Search for a HEIC to JPG converter and you’ll find hundreds. Some upload your photos to unknown servers, some cap you at a few files a day, and a few don’t really convert at all. Here’s how the popular options compare, and which is best for different needs.
Disclosure: ConvertHEICto is our own tool. We’ve included it alongside the alternatives and tried to be fair about where others are a better fit.
Comparison at a glance
| Converter | Type | Uploads photos? | Batch | Free limits | Keeps date taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConvertHEICto | Browser (runs locally) | No | Yes, ZIP download | None | Yes; GPS removed by default |
| CloudConvert | Online service | Yes | Yes | Daily free quota | Usually |
| iMazing HEIC Converter | Desktop (Mac, Windows) | No | Yes | None | Optional |
| CopyTrans HEIC | Windows plugin | No | Yes (right-click) | Free for home use | Yes |
| macOS Finder / Preview | Built in | No | Yes | None | Yes |
| Windows Photos / Paint | Built in (needs codecs) | No | No | None | Paint: no |
ConvertHEICto
A free converter that runs entirely in your browser: the photos are decoded and re-encoded on your device, so nothing is uploaded and there are no daily limits. It handles batches with a ZIP download, applies rotation correctly, keeps the date and camera info, strips GPS location by default, and preserves the iPhone’s Display P3 color profile. It also outputs PNG, PDF, WebP, AVIF, GIF, TIFF and BMP.
Best for: anyone who wants a quick, private conversion on any device — including iPhones, Chromebooks and work PCs. Try it: HEIC to JPG.
CloudConvert
A long-running online conversion service that supports hundreds of formats and offers an API for developers. It’s capable and reliable, but your files are uploaded to its servers for processing, and the free tier has a daily conversion quota (check its pricing page for the current figure). Paid plans raise the limits.
Best for: converting many different file types beyond images, or automating conversions via API.
iMazing HEIC Converter
A free desktop app from the makers of iMazing, available for Mac and Windows. Drag in HEIC files, choose JPEG or PNG, set the quality, and decide whether to keep EXIF metadata. Because it runs locally, photos stay on your computer, and it works offline.
Best for: Windows users who want an offline app without installing Microsoft’s codecs.
CopyTrans HEIC for Windows
A Windows plugin that adds HEIC thumbnails to File Explorer and a right-click Convert to JPEG option. Free for home use; businesses need a license. We look at it in detail in CopyTrans HEIC for Windows: is it safe?
Best for: Windows users who handle HEIC files regularly and like right-click workflows.
Built-in tools on Mac and Windows
Macs need nothing extra: Finder’s Convert Image quick action, Preview and Photos all convert HEIC to JPG for free, offline and in bulk — see How to convert HEIC to JPG on Mac. Windows Photos and Paint work too, but only after installing the HEIF and HEVC extensions — see How to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows.
What Reddit users tend to recommend
In community threads about HEIC to JPG, the advice usually boils down to three things: use the built-in tools on a Mac, avoid uploading personal photos to random websites, and change the iPhone’s transfer setting to Automatic so the problem goes away. We agree — and for everything else, a local, in-browser converter is the closest thing to a built-in tool on every platform.
How to spot a “fake” converter
Some sites and apps simply rename .heic to .jpg. The file still won’t open in most programs. A real conversion:
- produces a file that’s usually larger than the HEIC (JPG is less efficient)
- opens in basic apps such as Paint or an older photo viewer
- shows image dimensions and, ideally, the original date taken
How we’d choose
- Mac: use Finder’s Convert Image; for other formats, ConvertHEICto.
- Windows, occasionally: a browser converter — no installs.
- Windows, every day: CopyTrans HEIC or iMazing.
- iPhone/Android/Chromebook: a browser converter or the built-in iPhone Files app.
- Hundreds of files: see How to batch convert HEIC to JPG.
- Already designing in Canva? See How to convert HEIC to JPG in Canva.
- Need a PDF? See Best HEIC to PDF converters.
- Android apps? See Best HEIC to JPG apps for Android.
Features, limits and licensing of third-party tools change. Check each vendor’s site for current terms before relying on them.