SVG and PS file types are commonly used in graphic design, website development, and office or home setup. Nonetheless, because both formats are used daily, preferring one format over the other implies forgoing the best and most important features the different file types offer.
The article establishes the similarities and differences between SVG vs. PS, including structure, performance, storage needs, transparency and animation support, file size, image quality, compression method, and web browser support.
When is SVG better than PS?
SVG images are less detailed, smaller, highly web-responsive, support animation, transparency, and universally supported by nearly all web browsers, while PS images are very detailed, uncompressed, larger, less web-responsive, and not widely supported by most web browsers.
The SVG file type is ideal for making sharp, specialized, lively, and interactive content, images, charts, and different application icons that promptly update.
The benefits of SVG vector images include being highly scalable while ensuring resolution levels, being easily edited, supporting animation and transparency, and being smaller and consuming fewer bytes.
When is PS better than SVG?
PS images are high-quality and high-resolution and compatible with most operating systems, while SVG images are slightly low-quality and incompatible with Linux and mobile operating systems like iOS and Android.
The PS file type is ideal for vector illustration in comic art, icons, and creating company logos, as well as in commercial offset printing and desktop printing. The benefits of PS files include high-resolution levels, high quality, and device-independent.
PS versus SVG Comparison Table
| Element | PS | SVG |
| Transparency | Does not support transparency | Supports transparency |
| File Size | Larger files than SVG files. | Smaller files compared to PS files |
| Image Quality | High-quality images. | High-quality images. |
| Performance | Loads slower on websites compared to SVG. | Loads faster on websites compared to SVG. |
| Structure | Vector-Based: Has file header, mask, color mode data, layer data, and image information. | Vector-based: Has a XML markup language and XML code defining texts, shapes, colors, and paths. |
| Animation | Does not support animations. | Supports animations. |
| Storage | Larger and needs more storage space than SVG. | Smaller with less storage space demands than PS. |
| Compression | Uncompressed files. | Supports lossless compressions. |
| Browser Support | Limited web browser support compared to SVG. | Supported by nearly all web browsers. |
Differences and similarities between SVG and PS images
SVG and PS files are vector graphics with almost identical image quality. However, according to the table above, which compares SVG versus PS, both formats differ in compression technique, file size, structure, web browser support, storage demands, web performance, animation, and transparency support.
Transparency
SVG extensions support transparent backgrounds or alpha channel transparency, while PS files do not. Nevertheless, PS files can be partially translucent or transparent, displaying their images as opaque and transparent pixels. The translucent PS image extensions are known as masks.
In contrast, SVG uses lossless compression that allows different transparency levels. SVG has the 'default' transparent background with features, names, and precise functions. It is built on transparent HML and enables the creation of transparent images that are easily embedded over different web elements.
File Size
SVG files are smaller and less detailed than PS files. Whereas SVG files support lossless compression, PS files are info-rich and uncompressed. A PS file has a maximum file size limit of 4GB, while SVG files have no definite file size limits, but the compression method significantly reduces its file sizes by 20-50%.
Image Quality
PS and SVG images are high-quality, although PS is more detailed and supports extra color profiles, which gives the format an edge over SVG regarding image quality. While SVG is not bitmapped, PS files support 1-bit, 2-bit, 4-bit, and 8-bit pixels per channel alongside RGB, Grayscale, CIE, and CMYK color spaces.
Both formats are scalable upward or downward without losing resolution levels and image quality. Besides, the uncompressed PS and the lossless SVG files preserve all image data and do not suffer any compression artifacts, depicting their high-quality statures.
Performance
PS files remain uncompressed, while SVG files support lossless compression with gzip algorithms. As such, SVG files are smaller, consume fewer bytes, load faster online, and increase transmission efficiency than PS. PostScript files are larger, preserve detailed image data, and slow the file transmission.
SVG files optimize search engines and enhance online user experience compared to the PS file format. Website developers, graphic designers, and other users should choose the SVG file format over the PS file type for better web performance.
Structure
PS and SVG are vector-based file types with different structural components that are easy to compare. PS file extensions have headers, image data, color mode data, layer information, and a mask, among other file details. The header contains information about the PS file: the resolution level, version type, and number.
Conversely, the SVG extensions store images based on mathematical formulas describing and filing on grid lines, points, curves, and shapes. The format uses the XML markup language or code to define, specify, store, and transfer its vector-based graphics, including all digital information, texts, shapes, colors, and paths. The XML code can be inserted directly into HTML documents or XML texts or embedded and stored in the SVG file.
Animation
SVG files can be animated, which is impossible with PS file extensions. The SVG file extension comprises markup code that supports and displays animations. The format uses JavaScript, which is integral to the markup feature, allowing SVG extensions to support animations or lively content through scripting or CSS.
In contrast, PS files are intended for still imagery or web-based content as they lack multimedia and interactive specifications necessary for animations or lively content compared to SVG files. PS is unsuitable for creating interactive images and animations but preferred for screen-based content and printing.
Storage
PS files are information-rich, very detailed, and uncompressed, resulting in larger files than SVG files. The PS file type stores data as programmed layouts, graphics, and texts, necessitating more storage space or memory than lossless SVG files.
While both formats differ in file sizes and storage demands, their image data can last forever with proper handling, good storage conditions, and the correct storage mediums. SVG and PS files can be stored indefinitely in Content Delivery Networks, Cloud, File Systems, Hard Drives, and Base64 Encoding.
Compression
SVG format supports lossless compression, whereas PS files are uncompressed or do not need any compression method, either lossy or lossless. SVG’s lossless compression minimizes file size while preserving image details, leading to higher quality retention.
SVG images compressed using the gzip algorithm produce 20-50% smaller images than the original file. On the other hand, PS users hardly need to design the plotter to use open compression techniques, preserving all file details and making its files comparatively larger than SVG.
Browser Support
SVG and PS file types are legacy image formats widely used in web development and graphic design, among other uses. However, SVG files enjoy broader web browser support than PS files. The PS format surpasses SVG in terms of operating system compatibility and support.
SVG files are supported mainly by legacy and modern web browsers such as Vivaldi, Safari, Samsung Internet, Discord, Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Edge, and Brave. The file format is also supported by all versions of Internet Explorer except IE 8. On the other hand, PS has limited web browser support.
Nearly all web browsers hardly support PS files directly. PS format users must install the PostScript Viewer or Compiler to their web browsers to open and view PS files in Chrome. The remaining top desktop and mobile browsers do not support PS files, giving SVG a competitive advantage over PS format.
Converting SVG to PS or PS to SVG
Convertjack is the finest and direct online tool to convert SVG to PS. People prefer PS files because they are scalable, detailed, high-quality, and supported by most devices, platforms, and software programs. This ensures high-quality output when doing specialized setups or home office printing.
Convertjack is a reliable online PS to SVG converter that creates smaller, transparent, and highly web-efficient SVG files with inherent support for animations, minimal storage space demands, wider web browser support, and a better online user experience.