ICNS and GIF formats have changed the digital image domain operations, and their unique features cannot be assumed when choosing a file type. Both formats are widely applicable in web development and graphic design, and each file type is considered ideal for a specific project or area based on the user's needs.
The article discusses ICNS vs. GIF regarding web performance, structure, compression method, file size, image quality, web browser support, transparency, animation, and storage needs.
When is GIF better than ICNS?
GIF images are extensively supported and very compatible with almost all platforms, devices, Operating Systems, and web browsers, while ICNS images are not broadly supported by most platforms and web browsers and hardly function in non-MacOS devices and programs.
GIF format is ideal for creating crude logos and website graphics, such as simple animations, funny clips, and speechless video impressions.
When is ICNS better than GIF?
ICNS images are high-resolution and can be displayed at varying sizes in the macOS graphical user interface, while GIF images are low-resolution and become indistinct with upward or downward scaling.
An ICNS file format permits easy editing and is scalable up or down at varying screen limits. It is ideal for creating high-quality, sharp, visually appealing, unique application icons, desktop shortcuts, and photos.
ICNS versus GIF Comparison Table
| Element | ICNS | GIF |
| Transparency | Supports transparency. | Supports transparency. |
| File Size | Smaller files compared to GIF files. | Larger files compared to ICNS files. |
| Image Quality | High-quality images than GIF images. | Low-quality images than ICNS images. |
| Performance | Decreased image loading times than GIF. | Increased image loading times than ICNS. |
| Structure | Raster-based: Starts with a header and ends with the binary icon data. | Raster graphics: Starts with a header and ends with a trailer block. |
| Animation | Supports animations or lively content. | Supports animation or animated content. |
| Storage | Smaller and needs less storage space than GIF. | Larger and needs more storage space than ICNS. |
| Compression | Supports PackBits and lossless compression. | Supports lossless compression. |
| Browser Support | Limited browser support compared to GIF. | Wider web browser support compared to ICNS. |
Differences and similarities between GIF and ICNS images
GIF and ICNS are flexible file formats that support animations, transparency, and lossless compression. Comparing GIF versus ICNS files reveals differences in structure, storage needs, performance, file size, image quality, PackBits compression, and web browser support.
Transparency
GIF and ICNS files support alpha channel transparency. The ICNS file extension has different images in PNG format, which is handy as a base for the ICNS as it allows transparency. ICNS extension supports 1-bit and 8-bit alpha channels.
In contrast, GIF through GIF89a format supports alpha channel transparency, allowing one of the palette colors to be ignored and visibly arranged. Its alpha channel simultaneously processes the image to be displayed on a device and its transparent backgrounds, offering such images a professional appearance.
File Size
ICNS file sizes range from 4KB to 660KB and can store multiple images of different sizes and color depths for use as icons on macOS. GIF file sizes can vary from 2MB to 3 MB. ICNS files use lossless compression to preserve image quality, while GIF files use lossless LZW compression. Therefore, the file sizes for ICNS can be generally smaller than GIF files, depending on their specific content and usage.
Image Quality
ICNS files are high-quality, whereas GIF files are low-resolution and low-quality. GIF supports 8 bits per color channel, while an ICNS file supports 1-bit and 8-bit alpha channels. Besides, GIF has a limited color depth, supporting only RGB, but ICNS supports RGB, sRGB, gAMA, IHDR, and ARGB color profiles.
Performance
GIF stores multiple files, each 2-3MB in size, while an ICNS file can also store multiple files, each weighing 26KB to 660 KB. Thus, GIFs are larger and less web-responsive than ICNS files. ICNS files load faster online, consume fewer bytes, and enhance the online user experience.
Structure
GIF and ICNS files are bitmapped, but the differences in structural modules make them difficult to compare. For example, an ICNS file has a file header and binary icon data. Its file extension header comprises 8 bytes of data, with four for the magic literal and four for the file length.
The ICNS icon specifies the file size and type stored in the icon data section, followed by the binary image data. The file size describes the size of the binary section. Conversely, a GIF file has a fixed-length header with GIF89a or GIF87a. It has a logical and fixed-length screen descriptor and file version.
The version specifies features, and the logical screen scales in pixels. GIF's image module has a fixed-length picture descriptor and image data with one byte offering the unencoded icon width. GIF also has a list with sub-blocks defining data encrypted using the LZW algorithms.
The extension block has a byte and a related list with a subblock for the applicable image data. The image data and extension blocks use the allied lists, including various subblocks ending with a zero-byte subblock.
Animation
GIF and ICNS file types integrally support animations and lively content or animated images. ICNS has icon features that allow computer apps and website icons to be customized. Animated ICNS uses 1- and 8-bit alpha channels, which are ideal for visually sharp and presentable animations.
GIF supports animation through GIF89a, which has specifications with many enhancers to allow web browsers to display different GIF files and images in a scheduled sequence. The frames and images can be joined together to create simple animations.
Storage
GIF stores lossless compressed data using the LZW algorithm, whereas ICNS uses PackBits algorithms to compress and store data. Both formats store multiple files; each GIF file is 2-3MB, while a single ICNS file is 26-660 KB. Thus, multiple GIF files are larger and need more storage than ICNS files.
GIF and ICNS files can last indefinitely with proper handling, under good storage conditions, and using the best storage mediums, including File Systems, Cloud, Hard Drives, Folders, PPackageContents, Icon directories, Content Delivery Networks (CDN), and Base64 encoding.
Compression
GIF files support lossless compression, while ICNS files use PackBits and lossless compression to transform some sections of the pixel data. The ICNS with 24-bit RGB and ARGB pixel data are compressed per color channel using PackBits.
Conversely, GIF uses the Lempel Ziv Welch (LZW) algorithms, which preserve all image data. The LZW algorithms compress images by changing color space, blending local palettes, exchanging alpha channels, predicting pixels, and assimilating many pixels in a single pixel. Therefore, GIF's LZW uses repeated image data streams to resourcefully store basic graphical images using flat colors.
Browser Support
GIF is universally supported by almost all web browsers, while ICNS has limited browser support. GIF is supported by new and old web browsers, namely Vivaldi, Chrome, Discord, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Brave, Samsung Internet, Internet Explorer, and Edge.
ICNS is compatible with and supported by Chrome and Firefox. However, the file format is unsupported by web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Samsung, Internet, Edge, Discord, Vivaldi, Brave, Opera, and Safari. Thus, it is recommended that users choose GIF instead of ICNS for universal web browser compatibility.
Convert GIF to ICNS or ICNS to GIF
Convert GIF to ICNS using a reliable online tool called Convertjack. ICNS files are smaller, high-quality, easily edited, and can be displayed maximally on different screen sizes without losing resolution levels.
Convertjack is the best ICNS to GIF converter. Most web browsers support GIF files, which are compatible with various applications and programs.