SVG vs PNG
Vector markup versus raster pixels—compare scaling, file size, and safety for icons, logos, and illustrations.
Overview
SVG stores drawing instructions and PNG stores pixels, which is why one icon file can serve every density while a raster icon needs a set of exports. The catch is that SVG is markup: it can reference external resources and execute scripts, so files from untrusted sources must be sanitised before you inline them into a page.
Pros
- Scales to any size without blurring
- Styleable and animatable with CSS
- Tiny for flat icons and logos
Cons
- Untrusted files can carry scripts
- Complex illustrations grow heavy to render
Pros
- Predictable rendering everywhere
- Handles photographic detail and gradients
- No script surface to sanitise
Cons
- Blurs when scaled beyond its resolution
- Needs multiple sizes for crisp display
Comparison table
| Aspect | SVG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Scaling | Resolution independent | Fixed pixel grid |
| Security surface | Scripts and external refs to strip | Effectively none |
| Best content | Icons, logos, diagrams | Photos, complex textures |
| Best fit | The artwork is geometric and must scale cleanly | The artwork is photographic or must render identically |
Recommendation
Use SVG for icons, logos, and diagrams, and PNG when the content is photographic or must render identically everywhere. Sanitise any SVG you did not author before inlining it.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is inlining SVG safe?
- Only after sanitisation. Inline SVG shares the page's DOM, so scripts, event handlers, and javascript: URLs must be stripped first.
- When is an SVG bigger than a PNG?
- When the artwork has thousands of paths, gradients, or filters. Highly detailed illustrations often export smaller and render faster as raster images.
- What pushes someone toward SVG instead of PNG?
- SVG wins when the artwork is geometric and must scale cleanly. The practical upside is that scales to any size without blurring, and styleable and animatable with CSS. The trade-off to watch is that untrusted files can carry scripts.
- When does PNG beat SVG for the same job?
- Reach for PNG when the artwork is photographic or must render identically. It gives you predictable rendering everywhere plus handles photographic detail and gradients, at the cost that blurs when scaled beyond its resolution.
- Can ToolHub help me try SVG and PNG before I commit?
- Yes. The tools linked from each side of SVG vs PNG run in your browser, so you can exercise SVG and PNG with sample data without uploading anything.