10 Best ImageOptim Alternatives for Mac (2026)

January 24, 2026

ImageOptim has long been a favorite among Mac users for compressing images without sacrificing quality. However, as compression needs evolve beyond just images, many users are exploring alternatives that offer more features, better performance, or additional file format support.

Whether you need batch processing, video compression, offline privacy, or advanced optimization controls, this guide covers the 10 best ImageOptim alternatives for Mac in 2026. From all-in-one solutions to specialized tools, we'll help you find the perfect image compressor for your workflow.

Why Look for ImageOptim Alternatives?

While ImageOptim excels at lossless image compression, several reasons might drive you to explore alternatives:

Limited file format support - ImageOptim focuses on images only, missing videos and PDFs
No video compression - Modern workflows often require multimedia optimization
Basic interface - Some users need more granular control over compression settings
Web-based needs - Teams may prefer cloud-based solutions for collaboration
Advanced features - Requirements for API access, WordPress integration, or automated workflows
Commercial licensing - Business users may need enterprise support and licensing

Quick Comparison Table

Tool	Price	Formats	Platform	Best For
Compresto	From $49	Video, Image, PDF	Native Mac	All-in-one offline compression
Optimage	$14.99	Image	Native Mac	Advanced image settings
Squash	$9.99	Image	Native Mac	Simple drag-and-drop
Caesium	Free	Image	Mac/Windows/Linux	Budget-conscious users
TinyPNG	Free/Paid	PNG, JPEG, WebP	Web-based	Quick online compression
ImageMagick	Free	Image	CLI	Developers and automation
ImageAlpha	Free	PNG	Native Mac	PNG transparency optimization
Compressor.io	Free	Image	Web-based	No-install compression
Kraken.io	From $5/mo	Image	Web/API	Developers with API needs
ShortPixel	From $4.99/mo	Image	WordPress/Web	WordPress site optimization

The 10 Best ImageOptim Alternatives

1. Compresto - Best All-in-One Compression Tool

Price: From $49 one-time (Lifetime) or $19/year (Subscription)

Compresto stands out as the most versatile ImageOptim alternative, going far beyond simple image compression. It's a complete multimedia compression suite built exclusively for macOS.

Key Features:

Compress videos (MP4, MOV), images (PNG, JPEG, GIF, SVG, TIFF), and PDFs in one app
Batch processing for hundreds of files simultaneously
Hardware acceleration using Apple Silicon or Intel processors
100% offline operation - your files never leave your Mac
Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
Customizable quality settings per file type
Real-time compression previews

Pros:

All-in-one solution eliminates need for multiple tools
Privacy-focused with offline processing
Flexible pricing: one-time purchase or affordable subscription
Native Mac performance with hardware acceleration
Supports modern formats like WebP and HEIC

Cons:

macOS only (no Windows or Linux)
Higher upfront cost than free alternatives

Best For: Mac users who need a complete compression solution for multiple file types, especially those working with video content alongside images.

Why Choose Compresto: If you're tired of juggling multiple compression tools, Compresto consolidates everything into a single, privacy-respecting Mac app. The ability to compress videos and PDFs alongside images makes it ideal for content creators, marketers, and designers.

Download Compresto

2. Optimage - Best for Advanced Control

Price: $14.99 one-time purchase

Optimage offers power users extensive control over image compression with a clean, native Mac interface. It supports a wide range of formats and provides detailed optimization settings.

Key Features:

PNG, JPEG, GIF, SVG, WebP support
Advanced compression algorithms with multiple optimization levels
Metadata stripping options
Comparison view to preview before/after results
Export presets for recurring workflows

Pros:

Highly customizable compression settings
Fast processing with multi-threading
Excellent JPEG quality preservation
Detailed compression statistics

Cons:

Images only - no video or PDF support
Steeper learning curve for beginners
More expensive than some competitors

Best For: Photographers and designers who need precise control over image optimization settings.

3. Squash - Best for Simplicity

Price: $9.99 one-time purchase

Squash delivers a beautifully simple compression experience with a modern Mac interface. It focuses on ease of use without sacrificing compression quality.

Key Features:

Drag-and-drop interface
PNG, JPEG, GIF, SVG, WebP support
Preset compression profiles
Side-by-side comparison
Batch processing

Pros:

Intuitive, beginner-friendly interface
Affordable one-time pricing
Fast compression speeds
Native Mac app with modern design

Cons:

Limited format support compared to Compresto
Fewer advanced settings than Optimage
No video compression

Best For: Mac users who want quick, hassle-free image compression without complex settings.

4. Caesium - Best Free Open-Source Option

Price: Free (open-source)

Caesium is a free, open-source compression tool available across Mac, Windows, and Linux. It provides solid compression performance without any cost.

Key Features:

PNG, JPEG, WebP, TIFF support
Batch processing capabilities
Quality slider for compression control
Preview before compression
Cross-platform availability

Pros:

Completely free and open-source
Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
Regular community updates
No file size or quantity limits

Cons:

Less polished interface than paid alternatives
Slower compression speeds
No video or PDF support
Limited customer support

Best For: Budget-conscious users or those who prefer open-source software.

5. TinyPNG/TinyJPG - Best Web-Based Solution

Price: Free (up to 20 images), paid plans from $25/year

TinyPNG offers excellent compression through a simple web interface. Upload images directly in your browser without installing software.

Key Features:

Smart lossy compression technology
PNG, JPEG, WebP support
Photoshop and WordPress plugins
API access for developers
Bulk upload (up to 20 files at once)

Pros:

No installation required
Works on any operating system
Excellent compression ratios
Developer API available

Cons:

Requires internet connection
Files uploaded to external servers (privacy concerns)
Limited free tier (20 images max)
No video compression

Best For: Users who need occasional compression and don't mind cloud processing.

6. ImageMagick - Best for Developers

Price: Free (open-source)

ImageMagick is a powerful command-line tool for image manipulation and compression. It's the go-to choice for developers building automation workflows.

Key Features:

Support for 200+ image formats
CLI-based batch processing
Scriptable automation
Advanced image manipulation capabilities
Cross-platform support

Pros:

Extremely powerful and flexible
Perfect for automation and scripts
Supports virtually every image format
Completely free

Cons:

Command-line only (no GUI)
Steep learning curve for non-developers
Requires technical knowledge
Setup can be complex

Best For: Developers, system administrators, and technical users building automated compression workflows.

Example usage:

# Compress JPEG to 85% quality
convert input.jpg -quality 85 output.jpg

# Batch compress all PNGs in a folder
mogrify -quality 85 *.png

For more technical compression workflows, check out our guide on batch image compression tools.

7. ImageAlpha - Best for PNG Transparency

Price: Free

ImageAlpha specializes in PNG compression with transparency preservation. It uses advanced algorithms to reduce PNG file sizes while maintaining alpha channels.

Key Features:

PNG-specific optimization
Preserves transparency perfectly
Lossy and lossless compression modes
Color palette optimization
Integration with ImageOptim

Pros:

Excellent PNG compression ratios
Free and lightweight
Perfect transparency handling
Native Mac app

Cons:

PNG only - no other formats
Very limited feature set
No batch processing
Development has slowed

Best For: Designers working extensively with PNG images that require transparency.

8. Compressor.io - Best No-Install Web Tool

Price: Free

Compressor.io provides instant image compression through a clean web interface. Upload, compress, and download - no account required.

Key Features:

JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, WebP support
Lossy and lossless compression options
Side-by-side comparison
No file size limits
No registration required

Pros:

Zero installation or signup
Clean, simple interface
Good compression results
Supports multiple formats

Cons:

Online only - requires internet
Privacy concerns with cloud uploads
No batch processing
No advanced settings

Best For: Quick, one-off compressions when you don't have access to desktop software.

9. Kraken.io - Best for API Integration

Price: From $5/month (500 images)

Kraken.io offers both web-based compression and a powerful API for developers. It's designed for teams and businesses with high-volume needs.

Key Features:

Intelligent lossy and lossless compression
RESTful API for automation
WordPress, Magento, Shopify plugins
Image resizing and format conversion
CDN integration

Pros:

Robust API for developers
Excellent compression algorithms
Plugin ecosystem for popular platforms
Detailed analytics and reporting

Cons:

Subscription pricing (ongoing cost)
Overkill for individual users
Requires internet connection
Cloud processing only

Best For: Development teams and businesses needing API-based image optimization at scale.

10. ShortPixel - Best for WordPress Sites

Price: From $4.99/month (5,000 images)

ShortPixel excels at WordPress image optimization with automatic compression, lazy loading, and WebP conversion. It's purpose-built for website optimization.

Key Features:

WordPress plugin with auto-compression
WebP and AVIF format conversion
Lazy loading for images
CDN integration
Bulk optimization for existing images

Pros:

Deep WordPress integration
Automatic optimization on upload
Multiple format outputs (JPEG, WebP, AVIF)
Good compression ratios

Cons:

Primarily WordPress-focused
Subscription-based pricing
Cloud processing dependency
Less useful outside WordPress context

Best For: WordPress site owners who want automated image optimization.

For WordPress-specific optimization strategies, read our article on compress images for website.

How to Choose the Right ImageOptim Alternative

Selecting the best compression tool depends on your specific needs. Consider these factors:

1. File Format Requirements

Images only: ImageAlpha, Squash, Optimage, or TinyPNG work well
Images + Videos: Compresto is your only native Mac option
Images + PDFs: Compresto handles both seamlessly
All multimedia: Choose Compresto for complete coverage

2. Processing Location

Offline/Privacy: Compresto, Optimage, Squash, Caesium, ImageMagick
Cloud-based: TinyPNG, Compressor.io, Kraken.io, ShortPixel
Hybrid needs: Use offline for sensitive files, web tools for non-sensitive content

3. Budget Considerations

Free options: Caesium, ImageAlpha, ImageMagick, TinyPNG (limited)
One-time payment: Compresto (from $49), Optimage ($14.99), Squash ($9.99)
Subscription: Kraken.io, ShortPixel (ongoing costs)

4. Technical Expertise

Beginner-friendly: Squash, Compresto, TinyPNG
Power users: Optimage, ImageMagick
Developers: ImageMagick, Kraken.io API

5. Workflow Integration

Standalone use: Any native Mac app works well
Automated workflows: ImageMagick, Kraken.io
WordPress sites: ShortPixel
Batch processing: Compresto, ImageMagick, Caesium

6. Performance Requirements

Hardware acceleration: Compresto (Apple Silicon optimized)
Speed priority: Optimage, Squash
Quality priority: Compresto, Optimage, TinyPNG

Conclusion: The Best ImageOptim Alternative for Most Users

After comparing these 10 alternatives, Compresto emerges as the best overall choice for Mac users seeking more than basic image compression. Here's why:

Compresto offers:

Complete multimedia support - Compress videos, images, and PDFs in one app
Privacy-first approach - 100% offline processing keeps your files secure
Flexible pricing - One-time purchase from $49 or subscription from $19/year
Native Mac performance - Hardware acceleration for blazing-fast compression
Batch processing - Handle hundreds of files simultaneously

While specialized tools like ImageAlpha excel at specific tasks (PNG transparency) and web services like TinyPNG offer convenience, Compresto provides the most comprehensive solution for modern Mac workflows.

When ImageOptim falls short - lacking video support, PDF compression, or advanced batch features - Compresto fills every gap while maintaining the simplicity Mac users expect.

Ready to Upgrade Your Compression Workflow?

Stop juggling multiple tools for different file types. Compresto handles everything - videos, images, and PDFs - with the privacy and performance you deserve.

Try Compresto today and experience the difference:

Compress videos up to 90% smaller without visible quality loss
Batch process hundreds of images in seconds
Reduce PDF file sizes for faster sharing
Keep your files 100% private with offline processing
Flexible pricing - lifetime or subscription options

Download Compresto for Mac - Start compressing smarter, not harder.

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