Even though image optimization is essential to a website, most business owners neglect it. This is because it’s not the easiest task to accomplish.
If you’re one of those people who skips this step, you’re getting it all wrong. Image optimization helps with your search ranking and audience engagement. And it might be your key to getting ahead of your competitors.
Thankfully, more tools and software are now available to help you. And in this guide, we’ll help you discover the best tools you can use to optimize web images. Let’s get started.
1. EWWW Image Optimizer
EWWW Image Optimizer is a famous optimizing tool with more than millions of users because of its successful results. With its compression features, your images can have improved quality. Good-quality photos are ideal for websites and applications.
The best advantages of this image optimizer tool are the following:
- It’s easy to use and ideal for beginners.
- Compatible with WordPress
- Budget-friendly
EWWW Image Optimizer does not have a free trial option but comes at a low price. Plans start at $5 per month. It’s the minimum plan with the following features:
- Lazy Load feature
- Auto-compass
- Auto-scale
- Next-gen WebP auto-compression format
As the price plans go up, you will also enjoy more advanced features like unlimited file sizes and no speed limits. There’s also an all-day support service and roadside assistance. And bulk optimization is also available.
2. ShortPixel
ShortPixel is another image optimization tool offered through API. Its key features are the following:
- 90% compression rate
- Achieves lossy and lossless optimization
- Supports PNG, GIF, JPG, PDF, and more
- Provides privacy and security for your processed files
- Can optimize old and recent images
If you’re a WordPress user, ShortPixel makes everything easier because of the WordPress plugin. All your new images are automatically processed, even with your older images. Moreover, you can keep the original photos in your backup folder.
ShortPixel comes in various pricing plans and a free trial version. The free plan can optimize 100 images a month. For the paid plans, they start at $4.99 per month. The rate goes up when there are more images for optimization.
3. Kraken.io
If you prefer optimizing bulk images, Kraken.io is an excellent option. It’s a free tool for optimizing bulk images in GIF, JPEG, and PNG files.
When choosing Kraken.io, you always get the version with the smallest image file size. After compressing, you can download all photos simultaneously in a zip file. You can also export the optimized files directly to your Dropbox or Google Drive.
The free version of this optimizing tool can compress to 32 MB each and a total of 100 MB for multiple photos.
While we’ve mentioned that Kraken.io is free, there’s also a pro version. It comes with more advanced features, such as:
- Image resizing capabilities
- Input various image sources simultaneously
- Countless image size uploads
4. Imagify
Imagify has also proven to speed up most applications. This optimizing tool allows you to resize and optimize images the fastest way possible.
Users love Imagify because it’s easy to use. Imagify almost has no learning curve, so even beginners can use this tool right away.
You also get complete control over the images for optimization. And your dashboard features helpful statistics you can use to gauge the performance of compressed images.
Imagify features the automatic feature. It automatically optimizes images and thumbnails after uploading them to your web page or application. Imagify is compatible with NexGen Gallery, WordPress, and WooCommerce.
The best features are:
- Can optimize PDF, GIF, JPEG, and PNG
- Resize images without degrading their quality
- The interface is easy to use and navigate
- Includes API
Imagify’s free version can optimize 200 images or 20 MB a month. But if you like to enjoy more advanced features, go for the priced plans. The rates for the priced plans start at $9.99 a month.
5. Smush Pro
Smush Pro is an exclusive plugin for WordPress users. It comes with the following features:
- Rescale and resize images automatically
- Compress and optimize GIF, JPG, PNG, and WebP files
- Optimize all images on your website in a single click
- Optimize new images automatically
- You can restore original photos at any time
- The lazy load feature can defer offscreen image loading.
Smush Pro comes with a free plug-in, but it’s limited. And if you want to enjoy all SmushPro’s features, you should avail of the WPMU membership. It’s $49 a month. The membership grants you access to more premium plug-ins and enhanced security.
6. ImageRecycle
ImageRecycle features a drop-and-drag interface for easy navigation. Simply drag photos from the computer’s desktop to ImageRecycle for an easier workflow.
ImageRecycle can compress PDF, GIF, JPEG, and PNG images. And it also features a free website analysis with a free report to determine how you can enhance your website’s performance.
ImageRecycle also has extensions for WordPress, Joomla, Shopify, and Magento. You can choose from these extensions for compressing your images instead of going to a separate website.
ImageRecycle has a 15-day free version limited to 100 MB. After 15 days, you can choose from the following paid plans:
- 1 GB for $10
- 3 GB for $20
- 10 GB for $50
7. TinyPNG
TinyPNG is a popular optimizing tool for PNG and JPEG, two of the famous image files. It’s an easy-to-use compression tool utilizing lossy compression techniques. TinyPNG will decrease the photo’s color number and reduce storage data without compromising quality.
You can enjoy these features with TinyPNG:
- Storage for partially transparent images
- Optimize animated photos
- Features an image shrinking tool for most applications
TinyPNG is one of the cheapest optimizing tools at $25 a year. But take note that because it’s a more affordable option, it has limited capabilities than other options.
Wrapping Up
Your website or application should have optimized images to leave a good impression. They help make your pages load faster and improve your overall SEO ranking as well.
With the help of optimization tools, you can have your images optimized in minutes. Consider the tools in this guide and choose the best one according to your needs.
CJ Content Co can be your companion in creating valuable content for improved search rankings. Contact them today to learn more about their services.