The short answer
Use SVG for logos, icons, and illustrations. Use PNG for photos and complex raster art. Many projects use both.
SVG: vector, infinitely scalable
SVG stores shapes as math, so it scales without quality loss and stays tiny for simple graphics. It's also editable — recolor, reshape, and animate it.
PNG: pixel-based, everywhere
PNG is a lossless raster format with transparency support. It renders identically everywhere, which makes it great for photos and complex graphics.
Comparison
- Scalability: SVG wins (infinite), PNG loses (pixels)
- File size: SVG wins for simple graphics, PNG wins for photos
- Transparency: both support it
- Editability: SVG wins (shapes), PNG loses (pixels)
- Browser support: both universal
Making the switch
Already have PNGs? Convert them to SVG for your logos and UI assets — then edit and scale them freely. Try the PNG to SVG converter.