- Lossless Compression: Shrinks PNG, JPEG, GIF, and SVG files without reducing visible quality by default.
- Metadata Removal: Strips EXIF data, GPS coordinates, comments, and color profiles to protect privacy and reduce file size.
- Multiple Optimization Engines: Combines MozJPEG, pngquant, Pngcrush, SVGO, Zopfli, and more for maximum compression.
- Optional Lossy Minification: Enables deeper compression for even smaller files when slight quality changes are acceptable.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simple Mac-native UI that optimizes images instantly by dropping files into the window or Dock icon.
- Command Line Support: Allows automation and integration into developer workflows and build pipelines.
- macOS Integration: Works with Finder Services, Apple Mail, and Sketch for streamlined publishing workflows.
- Open Source & Free: GPL-licensed software with public source code and no DRM restrictions.
- Batch Processing: Optimizes multiple images at once for faster web and app asset preparation.
ImageOptim
Free Mac app for lossless image compression and metadata removal
Updated March 6, 2026
ImageOptim Overview
ImageOptim is a free, open-source image optimization tool for macOS that reduces file sizes without sacrificing visual quality. It strips unnecessary metadata and applies advanced compression using multiple best-in-class engines like MozJPEG, pngquant, and SVGO.
Good for web publishing and app development, it helps teams shrink images, speed up load times, and protect privacy with simple drag-and-drop workflows.
Key Features
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 2,000 Optimizations Plan | $12 per month | Includes 2,000 optimizations per month; Cache requests are free; Free trial available |
| 16,000 Optimizations Plan | $49 per month | Includes 16,000 optimizations per month; Cache requests are free; Free trial available |
| 100,000 Optimizations Plan | $245 per month | Includes 100,000 optimizations per month; Cache requests are free; Free trial available |
| Dedicated Servers & Custom Plans | Starting at $850 | Dedicated servers; Custom plans available; Quote-based pricing |
Price details: https://imageoptim.com/api/pricing
Pros
Competitor |
Pros |
|---|---|
| TinyPNG | ImageOptim runs locally on Mac, so teams don’t need to upload files to a web service. That’s better for privacy and large batch jobs. It’s completely free and open source, while TinyPNG limits free uploads and charges for higher volumes. Developers also get deeper control over metadata stripping and compression settings. |
| JPEGmini | Unlike JPEGmini’s paid plans, ImageOptim costs nothing and supports more than just JPEG files. It handles PNG, GIF, and SVG as well. The ability to combine several compression engines gives advanced users more flexibility, especially for web publishing workflows. |
| Compressor.io | ImageOptim works offline and integrates directly with macOS tools like Finder and Apple Mail. That’s helpful for designers managing assets daily. There are no upload limits or subscription tiers, and batch processing large folders is faster without browser-based constraints. |
| ShortPixel | ShortPixel focuses heavily on WordPress plugins and API usage, while ImageOptim offers a simple desktop experience for Mac users. There’s no API key setup or monthly quota to manage. For local design and app asset optimization, it’s quicker to install and use immediately. |
| Squoosh | Squoosh runs in the browser and requires manual configuration for each export. ImageOptim automates the process by combining multiple engines automatically. Its drag-and-drop workflow makes repetitive optimization tasks easier for teams preparing dozens of assets at once. |
Cons
Competitor |
Cons |
|---|---|
| TinyPNG | TinyPNG works on any operating system through a browser, while ImageOptim only supports macOS. Teams using Windows or Linux can’t run it natively. TinyPNG also offers an API for automated cloud workflows, which may be easier for cross-platform development environments. |
| JPEGmini | JPEGmini often delivers stronger lossy compression out of the box for photography-heavy workflows. ImageOptim requires manual adjustment of lossy settings for similar reductions. Professional photographers who prioritize JPEG-specific tuning may find JPEGmini more specialized. |
| Compressor.io | Compressor.io provides instant results without installation. ImageOptim requires a Mac setup and local processing time, which can feel slower on very large PNG files when advanced tools like Zopfli are enabled. Web-based tools may feel quicker for one-off tasks. |
| ShortPixel | ShortPixel integrates directly with WordPress and automates image optimization on upload. ImageOptim lacks built-in CMS integration, so teams must optimize assets manually before publishing. For content-heavy sites with constant uploads, automation may matter more than desktop control. |
| Squoosh | Squoosh offers real-time visual comparison sliders and fine-grained export previews in the browser. ImageOptim focuses on automation and doesn’t provide detailed side-by-side visual tuning. Designers who want pixel-level manual adjustments may prefer Squoosh’s interface. |
Reviews
- Product Hunt Review (Rating: 4.8/5): The drag-and-drop interface feels effortless, and compression keeps image quality intact. One reviewer called it “highly configurable without being complicated” and said it produces “astonishing results” if time is spent tweaking settings. Another knocked it for automatically overwriting source files, which forces duplicating files before running them through ImageOptim.
- Reddit r/webdev: One developer said ImageOptim “changed my game” and claimed they would never upload another image without running it through the app first. Paired with iResize, it lets them format images for the web in seconds.
- apple.com Review: Long-time users call ImageOptim “fast, reliable” and say it consistently reduces file sizes without compromising quality, even handling bulk image compression with ease. A lower-rated review praised the quick compression but complained that the paid upgrade only works on one computer and the “restore purchase” option just spins on a second device, which felt deceptive.
- kylegoldie.com Review: In side-by-side tests, it reduced file sizes by about 8–14%, which the author felt was “not great” compared to TinyJPG’s roughly 50% average reduction. The conclusion landed on all the tested apps being basically the same for typical needs, except TinyJPG showed much bigger savings.
- greggant.com Review: Benchmarks showed it held its own on PNGs but lost by small margins to Squash, sometimes by around 1–6%. On JPEGs, it actually shaved off about 5% more on average than Squash in repeated tests. The writer noted both apps use similar optimization libraries and said you “can’t really go wrong” with either, especially considering the free price.
- macupdate.com Review: Some commenters complained that it “does not accept TIF files,” and one user reported constant optimization errors when dragging JPEGs exported from Figma via Google Drive, saying some banners process fine while others fail. Ratings on the page still skew high overall, with strong marks for ease of use and reliability.
- lifehacker.com Review: The app shrinks images “without any loss in quality” by bundling tools like MozJPEG, pngquant, Pngcrush, and Google Zopfli into one interface. Drag files in and watch them get smaller, with redundant data like EXIF removed so no visible quality drops.