BPG vs JPEG Format Comparison
BPG
Better Portable Graphics
image/bpg
VS
JPEG Image
image/jpeg
JPEG
A complete technical comparison of Better Portable Graphics and JPEG Image — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
JPEG wins on browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | BPG | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | Yes | ✕ No |
| Animation Support | Yes | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | Yes |
| HDR Support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| EXIF Metadata | Yes | Yes |
| ICC Color Profile | Yes | Yes |
Better Portable Graphics
image/bpg
Extension
.bpg
Container
Custom BPG Header
Compression
HEVC (H.265) Intra-frame / Lossless
Algorithm
HEVC (H.265)
Color Depth
8-bit (Per Channel), 10-bit (Per Channel), 12-bit (Per Channel), 14-bit (Per Channel)
Developed by
Fabrice Bellard
Released
2014
Magic Bytes
42 50 47 FB
JPEG Image
image/jpeg
Extension
.jfif.jpe.jpeg.jpg.pjp.pjpeg
Container
JFIF / Exif
Compression
Lossy
Algorithm
DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform)
Color Depth
8-bit
Developed by
Joint Photographic Experts Group
Released
1992
Magic Bytes
FF D8 FF
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | BPG | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
Chrome
|
✕ |
✓ All
|
Firefox
|
✕ |
✓ All
|
Safari
|
✕ |
✓ All
|
Edge
|
✕ |
✓ All
|
IE (Legacy)
|
✕ |
✓
|
BPG
BPG Strengths
- Exceptional compression efficiency that vastly outperforms standard JPEG at similar quality levels
- Supports high bit depths (up to 14 bits per channel), lossless compression, and alpha channel transparency within a single format
- The official JavaScript decoder allows the format to be rendered on standard HTML5 canvas elements
Limitations
- HEVC (H.265) patent encumbrance prevented native adoption in major web browsers
- Superseded conceptually by the open, royalty-free AVIF format
- Encoding BPG files is computationally intensive and requires specialized command-line tools
JPEG
JPEG Strengths
- Universal support — every browser, OS, and application handles JPEG
- Excellent compression for complex photographs with natural color gradients
- Rich metadata support: EXIF (GPS, camera settings), ICC color profiles
Limitations
- No transparency — cannot have a transparent background
- Lossy compression introduces visible artifacts on sharp edges and text
- No animation support
When to choose which format
BPG
Use BPG when…
- High-Efficiency Image Archival
- Bandwidth-Constrained Environments (via JS decoder)
JPEG
Use JPEG when…
- Photography
- Websites
- Social Media
Convert & Edit Online
Free online web tools for BPG and JPEG files.
Free Image Resizer
Editor
Resize, scale, crop, and modify dimensions for any photo or graphic.
Use Tool
Image Metadata Remover
Privacy
Clean EXIF, camera, lens, and location tags from your photos.
Use Tool
WebP to JPG Converter
Universal
Convert modern web images to universal high-compatibility JPG.
Use Tool
Compress WebP Images
Optimizer
Reduce image file sizes for faster web performance.
Use Tool
JPG to WebP Converter
Modern Web
Convert JPEG photos to next-generation lightweight WebP format.
Use Tool