Image Compressor Tools To Optimize Images
Photos and images take up a big part of many websites today. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a site without any photos at all! Aesthetic as they may be, they also take up a huge space on your server. The trick then, is to compress them so they load fast, without compromising on quality.
Why compress images?
The main reason to compress your photos is so they load quickly with your website.
There’s no shortage of image compressor tools or image optimizers on the Web. If you’re running your blog or website on WordPress, there are also handy plugins to help you do the work automatically. But what if you’re not?
Don’t worry, this collection of the best image compression tools will work on just about any platform, from BlogSpot, Tumblr, to Wix.
Best Image Compressor Tools and Plugins
1. JPEG Compressor
This tool requires no download or installation. Simply go to their site, upload a file, and wait until you can save the result. After inputting your desired parameters, just click on ‘Optimize Photo’ and wait for a few seconds. A preview of the optimized image will appear on screen. Right-click on it and select ‘Save As’.
2. Compressor.io
For those who are concerned about possibly losing image quality, then this tool is for you. With the ability to reduce file sizes up to 90 percent, it’s a great app to bookmark for future tasks.
3. Smush.it
This tool by Stoyan Stefanov and Nicole Sullivan gives you three options to reduce image size. The first one allows you to upload to the browser and optimize from there. You can pick how many fields you want if you need to upload more than one.
4. Trimage
For those who are more tech savvy – especially if you’re working on macOS, Ubuntu, or Linux – then this cross-platform app is for you.
5. OptimiZilla
Feel free to upload up to 20 files at a time. The best part is it gives you a side-by-side comparison so you can see if the quality has changed. Once you’re happy with the result, download the compressed photo and enjoy!
6. GiftOfSpeed
Aside from being a website speed test tool, they also offer all kinds of services to make your work cut out for you. A few of the tools you can use include: JPEG compressor, PNG compressor, Caching Test, Javascript compressor, CSS compressor, and an Image Optimization Test.
7. Resize Photos
Got only a few minutes to update your blog or retail site? Then this tool may come in handy for you. So don’t forget to bookmark for future use!
8. CompressNow
It’s always a good idea to have a list of helpful image optimizers, particularly for work or for your personal online projects. This free image compressor is one thing to add to that list. In just three simple steps, you can reduce image size based on what you’re comfortable with. First step is to upload files or drag-and-drop them to the site.
9. PNGGauntlet
Working mostly with PNGs? Then this image size reducer app, developed by Benjamin Hollis, is for you. A big downside is that regardless of whether you’re a Windows, Mac, or Linux user, you’d need to download the software first before you can use it.
10. Shrink Pictures
Just upload a photo, select the new maximum image dimension (this could be in pixels, in percentage, or enter a custom number), set a resized image quality (choose from Good, Better, Best), and click the Resize button. You can also apply an effect is you like (the tool only has Sepia or Greyscale).
11. Optimole (WordPress plugin)
This cloud-based image manipulation service will help you manage and resize your photos so your website runs smoother and faster. And because it’s cloud-based, there’s no strain on your server.
12. Imagify (also available as WordPress plugin)
It can be hard to find a free plugin to help you optimize your website images nowadays as most of them require fees. But this tool has a free version that lets you compress images below 2MB.
13. ImageRecycle (also available as WordPress plugin)
This image and PDF compression tool is a great must-gave for website owners and bloggers. They support a variety of CMS apps, including WordPress, Joomla, Magento, and Drupal.
14. Tinypng (also available as WordPress plugin)
What makes them different is their ability to support partially transparent images. You can upload up to 20 images at once, at 5MB each. You can also use this tool on most browsers, as well as on your mobile.
15. Kraken (also available as WordPress plugin)
Got lots of pictures you want compressed? Then head on over to this bulk image optimizer. It supports JPEG, PNG, and animated GIF files. Another advantage is that it allows you to upload a ZIP of your images, as well as import images from Dropbox and Google Drive, which is pretty neat.
