Best Image Compression Software for Mac in 2025 (Tested & Compared)

Quick Comparison Table

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the best image compression software for Mac in 2025:

What We Tested For

We evaluated each image compression software based on five critical factors that matter most to Mac users:

• Compression ratio — How much can it reduce file sizes while maintaining acceptable quality?
• Quality preservation — Does the compressed image look identical to the original? Can you spot the difference?
• Privacy — Does your image stay on your device, or is it uploaded to cloud servers? Critical for sensitive content.
• Ease of use — How quickly can you compress images? Is batch processing supported?
• Value for money — One-time purchase vs. subscription? What features do you get?

We tested each app with a standardized set of 50 images including photographs, graphics, screenshots, and illustrations. Let's dive into the results.

ImageTools — Best Overall

ImageTools is our top pick for Mac users in 2025. It combines powerful compression algorithms with a beautiful native Mac interface, delivering exceptional results while keeping all your files completely private.

Why It Stands Out

• 3 Compression Modes — Choose between Lossless (10-20%), Optimal (40-60%), and Extreme (60-80%) depending on your needs. The Optimal mode is perfect for most use cases.
• 100% local processing — Your images never leave your Mac. No cloud uploads, no servers, no privacy concerns. Process confidential documents without worry.
• Format conversion — Not just compression. Convert between PNG, JPEG, HEIC, and TIFF formats with a single click.
• Video compression — Unique feature: also handles video files (MP4, MOV, WebM, MKV, AVI). Reduce video sizes without separate software.
• Batch processing — Drag and drop entire folders. Process hundreds of images simultaneously.
• Before/after preview — Visual comparison shows exactly what you'll get before saving.
• One-time purchase — $9.99 and it's yours forever. No subscription, no recurring fees.
• Optimized for Apple Silicon — Blazing fast on M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs, but also works on Intel.

Compression Test Results

In our testing with 50 images:

• Lossless mode: Average 18% reduction with zero visible quality loss
• Optimal mode: Average 52% reduction with imperceptible quality difference
• Extreme mode: Average 74% reduction with minimal artifacts visible only at 400% zoom

A 5MB photo compressed to 1.3MB in Extreme mode was indistinguishable from the original in normal viewing conditions.

Who Should Use It

ImageTools is ideal for:

• Photographers managing large photo libraries
• Web developers optimizing images for faster page loads
• Content creators preparing images for social media
• Anyone who wants to save disk space
• Privacy-conscious users who don't want files uploaded anywhere
• Users who also need video compression

Pricing

Free trial: 30 operations, no credit card required. Personal license: $9.99 one-time. Team license: $45 for 5 devices. 7-day money-back guarantee.

ImageOptim — Best Free Option

ImageOptim is a popular free, open-source image compression tool for Mac. For users who only need basic compression with no budget, it's a solid starting point.

Pros

• Completely free — Open source, no purchase required
• Local processing — Images stay on your Mac
• Simple interface — Drag, drop, done
• Lossless by default — Safe compression without quality loss

Cons

• Limited compression — Typically only 20-50% reduction
• No compression modes — Can't choose aggressive compression when needed
• No format conversion — Can't convert HEIC to JPG, etc.
• No video support — Images only
• Basic interface — No preview, no before/after comparison
• Slower processing — Not optimized for Apple Silicon

Compression Test Results

ImageOptim achieved an average 32% reduction in our tests — respectable for lossless compression, but significantly less than what's possible with quality-aware lossy compression.

Who Should Use It

ImageOptim is suitable for:

• Users with zero budget
• Simple, occasional compression needs
• Those who only need lossless compression

Our take: ImageOptim is a good free tool, but its compression is limited. If you need to reduce files by 50-80% or convert formats, you'll need a more capable solution.

TinyPNG — Best Online Service

TinyPNG (also known as TinyJPG) is a popular cloud-based compression service. It offers good compression ratios through a web interface or API.

Pros

• Good compression — 50-70% reduction typical
• No software to install — Works in browser
• API available — Integrate into workflows
• Photoshop plugin — For Adobe users

Cons

• Cloud-based — All images uploaded to their servers
• Privacy concerns — Not suitable for confidential images
• Subscription pricing — $39/year for Pro features
• Limited free tier — Only 20 images/day, 5MB max
• Requires internet — No offline use
• Limited formats — PNG and JPEG only

Compression Test Results

TinyPNG achieved average 58% reduction in our tests, which is good. However, the cloud-based nature and subscription model are significant drawbacks.

Who Should Use It

TinyPNG makes sense for:

• Web developers needing API integration
• Users who don't mind cloud uploads
• Quick, occasional compressions

Our take: TinyPNG delivers good compression, but the subscription cost ($39/year) adds up, and uploading images to the cloud isn't ideal for privacy. A local app like ImageTools offers better value and privacy.

Squoosh — Best Browser Tool

Squoosh is a free, browser-based image compression tool created by Google Chrome Labs. It runs entirely in your browser with no uploads required.

Pros

• Free — No cost, no account required
• In-browser processing — Images don't leave your computer
• Visual comparison — Side-by-side before/after view
• Multiple formats — Supports WebP, AVIF output

Cons

• One image at a time — No batch processing
• Requires browser — Not a native app
• No video support — Images only
• Limited file size — Large files can crash the browser
• Manual workflow — Download each image individually

Compression Test Results

Squoosh achieved similar results to TinyPNG (55-65% reduction) with the advantage of local processing. However, the one-at-a-time workflow makes it impractical for regular use.

Who Should Use It

Squoosh is best for:

• Quick, one-off compressions
• Users who want to avoid installing software
• Testing different compression settings

Our take: Squoosh is great for occasional use, but the lack of batch processing makes it tedious for regular work. A dedicated app is far more efficient.

Adobe Photoshop — Best for Professionals

Adobe Photoshop includes "Export As" and "Save for Web" features for image compression. It's overkill if you just need compression, but professionals already using Photoshop can leverage these features.

Pros

• Fine control — Adjust every compression parameter
• Part of Creative Cloud — If you're already subscribed
• Professional features — Full editing capabilities
• Local processing — Images stay on your machine

Cons

• Expensive — $22.99/month ($275/year) for Photography plan
• Overkill — Massive app for simple compression
• Slow workflow — Must open each image, export manually
• No batch automation — Without complex Actions setup
• Steep learning curve — Complex interface

Who Should Use It

Photoshop makes sense only for:

• Users already paying for Creative Cloud
• Professionals who need compression during editing workflow

Our take: Don't subscribe to Photoshop just for image compression. At $275/year, it's absurdly expensive compared to a $9.99 dedicated tool that does the job better and faster.

Our Verdict: Which Image Compression Software Should You Choose?

After extensive testing, here's our recommendation based on your specific needs:

Choose ImageTools if you want...

• The best compression ratios (up to 80%)
• Complete privacy (100% local processing)
• Multiple compression modes for different needs
• Format conversion (HEIC to JPG, etc.)
• Video compression in the same app
• Batch processing for hundreds of files
• No subscription fees — one-time purchase

Choose ImageOptim if you want...

• A free solution for basic lossless compression
• Don't need aggressive compression or format conversion

Choose Squoosh if you want...

• Quick, occasional compression without installing anything
• Don't need batch processing

The Bottom Line

For most Mac users who want powerful, private, efficient image compression, ImageTools is the clear winner. It offers the best compression ratios, handles both images and videos, processes files locally for complete privacy, and costs just $9.99 one-time.

While free tools like ImageOptim and Squoosh work for basic needs, they can't match ImageTools' 80% compression ratios or format conversion capabilities. And subscription services like TinyPNG cost more in the long run while uploading your images to the cloud.