AVIF vs ICO: Which Should You Use?

Side-by-side comparison of AVIF and ICO image formats — features, pros, cons, and conversion options.

Quick Answer

AVIF is best for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio. ICO is best for Website favicons and Windows application icons.

Quick Verdict

AVIF Best for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio

✓ Best compression for images
✓ Supports lossy and lossless
✓ HDR and wide color gamut
✗ Slow encoding

Convert AVIF to ICO →

ICO Best for Website favicons and Windows application icons

✓ Multiple sizes in one file
✓ Transparency support
✓ Required for website favicons
✗ Limited to small sizes

Convert ICO to AVIF →

Specs Comparison

Side-by-side technical comparison of AVIF and ICO

Feature	AVIF	ICO
Category	Image	Image
Year Introduced	2019	1985
MIME Type	image/avif	image/x-icon
Extensions	.avif	.ico
Lossy	✓	✗
Lossless	✓	✓
Transparency	✓	✓
Animation	✓	✗
Max Color Depth	12-bit	32-bit
Hdr	✓	✗

Pros & Cons

AVIF

Pros

✓ Best compression for images
✓ Supports lossy and lossless
✓ HDR and wide color gamut

Cons

✗ Slow encoding
✗ Limited editor support
✗ Newer format with growing adoption

ICO

Pros

✓ Multiple sizes in one file
✓ Transparency support
✓ Required for website favicons

Cons

✗ Limited to small sizes
✗ Windows-centric
✗ Outdated for modern web (use PNG/SVG)

When to Use Each

Choose AVIF when...

You need files optimized for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio
Best compression for images
Supports lossy and lossless
You need lossless quality

Choose ICO when...

You need files optimized for Website favicons and Windows application icons
Multiple sizes in one file
Transparency support
You need lossless quality

How to Convert

Convert between AVIF and ICO for free on ChangeThisFile

Convert AVIF to ICO Runs in your browser — files never leave your device Convert ICO to AVIF Runs in your browser — files never leave your device

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between AVIF and ICO?

AVIF is best for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio, while ICO is best for Website favicons and Windows application icons. Both are image formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.

Is AVIF or ICO better for image?

It depends on your use case. AVIF is better for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio. ICO is better for Website favicons and Windows application icons. Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.

How do I convert AVIF to ICO?

Go to the AVIF to ICO converter on ChangeThisFile. The conversion runs entirely in your browser — your file never leaves your device. It's free with no signup required.

Can I convert ICO to AVIF?

Yes. ChangeThisFile supports ICO to AVIF conversion. The conversion runs in your browser with no upload required.

Which is smaller, AVIF or ICO?

File size depends on the content and compression settings. AVIF uses lossy compression for smaller files. ICO preserves full quality. For the smallest files, choose the format with lossy compression that meets your quality needs.

Does AVIF support lossy?

Yes, AVIF supports lossy, but ICO does not. This may be important depending on your use case.

Is AVIF or ICO free to use?

Both AVIF and ICO are supported file formats that are free to use. You can convert between them for free on ChangeThisFile — browser-based conversions have no limits and your files never leave your device.

Which format is newer, AVIF or ICO?

AVIF is newer — it was introduced in 2019, while ICO dates back to 1985. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.