Users are often annoyed by the slow loading of web pages. To speed up the process, site owners resize images. Image compression allows you to save server space and reduce traffic consumption. The smaller the image, the better for the service.
Is it possible to compress images without losing quality? The result depends on the graphic source. Some photos can only be reduced by 100 bytes. Conventional Internet pictures are recommended to be compressed by 40%.
Pictures should not be lost in quality. Image compression must be performed in special applications. In this review, the best programs for reducing images will be considered.
AdvanceCOMP
This is an obsolete command line application. The utility is unlikely to appeal to users who are used to working with a graphical interface. There is no reference information. Compression of images is carried out by introducing a simple line for% a in (path to the image file) do advpng -z -4 "% a. If the user has already worked with the command line, then it will be easier for him to master the program.
After the image compression process is complete, the finished files will replace the original images. Image quality will remain the same. The result of compression may disappoint the user. PNG image size will decrease by only 14.2%. The program can be used in combination with other utilities to optimize images.
Cesium
A simple open source application used to compress images in PNG, JPG and BMP formats. The program interface is simple and straightforward. To add the necessary images, click on the Add button. In the window that opens, select the pictures and specify the folder to save the results.
Then click on the Compress button. Compression of images for the site will be performed by the program in a few seconds. The developers did not provide the opportunity to optimize images without loss of quality. The utility simply transcodes files using the parameters specified by the user.
When working with the program, the user will encounter some limitations. The application allows you to receive only 24-bit files. When using other formats, the weight of the image increases. Image size is reduced by only 1.2%. If the user is not satisfied with the result, he may refuse to save the file.
FILEminimizer Pictures
The program uses a radical approach to image optimization. The user has options for changing formats, scaling photos, deleting metadata, transcoding JPEG files, taking into account the need to change the weight of the image. The application is built in the familiar format. After selecting the source file and destination folder, it remains to make one click. The program performs image compression very quickly.
The result depends on the format of the photos. The user can compress the weight of the JPG image to 40%. PNG file optimization gives no more than 28.8%. When compressing GIFs, it is possible to reduce the weight of the picture by only 16.5%.
Fileoptimizer
The application optimizes images, executable files, archives, MS Office documents, PDF, and many others. The program has one of the simplest and most intuitive interfaces. The user just needs to drag and drop the pictures into the utility window, right-click on the computer mouse and select “optimize”. The source files will be replaced with new ones. Original versions of the images are moved to the trash.
If necessary, the user can restore the files. FileOptimizer is the best PNG image compression program. Images can be reduced by 42.2%. Image optimization in JPEG and GIF format gives no more than 17.7% and 15.9%, respectively. The user can also compress other files on his site.
ImageOptim
The program was created for computers running the Mac OS. The application compresses images, and also acts as a shell for other utilities. The program allows you to delete descriptions and color profile. Image quality after compression remains the same. Transcoding files is not performed.
In order to optimize the image, drag it into the utility window. The program for compressing pictures does not work as fast as we would like. This will not be a problem for users uploading only 5-10 images to the application.
GIF and PNG files can be compressed by 17.8%. JPG images can be reduced by 18.3%. The application is suitable for users who need a stable and simple tool.
jStrip
The program allows you to remove all unnecessary information: thumbnails, descriptions, color profile, unnecessary bytes at the beginning of files, etc. You can not count on significant compression of images. Since transcoding is not performed, the image quality remains the same.
High resolution photos can only be compressed by 1%. Small pictures can be reduced by 16.1%. You can not call the application perfect. The program replaces the original pictures with new images.
OptiPNG
Wordpress image compression is done using the command line. The detailed instructions describe all the functions of the utility. PNG images can be reduced by 32.2%. The tool is recommended to be combined with other programs.
PNGGauntlet
The application has a simple graphical interface. The program can serve as a shell for other utilities. When compressing, three tools are used simultaneously. Therefore, the process of image optimization may be delayed. 25 high-resolution images are processed for 1 hour.
The application gives excellent compression results. The utility reduced 50 PNG files by 41.3%. However, is the result worth such a long wait? Everyone decides for himself. Users who need a tool for high-quality optimization of PNG files will definitely include the program in the list of utilities used.
Riot
This is the only free application offering to install unnecessary modules. If the software advertised by the developers is not interesting to the user, then he can uncheck the corresponding items. The application has a clear interface. The multi-threaded process allows you to process multiple images at once. If necessary, you can compare the results with the originals.
The program reduces the number of colors in photos and transcodes JPEG into a picture with low quality. After processing, some files may become larger in size. Therefore, you need to check the results. It is worth noting that the application works well with GIF files. Animated images can be compressed by 42.8%.
PNGOptimizer
The application size is 146 KB. The program has a primitive interface. The utility compresses PNG images. The app eliminates interlacing, replaces the background color, and deletes text. The program imports GIF, BMP and TGA files and saves them as PNG images.
The application is inferior to other utilities in efficiency. PNG images can only be compressed by 3.6%. Normal pictures from the network can be reduced by 40%. Users searching for a small and simple solution for working with PNG files are advised to pay attention to this application.
JPEGmini Lite
The program performs image compression in two stages. First, the application determines which part of the image can be reduced without losing quality. A sophisticated processing algorithm is used. The JPEG encoder then compresses the image. The picture quality remains almost the same.
To start the process, drag the photos into the utility window. Original pictures will be replaced with new images. In the free version it is allowed to compress no more than 20 pictures daily.
Results depend on the original photos. High-resolution images can be compressed by 71.3% without significant loss of quality. Simple JPG images can only be reduced by 8.2%. The larger the image size, the better the compression quality.
Scriptpng
This is a command line tool. The program optimizes PNG files. To compress a picture, you must drag it onto the utility file itself. A command line will appear. The user will be prompted to choose one of nine compression methods.
Here you need to specify the appropriate option. The application will close. File processing will begin. Original photos will be replaced with new pictures. When the program runs, problems with the installer may occur, so error messages will have to be manually closed.
PNG images can be reduced by 40.1%. If the user wants to add other options, then he can independently edit the script file.
conclusions
The best results are provided by FileOptimizer. With it, you can achieve 42.2% of the compression of PNG images. The application also works fine with JPG and GIF files. If the user is not satisfied with this option, then he can take a closer look at the ScriptPNG utility. ImageOptim shows good results when working with JPEG and GIF images.