AVIF vs GIF 2026: 애니메이션 이미지 90% 작게 [속도 테스트]

The End of the GIF Era

For over 30 years, GIF has been the de facto standard for web animations. Despite its severe limitations—256 colors, no alpha transparency with animation, and massive file sizes—GIF persisted due to universal browser support. But the era of GIF dominance is finally coming to an end.

AVIF animations represent a quantum leap in animated image technology. Using the same AV1 codec that powers next-generation video streaming, AVIF animations deliver stunning quality at a fraction of GIF's file size. A typical GIF can be reduced by 90% or more when converted to AVIF.

The impact on web performance is dramatic. A single animated GIF might weigh 5-10MB, consuming precious bandwidth and slowing page loads. The same animation in AVIF format typically measures under 500KB—often much less—while actually looking better due to full color support and smooth gradients.

AVIF Animation Features

AVIF animations aren't just smaller—they're fundamentally more capable than GIF.

• Full Color Support: AVIF supports up to 12-bit color depth (billions of colors) compared to GIF's 256 color palette. This means smooth gradients, accurate skin tones, and vibrant imagery.
• Alpha Transparency: Unlike GIF's binary transparency (fully opaque or fully transparent), AVIF supports 8-bit alpha channels for smooth, anti-aliased edges.
• HDR Support: AVIF animations can include High Dynamic Range content, future-proofing your animations for next-generation displays.
• Variable Frame Rates: AVIF supports variable frame timing, allowing for more sophisticated animation timing without redundant frames.
• Efficient Looping: AVIF uses inter-frame compression, meaning subsequent frames only store changes from previous frames, dramatically reducing file sizes for animations.

File Size Comparison

The file size difference between GIF and AVIF animations is staggering. Here's a real-world comparison using identical source animations:

Quality and Color Depth

The quality difference between GIF and AVIF is immediately visible, especially in animations with gradients, photographs, or subtle color variations.

GIF's 256 color limitation creates visible banding in gradients and posterization in photographs. Dithering can partially mask these issues but increases file size and creates visual noise. AVIF eliminates these problems entirely with its billions of available colors.

Alpha transparency in AVIF animations enables effects impossible with GIF. Semi-transparent overlays, smooth drop shadows, and anti-aliased edges against any background become possible. This is particularly valuable for UI animations, stickers, and branded content.

Browser Support Status

AVIF animation support has reached critical mass for mainstream adoption.

• Chrome/Chromium: Full support since version 93 (August 2021). This covers Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave, and other Chromium-based browsers.
• Firefox: Full AVIF animation support since version 113 (May 2023).
• Safari: AVIF animation support added in Safari 17 (September 2023) for macOS and iOS.
• Global Coverage: As of 2025, AVIF animations are supported by approximately 92% of global browser users.

How to Convert GIF to AVIF

Converting your existing GIF library to AVIF is straightforward with the right tools.

For individual files, our free online converter handles GIF to AVIF conversion directly in your browser. Simply upload your GIF, adjust quality settings if needed, and download the optimized AVIF animation. No software installation required.

For batch conversion or automation, command-line tools like ffmpeg provide powerful options. The conversion process preserves frame timing, loops, and can even improve quality through better color handling.

# Convert GIF to AVIF using ffmpeg
ffmpeg -i input.gif -c:v libaom-av1 -crf 30 -b:v 0 output.avif

# For higher quality (slower encoding)
ffmpeg -i input.gif -c:v libaom-av1 -crf 20 -cpu-used 4 output.avif