Web graphicsSVG
Logos and icons at any size
SVG scales without pixelation and supports crisp edges.
PNG vs SVG
Vector versus raster for logos, icons, and images that must scale or stay pixel-perfect.
Practical notes
SVG wins for anything that needs to scale, recolor, or stay crisp at multiple sizes.
PNG wins for photographic detail and cases where a raster render is the only deliverable.
Criteria
PNG
SVG
File size & compression
Lossless
None
Transparency
Supported
Supported
Animation
Partial
Supported
Editing
Full editing in design and photo tools
Full source-level editing
Openness
Open
Open
Browser support
Universal
Universal
Typical uses
Logos and UI assets, Screenshots, Images with transparency, Lossless web graphics
Logos and icons, Vector illustrations, Diagrams and charts, Responsive web graphics
Limitations
Larger files than lossy formats for photos, No native CMYK, Animation requires APNG support
Not ideal for photographic detail, Rendering depends on font availability, Complex filters can be expensive
Attribute values come from the reviewed records on each format page.Read the methodology for source and review rules.
Use-case verdicts
Winners are conditional. A format wins only when the stated condition matches your workflow.
Web photosPNG
Photographic detail
SVG cannot represent photographic pixels efficiently.
PrintSVG
Vector artwork and signage
SVG is resolution independent for printing.
EditingSVG
Source-level design changes
SVG is editable text markup.
ArchivingDepends
PNG for pixels, SVG for vector sources
The right archival choice depends on the original artwork type.