Comparison
Compresto vs Permute 3
Both are native macOS media tools with drag-and-drop workflows. Compresto adds PDF compression and focuses on quality-preserving compression; Permute 3 leans toward format conversion flexibility.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Compresto | Permute 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS only | macOS only |
| Video compression | ||
| Image compression | ||
| PDF compression | ||
| Batch processing | ||
| Hardware acceleration | ||
| Drag & drop | ||
| Price model | One-time purchase / free tier | One-time purchase ~$14.99 |
Compresto Strengths
- Includes PDF compression — not available in Permute 3
- Stronger focus on compression quality vs. format conversion
- Free tier available to try before purchasing
- Compresto targets file size reduction; Permute focuses on format flexibility
Permute 3 Strengths
- Broader format conversion support including audio conversion
- Slightly lower one-time price point
- Well-established Mac app with a loyal user base
Choose Compresto when...
- You need PDF compression alongside video and image compression
- Your primary goal is reducing file sizes, not format conversion
- You want to try a free tier before committing to a purchase
- You compress media to share via email or cloud storage
Choose Permute 3 when...
- You frequently convert between different media formats (e.g., MOV to MKV, MP3 to AAC)
- You need audio conversion and processing features
- You prefer a tool with a long-standing macOS reputation
Pricing
Compresto
One-time purchase $19.99 or free tier with limits
Permute 3
One-time purchase ~$14.99 (App Store pricing)
Switching from Permute 3?
If you use Permute mainly to reduce video or image file sizes, Compresto covers the same workflows plus adds PDF support. Drag your files in and compare the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Compresto and Permute 3?
- Compresto is focused on compression — making files smaller while maintaining quality. Permute 3 is primarily a media converter that also compresses. Compresto also adds PDF compression which Permute lacks.
- Does Compresto convert video formats like Permute 3?
- Compresto focuses on compressing within supported formats (MP4, MOV). Permute 3 offers broader format conversion between containers and codecs.
- Which Mac compression app has better quality output?
- Both produce good quality output. Compresto uses hardware-accelerated encoding with quality-preservation as the primary goal. Results are comparable for standard video compression tasks.
- Can Compresto compress PDFs that Permute cannot?
- Yes. Compresto includes native PDF compression. Permute 3 does not support PDF files.
- Is Permute 3 still being actively updated?
- Yes, Permute 3 is actively maintained by Charlie Monroe Software. Both apps receive regular macOS compatibility updates.
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Compresto vs Clideo
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