing and Newsletters

Email clients and mailing platforms:

• Mailchimp - WebP support, AVIF not accepted
• SendGrid - similarly
• GetResponse - WebP works
• Outlook - WebP displays in modern versions
• Gmail - both formats in web version, WebP is more reliable

For email campaigns, WebP provides a balance between compression and compatibility.

AVIF to WebP Conversion Process

Technical Stages of Transformation

1. AVIF container parsing - reading ISOBMFF structure, extracting metadata and image parameters

2. AV1 decoding - unpacking the bitstream with applying inverse codec transformations

3. Pixel data extraction - obtaining RGBA buffer considering color depth and color space

4. Color space processing - if AVIF is in Display P3 or Rec.2020, conversion to sRGB is performed

5. Applying transformations - rotation, mirroring, scaling, conversion to grayscale

6. WebP mode selection - lossy (quality 0-99) or lossless (quality 100)

7. WebP encoding - VP8/VP8L compression with specified quality parameters

8. Saving result - writing WebP file with metadata

WebP Quality Settings

WebP offers a flexible quality control system:

For most tasks, quality 80-90 is recommended - the optimal compromise between visual quality and file size.

The quality=100 Feature in WebP

Unlike JPG, where 100% quality still applies lossy compression, WebP at quality=100 switches to lossless mode:

• VP8L codec is used instead of VP8
• Compression is fully reversible
• File size is significantly larger
• Ideal for graphics, screenshots, images with text

When converting from AVIF (which could also have been lossless), this allows preserving the original quality without additional losses.

What Is Preserved and Lost During Conversion

Fully Preserved

• Transparency (alpha channel) - both formats support transparency, it transfers unchanged
• Image resolution - pixel count remains unchanged
• Visual quality - with correct settings, the difference is minimal
• Animation - if AVIF contained an animated sequence, WebP also supports animation

Converted with Adaptation

• Color space - Display P3, Rec.2020 are converted to sRGB
• Color depth - 10-12 bit AVIF is converted to 8 bit WebP
• HDR data - tone mapping to SDR is applied

Not Transferred

• EXIF metadata - WebP has limited EXIF support, some data may be lost
• Extended dynamic range - HDR brightness and contrast are adapted for SDR displays

Optimization for Various Scenarios

Websites and Landing Pages

For web publishing recommended:

• Quality 80-85 for photographs
• Quality 90-95 for graphics with text
• Quality 100 (lossless) for logos and icons

WebP provides 25-35% savings compared to JPG at identical quality.

Mobile Applications

For mobile development:

• Quality 75-80 for background images
• Quality 85-90 for content images
• Creating versions for different screen densities (1x, 2x, 3x)

Social Networks and Messengers

For social media publishing:

• Quality 85-90 - optimal for most platforms
• Check the specific platform's format requirements

Archiving

For long-term storage:

• Quality 100 (lossless) - without quality loss
• Keep original AVIF files as master copies

WebP Advantages Over Alternatives

WebP vs JPG

• 25-35% smaller file size
• Transparency support
• Lossless compression option
• Animation support

WebP vs PNG

• Significantly smaller size for photographs
• Comparable quality for graphics
• Lossy compression support for additional optimization

WebP vs GIF

• Better animation quality at smaller size
• Full color palette support (16 million colors vs 256)
• 8-bit transparency instead of 1-bit

Tools and Programs for Working with WebP

Viewing WebP

Modern browsers and operating systems display WebP natively:

• Windows 10/11 - built-in support
• macOS Big Sur+ - viewing in Finder and Preview
• All modern browsers

Editing WebP

• Adobe Photoshop (CC 2021+) - full support
• GIMP - opening and saving WebP
• Paint.NET - through built-in plugin
• IrfanView - quick viewing and conversion

Online Tools

PEREFILE provides a convenient online converter without the need to install programs. Simply upload your AVIF file, configure the parameters, and download the result in WebP.

Recommendations for Choosing Between AVIF and WebP

Use AVIF When

• Target audience uses modern browsers
• Minimal file size is critical
• HDR or extended color gamut is required
• Fallback option is available

Use WebP When

• Maximum compatibility is needed
• Images for CMS, marketplaces, email campaigns
• Developing for older versions of mobile OS
• Working with design tools (Figma, Canva)

Use Both Formats

For web projects, a progressive enhancement strategy is optimal:

<picture>
  <source srcset="image.avif" type="image/avif">
  <source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
  <img src="image.jpg" alt="Description">
</picture>

Converting AVIF to WebP allows creating an intermediate version that combines good compression with broad compatibility.