Best Image Compression Tools Compared: 2026 Edition
Choosing the right image compression tool can significantly impact your website's performance, workflow efficiency, and costs. This comprehensive comparison reviews the top image compression tools available in 2026, helping you find the perfect solution for your needs.
Comparison Overview
| Tool | Free Tier | CDN URLs | API | Formats | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squish | ✓ 50/mo | ✓ Included | ✓ | JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF | $9/mo |
| Kraken.io | ✓ Limited | ✗ | ✓ | JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, SVG | $5/mo |
| TinyPNG | ✓ 500/mo | ✗ | ✓ | JPEG, PNG, WebP | $9/mo |
| ShortPixel | ✓ 100/mo | ✗ | ✓ | JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF | $4.99/mo |
| Cloudinary | ✓ 25GB | ✓ | ✓ | All formats | $89/mo |
Detailed Tool Reviews
Squish ⭐ Best Overall
Squish stands out as the only image compression tool that includes instant CDN URLs with every compression, even on the free tier. This unique feature eliminates the need for separate hosting setup.
Pros:
- CDN URLs included in all tiers
- Simple, transparent pricing
- Modern format support (WebP, AVIF)
- Developer-friendly API
- Generous free tier (50 images/month)
Cons:
- Newer tool (less established)
- Limited format support vs Cloudinary
Best for: Developers who want compression + hosting in one solution, simple pricing, modern formats
Kraken.io
Kraken.io is a well-established tool with excellent compression algorithms and good API support. It offers both lossy and lossless compression with extensive format support.
Pros:
- Excellent compression quality
- Wide format support (SVG, HEIC, PDF)
- Good API documentation
- WordPress/Magento plugins
Cons:
- No CDN hosting included
- More complex pricing structure
- UI can be overwhelming for beginners
Best for: Users needing advanced compression options, multiple format support, WordPress integration
TinyPNG
TinyPNG is one of the most popular image compression tools, known for its simplicity and effectiveness. It's great for quick compression tasks.
Pros:
- Very simple to use
- Excellent compression results
- Generous free tier (500 images/month)
- Well-known brand
Cons:
- No CDN hosting
- Limited format support (no AVIF)
- API pricing can get expensive
Best for: Quick one-off compressions, users who prefer simplicity, occasional use
ShortPixel
ShortPixel focuses heavily on WordPress optimization with excellent plugins and good compression ratios. It's popular among WordPress site owners.
Pros:
- Excellent WordPress integration
- Good compression quality
- Affordable pricing
- WebP and AVIF support
Cons:
- WordPress-focused (less useful for others)
- No CDN hosting
- Limited free tier
Best for: WordPress site owners, users needing automatic optimization
Cloudinary
Cloudinary is a comprehensive image management platform that goes beyond compression, offering CDN, transformations, and advanced features.
Pros:
- Full image management platform
- CDN included
- Advanced transformations
- Enterprise features
Cons:
- Expensive (starts at $89/mo)
- Overkill for simple compression needs
- Complex pricing structure
Best for: Large enterprises, users needing full image management, complex transformation requirements
Key Differentiators
CDN URLs Included
Squish is the only tool that includes instant CDN URLs with every compression, even on the free tier. This eliminates the need for separate S3 or hosting setup.
Other tools require you to download compressed images and upload them to your own hosting/CDN, adding extra steps to your workflow.
Pricing Transparency
Squish offers simple, transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Many competitors have complex pricing structures based on credits, bandwidth, or storage that can be difficult to predict.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Choose Squish if:
- You want compression + CDN hosting in one solution
- You prefer simple, transparent pricing
- You need modern format support (WebP, AVIF)
- You're building with APIs and want instant CDN URLs
Choose Kraken.io if:
- You need advanced compression options
- You work with many different formats (SVG, PDF, etc.)
- You need WordPress/Magento plugins
Choose TinyPNG if:
- You need quick, simple compression
- You only compress images occasionally
- You prefer the most well-known tool
Choose Cloudinary if:
- You need a full image management platform
- You have enterprise-level requirements
- Budget is not a primary concern
Conclusion
The best image compression tool depends on your specific needs. For most developers and businesses, Squish offers the best combination of features, pricing, and convenience with its unique CDN URL inclusion.
If you need simple compression with instant CDN hosting, transparent pricing, and modern format support, Squish is the clear winner. Try it free and see the difference.
Ready to Try Squish?
Get started free - compress images with instant CDN URLs included. No credit card required.
Get Started Free