Images compression plays an important aspect in making photos ready for web use. Here are some great apps and tools to aid in compressing your pictures.

You've captured an amazing sunset taking in the Himalayan Mountains as well as a ringing of birds encircling the corner of the frame. What an image! You're dying to get down, create a 500-word article, and share your stunning pictures. However, after you've published your article, you take a test drive of your blog's site and notice it's loading slowly. There's a key step that's causing the slowdown of your page's speed --- image compression.

Why Image Compression Matters

What is Image Compression?

When an image is compressan picture to be used on the internet, you use a tool or app to make the file size smaller. Size of files decreases with the help of an application or script or a program that removes information from the image or resizing the image.

What is File Size ?

The aim that is a part of picture compression is to reduce the file size to avoid burdening your web site. The size of your image's files is an indicator of how much space it takes up in a storage device either on the SD card of your camera or your computer, or on your website.

The size of a file is measured in the number of bytes. Big photos can be as large as one megabyte (MB), while an image compressed could be smaller than a few Kilobytes (KB).

Why is it Important to Compress Images for the Web?

Compressing images increases page speed while also creating an image with clarity. Image via Alliance Images.

There are two main reasons why you should always compress images before uploading them to the internet.

• The reduction in size of files boosts page speed. It is not a good idea for your page's landing pages to be bigger than 2 MB. Optimizing your images can make the site load quicker, which in turn improves your search engine ranking. Making sure your images and web pages as small as possible allows your site to load in a matter of seconds. A majority of mobile users will abandon your site entirely if it doesn't take three seconds to load. Your pages will also require less storage available on your website's server, and will use less bandwidth.
• If you are able to properly optimize your image and utilize the images in the appropriate context, you won't notice any drop in quality. As long as you're using one of the tools below to ensure that your pixel dimensions are in good shape, and that you start from a rich, detailed image. The optimized photos will appear nearly the same as the originals at just a tiny fraction of the size of the file.

What Are Web-Friendly File Types?

Choosing the right file type depends depending on what you're compressing. Image via Maxim Cherednichenko.

In most cases, you'll need raster images comprised of a bitmap of colored tiles called pixels. The three most widely used raster file types used online consist of JPEG, PNG, and GIF.

JPEG files are excellent to use for photographs and images. JPEGs employ lossy compression, meaning they compromise the image's data in order to reduce file size. PNG files are much larger because they utilize lossless compression, which preserves the entire image information. PNGs work best with photographs with sharp geometric designs because the curves and lines render more clean. GIF images use only 256 colors, making them the ideal choice for animated images , but not much else. GIFs utilize lossless compression.

We're pleased to announce that we've written a complete guide for the most suitable image formats available on online use, so that you can pick the proper kind of image before using the tool below for compression of images.

Online Tools to Compress Images for the Web

Maximize the quality of your images by selecting the best online compression tool. Screenshot via Kraken. Image via mirtmirt.

Simple, yet efficient image compression tools exist on the internet. Browse the sites listed below that allow you to compress JPEGs, PNGs, and other image files.

Shutterstock Editor

Online compression tools are excellent for editing images. Image via Alexey Boldin.

Our online tool for editing images includes an intuitive feature for compressing photos to ensure that your photo is ready for publication on the web. Choose the option between JPEG and PNG images and then download them at 72 DPI in order to optimize them for web use.

• Professionals - Shutterstock Editor provides a number of options and features along with compression for images to make sure your image is prominent when it is correctly sized, and uploaded in a suitable quality. Choosing the right setting when downloading your photo is simple.
• Cons The size of the files may not be as small than they are with advanced image compression software.

Kraken.io

Kraken.io which is a favorite choice is a no-cost online image optimizer as well as a cost-effective "PRO" version. Users can select among lossy or lossless, and professional compression. Contrary to other online compression tools, Kraken optimizes your images to reduce the size of your images to the minimum possible.

• Professionals -The HTML0 Pros - Kraken.io, you can upload images through Box, Google Drive, or Dropbox. With the free version, you can compress images up to 32 megabytes in size. Kraken.io works quickly even with using the no-cost plan.
• Cons -- You'll need to upgrade to the paid version in order to use multiple image sources, resize images, or compress the size of more than 100 MB of images.

TinyPNG

Specialized in PNG along with JPEG pictures, TinyPNG is one the oldest methods of compressing images. It's also among the most frequently used. Upload up to twenty images simultaneously, and up to one-hundred in any month, and without paying a cent.

• Benefits --- TinyPNG consistently reduces image size by roughly seventy percent. The interface is simple to navigate, and there's a WordPress plugin, if you decide this is the right software for you.
• Contraints -The HTML0 version of TinyPNG makes use of lossy compression, which shouldn't be a problem for everyone, but it's not optimal for all apps. There aren't any features above image compression.

JPEG Optimizer

If you're working only with JPEGsthen this could be the right tool for you. JPEG Optimizer has a clean interface, and is a reliable method of compressing JPEGs intended for the web.

• Pros - Pros - JPEGOptimizer provides you with ability to adjust the size of images before optimizing them for use on the internet. You can choose an optimization rate between zero to ninety-nine to find the balance between the quality of the display and the file size. And, it's completely free!
• Cons Cons name suggests, this tool only works only with JPEGs. You'll need to find a different alternative for PNG, GIF, and SVG files.

Compressor.io

Compressor.io is compatible with PNG, JPEG, GIF, and SVG files, making it a flexible and reliable alternative. It's totally free, but you are able to support the creators through the help of a PayPal donation.

• Pros -- Compressor.io frequently reduces the size of images by 90 percent and still maintains high quality. It allows you to select between lossy and non-lossless compressions for greater control. Results are usually reliable, regardless of file format.
• A few cons --- Compressor.io only optimizes one image at a given time as such, therefore bulk compression isn't possible. Also, there is no preview window. The features are limited, but it works fine.

Optimizilla

What a clever name! Optimizilla lets you compress batch of more than twenty pictures simultaneously and also supports JPEG and PNG file formats.

• Pros The online tool has a slider, so you can effortlessly preview what your images will look after compression. You can adjust the slider as high as you'd like to reduce the size of the file, without suffering some loss in image quality.
• Cons The Consthe Cons - Optimizilla is free and functions effectively, so expect to endure a small amount of banner ads featuring buttons such as "Convert" and "Start Now" that attempt to lure you away from the application.

Desktop Apps to Compress Images for the Web

Control image compression on your laptop. Screenshot with JPEGmini app. Image via RAY-BON.

Designers, editors and creators employ software to accomplish image compression using the comfort of their desktops. Here are the most popular options to consider.

JPEGmini

For reducing the size of JPEG images you can use JPEGmini's aptly named JPEGmini? This functional tool substantially shrinks the file in size JPEG images and has elegant, crisp interface that describes how to compress the size of a JPEG.

• The pros -- The practical slider tool examines the original image and an optimized version as you're working. The batch resize feature allows you to alter the size of images at any given time it's a wonderful added benefit. The Creator version comes with Photoshop as well as Lightroom plugins.
• Cons -- In what probably won't be a shock this program only optimizes JPEG files. Do you need something that can work with PNG files? Then may we recommend:

PNGGauntlet

This Windows tool is, rightly therefore, adored by all who utilize it. PNGGauntlet can produce the smallest PNG file size that is possible without compromising the quality of the file through PNGOUT, OptiPNG, or techniques like DeflOpt.

• Pros -- PNGGauntlet has the ability to transform any image into PNG format, including JPEG, BMP, TIFF, and GIF files. This impressive optimization produces files that are web-friendly even for large images. The interface is simple and the application is simple to use.
• Contraints -The PNGGauntlet can only be used on Windows devices. As the name implies, this tool only produces PNG files.

ImageOptim

ImageOptim uses lossless compression to prepare images and photographs for publication online. Many bloggers use ImageOptim to increase their site's speed. This app can be described as the Apple equivalent to PNGGauntlet.

• The pros - Pros - ImageOptim is open-source, free, and committed to accessibility. It's compatible with PNG, JPEG, and GIF file formats. The intuitive, easy-to use application is user-friendly and won't make beginners nervous.
• Cons The app is only compatible with Mac computers. It will also eliminate the metadata of your image to reduce the file size. You will lose information like geolocation.

RIOT

RIOT, or the Radical Image Optimization Tool, is a sophisticated free image editor and image compressor that gives you the flexibility to adjust various parameters.

• Pros It is the free software that is recommended for those who wish to adjust the contrast and gamma, color brightness, and metadata settings in addition to altering the file size. The software can also optimize JPEG, GIF, and PNG images in batches , to help save time.
• Cons The user interface is reasonably easy to navigate. Still, the features and options could be overwhelming for those looking for a simple and swift compression tool to use for their blogs or other daily uses.

Mobile Apps to Compress Images for the Web

Edit your images with the help of a range of mobile apps. Screenshot via Photo Compress - Shrink Pics. Image via SizeSquares.

Smartphones are an integral aspect of our lives. Designers and other creative professionals are able to compress images and optimize them for internet usage, without firing up the computer. These are the top mobile apps for image compression.

JPEG Optimizer PRO with PDF Support

The Android app has the clever trick of compressing images and, in some instances, improving the quality of images. The app can also convert images to PDF. This can be advantageous in certain cases even if it is not used for uploading on the web.

• Benefits -- When compressing your photos, the app implements a unique ISO Noise Optimization Algorithm to improve the quality of the image. You can compress images using a variety of formats. This includes more obscure options like PDF and ZIP files.
• Cons Certain users claim that the menu could be buggy, making navigation difficult. The app is cheap however, there's no free version available at the moment.

Bulk Image Compressor

If you're using an Android smartphone and are searching for an app that's free to compress images there's nothing better than the Bulk Image Compressor. The app is simple and reliable. provides bulk compression to a number of images in real-time.

• Pros users can share compressed images directly from the app. The app includes a full-screen image viewer that can finish bulk compression quickly.
• Cons -- This application is only available to Android users. Because the app is free it does not have some features found in paid compression software.

Photo Compress - Shrink Pics

The iOS app reduces the size of images stored on your iPhone to allow room for additional files, which optimizes images for sharing on Whatsapp, Facebook, and Instagram, all without sacrificing quality. Select between a no-cost version and an upgrade with more features.

• Pros -- Users can choose to compress images in large quantities. Additionally, you have the option to change the final image size. The preview feature prevents you from degrading the quality to the point that you won't be able to share the image.
• Cons It is the version that you can download for free. Photo Compress - Shrink Pics offers limited functionality. The bulk compression feature could take quite a while, depending on your disk space. This application is only available for JPEG images.

PhotoShrinker

PhotoShrinker can be described as an Apple exclusive. The app is similar to Photo Compress - Shrink Pics. With PhotoShrinker it is possible to compress photographs on your iPhone as well as iPad in one-tenth their original size.

• Pros PhotoShrinker features an entire preview mode, thus there's no surprises when you optimize. This program does an outstanding job of decreasing file size but keeping the quality essentially the same. The interface is easy to navigate for beginners as well as pros.
• Cons • PhotoShrinker is a premium app and therefore you aren't able to access its features without cost. Additionally, you can only make optimizations of fifty images at per time.

Plugins to Compress Images for the Web

Convert images using plugin software. Screenshot via ShortPixel. Images via pikcha.

Integrate these plugins into WordPress to allow you to automatically compress images when you upload images to your website. But, don't depend on these plugins to transform your images for web. For instance, you should not upload a 3MB photo to WordPress.

ShortPixel

In terms of performance, ShortPixel stands above the crowd. The numbers prove it the powerful program can reduce up to two-thirds of your images' file sizes without dropping the quality.

• Pros The HTML0 Pros ShortPixel has three options for compression and delivers tiny files that still look gorgeous online. ShortPixel allows you to change images to WebP format and enables you to enhance up to 1,000 images each month.
• Cons Users may experience difficulty installing the API keys difficult. If you decide to remove ShortPixel, you must also take the time to manually delete your backups. The freemium model means you pay more in the event that you optimize thumbnails.

Imagify Image Optimizer

This WordPress plugin is advertised as "the most advanced tool to optimize images." With the bulk optimization feature enabled, users can select from three compression settings. If you're unhappy with the quality of a particular image, you can one-click restore it.

• Positives ( Pros) Imagify can be used with WooCommerce, NextGen Gallery, and WP Retina. Imagify compresses photos on their external servers, making sure your site won't be slow. It also offers options for deleting the original image and resizing larger ones.
• Cons In the case of an account that is free You're restricted to 25MB per month of the original image size.

Optimole

Optimole is a non-interactive plugin, which can automate this process image compression. One reason Optimole stands out from the crowd is the automatic reduction of image quality when the user has a poor internet connection.

• Advantages ( Pros) Optimole is completely cloud-based and doesn't require any effort on your part. The plugin provides images in the appropriate size based on the browser of the user and their viewport. This feature helps to make your website load quickly on every device.
• Cons -- There are two tiers of plans. It is recommended to upgrade on the plan that is premium if require more processing capacity or bandwidth. A little troubleshooting is required in order to avoid problems with different plugins.

WP Smush

WP Smush is available both as an free plugin and an premium paid plugin. It can bulk "smush" up to fifty images simultaneously, and you can also manually compress each image individually as well.

• Advantages - WP Smush utilizes lossless compression. It works by stripping all information hidden within image files by reducing their size without sacrificing quality. The plugin also scans images that you've added to the site to compress in addition. WP Smush works on JPEG, PNG, and GIF files.
• Cons There is no way to "super smush" images without the premium version of the plugin. In other words, you're not able to compress your images down to their smallest sizes in the free version.