JPEG remains one of the most widely recognized formats for photographs, while WebP was built with modern web delivery in mind. Both can use lossy compression, but they differ in features and typical workflow.
Compression
Both formats can reduce photographic file size by discarding information. WebP often gives web developers more room to balance quality and size, but the result depends heavily on the encoder, quality setting and image content.
Transparency
JPEG does not support transparent pixels. WebP does. If the same asset needs photographic compression and transparency, WebP can avoid the need for a separate PNG version.
Compatibility
JPEG remains extremely useful when images must move through many kinds of software, devices and external workflows. WebP support is strong in modern web environments, but an older desktop application or specialized workflow may still expect JPEG.
Which should you choose?
For images served primarily through a modern website, WebP is often worth testing. For files that must be opened almost anywhere with minimal surprises, JPEG remains a dependable choice. Many sites keep a high-quality source and generate delivery formats as needed instead of treating one compressed export as the master file.