BPG vs PNG Format Comparison
BPG
Better Portable Graphics
image/bpg
VS
Portable Network Graphics
image/png
PNG
A complete technical comparison of Better Portable Graphics and Portable Network Graphics — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
PNG wins on browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | BPG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | Yes | Yes |
| Animation Support | Yes | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| 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
Portable Network Graphics
image/png
Extension
.png
Container
PNG
Compression
Lossless
Algorithm
DEFLATE
Color Depth
1-bit, 2-bit, 4-bit, 8-bit, 16-bit
Developed by
PNG Development Group
Released
1996
Magic Bytes
89 50 4E 47 0D 0A 1A 0A
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | BPG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
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- Superseded conceptually by the open, royalty-free AVIF format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
PNG
PNG Strengths
- Lossless compression — zero quality degradation, pixel-perfect reproduction
- Full alpha channel transparency with 256 levels of opacity
- Ideal for sharp edges: text, logos, line art, screenshots
Limitations
- File sizes significantly larger than JPEG or WebP for photographs
- No native animation support (requires APNG extension)
- Not suitable for high-resolution photographs where file size matters
When to choose which format
BPG
Use BPG when…
- High-Efficiency Image Archival
- Bandwidth-Constrained Environments (via JS decoder)
PNG
Use PNG when…
- Logos
- Icons
- Screenshots
- UI Assets
- Transparency
Convert & Edit Online
Free online web tools for BPG and PNG 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
PNG to WebP Converter
Modern Web
Convert PNG graphics to WebP for 26% smaller file sizes with alpha transparency.
Use Tool
WebP to PNG Converter
Lossless
Convert WebP images to lossless PNG format with transparency.
Use Tool