PNG Versus JPG for Screenshots

A comparison of PNG versus JPG for screenshots. The following screenshots were taken and saved using Windows 10 Snipping Tool and TechSmith Snagit screen capturing utilities.

A screenshot from PLDT web admin page used for PNG and JPG screenshot comparison — Screenshot taken with Windows 10 Snipping Tool
File Format: PNG
File Size: 27 kb

Image taken from the admin page of PLDT router for PNG and JPG comparison — Screenshot taken with Windows 10 Snipping Tool
File Format: JPG
File Size: 51 kb

Screenshot from PLDT router web admin taken with windows 10 snipping tool. — Screenshot taken with TechSmith Snagit
File Format: PNG
File Size: 32 kb

Another screenshot of PLDT router administrative web interface for image comparison — Screenshot taken with TechSmith Snagit
File Format: JPG
File Size: 74 kb

Comparison of File Sizes (kb)

Screen Capture Tool	PNG	JPG
Snipping Tool	27	51
Snagit	32	74

Combining Images with Snagit

An annotation combined with Snipping Tool logo and Snagit logo

The Snipping Tool logo was combined with a Snagit logo. Both logo files were 9 kb JPG files. It was later annotated with the word “Screenshots” at the top. The resulting image was used as a Feature Image for this WordPress post.

Image Editor	PNG	JPG
Snagit	98	61

Conclusion

Looking at the table above (Comparison of File Sizes), screenshot images saved in PNG format is significantly smaller in size with respect to the images stored using the JPG file format.

Although the screenshots stored as PNG files were smaller than its JPG counterparts, combining images using Snagit resulted in a smaller JPG file.

References for PNG Versus JPG for Screenshots

Windows 10 Snipping Tool

TechSmith Snagit