File Format Comparison Guide
Choose the right file format for your needs. Compare features, quality, file sizes, and compatibility across different format categories.
Image Format Comparison
| Format | Best For | Compression | Transparency | Browser Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPEG (JPG) | Photos, complex images | Lossy, good compression | ❌ No | ✅ Universal |
| PNG | Graphics, logos, screenshots | Lossless, larger files | ✅ Yes | ✅ Universal |
| WebP | Web images, modern browsers | Superior to JPEG/PNG | ✅ Yes | ✅ 95%+ browsers |
| AVIF | Next-gen web, high efficiency | 50% better than JPEG | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Modern browsers |
| HEIF | Apple ecosystem, mobile | Better than JPEG | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited |
| TIFF | Professional, print, archival | Lossless, very large | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited |
Quick Recommendations
- Web use: WebP first, JPEG fallback
- Print/Professional: TIFF or high-quality JPEG
- Logos/Graphics: PNG or SVG
- Future-proofing: AVIF for modern applications
Document Format Comparison
PDF vs Word Documents
PDF (Portable Document Format)
- ✅ Preserves exact formatting across platforms
- ✅ Ideal for final documents, reports, forms
- ✅ Cannot be easily modified (security)
- ❌ Difficult to edit content
- ❌ Not mobile-responsive
DOCX (Microsoft Word)
- ✅ Easy to edit and collaborate
- ✅ Rich formatting and review features
- ✅ Template support
- ❌ Formatting can change between versions
- ❌ Requires compatible software
Excel vs CSV vs JSON
Excel (XLSX)
- ✅ Advanced calculations and formulas
- ✅ Charts, formatting, multiple sheets
- ❌ Proprietary format
CSV (Comma Separated)
- ✅ Universal compatibility
- ✅ Simple data import/export
- ❌ No formatting or formulas
JSON (JavaScript Object)
- ✅ Structured data, API-ready
- ✅ Programming language support
- ❌ Not human-readable for large datasets
Audio Format Comparison
| Format | Quality | File Size | Best Use Case | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Good (lossy) | Small | General use, streaming | ✅ Universal |
| FLAC | Perfect (lossless) | Large | Archival, audiophile | ⚠️ Good |
| WAV | Perfect (uncompressed) | Very large | Professional editing | ✅ Universal |
| AAC | Very good (lossy) | Small | Apple ecosystem, podcasts | ✅ Very good |
| OGG | Very good (lossy) | Small | Open source projects | ⚠️ Limited |
Video Format Comparison
Web & Streaming
MP4 (H.264)
Best overall compatibility, widely supported
WebM
Open source, good for web, smaller files
Professional
MOV
QuickTime format, high quality
MKV
Supports multiple audio tracks, subtitles
Legacy
AVI
Older format, large files, convert to MP4
WMV
Windows Media, limited compatibility
Modern & Specialized Formats
Scientific Data
HDF5
Hierarchical data, scientific research
NetCDF
Climate data, atmospheric science
DICOM
Medical imaging, healthcare
CAD & Design
DXF
AutoCAD exchange format
SVG
Scalable vector graphics
ICO
Icons, favicons
Format Decision Matrix
Web Use
WebP, MP4, PDF for viewing
Print Quality
TIFF, PDF, high-res JPEG
Collaboration
DOCX, Google Docs, cloud formats
Archival
FLAC, TIFF, PDF/A, lossless formats
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