Below are the answers we are asked most often. If you would rather just try it, open the compressor and drop in a photo; it takes about a minute. For a walkthrough, see our guide on how to compress images.
Is the image compressor free, and will it stay free?
Yes. The compressor is free forever with no account, no trial and no watermarks. There are no hidden limits on how many images you optimise, and nothing to pay now or later.
Are my images uploaded, and are they private?
Your images are never uploaded. Everything runs 100% in your browser using the libwebp encoder compiled to WebAssembly, so pictures are processed on your own device and never sent to a server. That makes the tool completely private; see our privacy policy for the detail.
Which image formats are supported?
You can drop in JPG/JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, AVIF, TIFF, BMP and SVG. The tool exports optimised WebP for every image. If you are unsure which format suits your project, our image formats guide explains each one. Additional export formats such as AVIF are planned.
What is the difference between lossless and lossy?
Lossless keeps every pixel exactly as it was, which is ideal for logos, screenshots and line art. Lossy (quality 80) discards imperceptible detail to make much smaller files, which suits photographs. The tool creates both so you can compare and choose, and our lossless vs lossy guide goes deeper.
Why is the lossless version sometimes bigger than the original?
If your source is already a heavily compressed JPEG, a lossless WebP has to preserve every pixel and can end up larger, because JPEG threw detail away and WebP lossless will not. In that case pick the lossy WebP, which will usually be smaller than the original.
Does compressing images lose quality?
Lossless compression loses no quality at all. Lossy compression removes detail your eye is unlikely to notice; at quality 80 the result is usually indistinguishable from the original. Because both versions are shown with their file sizes, you stay in control of the trade-off.
Is there a maximum file size, and can it handle large images?
There is no fixed upload limit because nothing is uploaded. Processing happens in your browser, so the practical ceiling is your device's memory. Everyday phone and camera photos, including large multi-megapixel files, compress without trouble.
Can I compress several images at once and download them together?
Yes. Add a whole batch in one go, then use Download All to save every result in a single ZIP file. You can also download any individual version on its own.
Does it work on mobile?
It works in modern mobile browsers exactly as it does on desktop. You can pick photos from your camera roll and compress them on the phone itself, with nothing sent anywhere and no app to install.
Is WebP safe to use, and is it supported everywhere?
WebP is safe and widely supported. Every current version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari and Android and iOS browsers displays WebP, so it is a reliable choice for the web today. For an audience on very old software you can keep a JPG or PNG as a fallback, and our WebP vs JPG vs PNG comparison weighs it all up.
Will compressing remove EXIF and other metadata?
Re-encoding to lossy WebP drops most embedded metadata, including much of the EXIF such as camera model and GPS location, which is good for privacy. Do not rely on it as a guaranteed scrubber, though. Finer control over metadata removal is on the roadmap.
Can I resize as well as compress?
Yes. Alongside the original, the tool outputs four sizes (Original (100%), Small (−25%), Smaller (−50%) and Smallest (−75%)), all keeping the aspect ratio with high-quality resampling. Sending fewer pixels is often the biggest single saving.
Is there an API, and are more features coming?
There is no public API yet. The tool is actively developed and planned additions include AVIF export, PDF tools, bulk presets and EXIF removal controls. You can follow along on our about & roadmap page. These are coming soon rather than promised for a fixed date.
Who makes this and where is it built?
It is made in the United Kingdom and developed by Flitzen. It is a genuinely free, private tool with no sign-up and no watermarks, built to be useful rather than to harvest your data.
Still have a question? The quickest way to see how it behaves with your own files is to open the compressor and try it, as nothing you add ever leaves your device.