TinyPNG is good at what it does, but it is not the only option — and not the most private one. Here is how the free compressors actually compare, without the marketing.
What TinyPNG does well
Credit where it is due: TinyPNG's PNG quantization is excellent — it shrinks graphics dramatically while keeping them visually clean, through a dead-simple drag-and-drop page. If you occasionally compress a logo and do not care where the file goes, it remains a fine choice. The reasons to look elsewhere are its limits (20 images per session, 5MB each on the free web tool), the lack of exact target-size control, and the fact that every file is uploaded to its servers for processing.
The comparison
TinyPNG — Free web use: up to 20 images per session, 5MB max each. No signup needed for the web tool. Files are uploaded to TinyPNG's servers for processing. Paid API available for higher volume.
Squoosh — Completely free, no signup, no stated limits. Runs entirely in your browser (WebAssembly), so files never leave your device. Open-source, from the Google Chrome team. Fewer automation features, but unmatched for quick one-off conversions.
iLoveIMG — Free tier with per-task limits; no signup required for basic use. Files are uploaded to its servers. Strong on batch workflows and format conversion rather than maximum compression.
Compressor.io — Free to use. Files are uploaded to its servers for processing. Simple interface; best for occasional quick compressions where privacy is not a concern.
SizeMint — Free, no signup, no limits stated. Processes entirely in your browser — files never leave your device (verifiable in your Network tab). Handles JPG, PNG, WebP and AVIF, and compresses to an exact target size you choose (20KB, 100KB, whatever the form demands) instead of a fixed quality guess.
Limits and terms change — check each tool's site for the current numbers before relying on them for bulk work.
Which one should you pick?
Occasional logo, don't care about uploads: TinyPNG is the path of least resistance. Quick conversion with zero trust required: Squoosh. Batch jobs and format juggling: iLoveIMG. Exact KB targets for forms and portals: SizeMint — it is the only one here that lets you name the byte size first. ID photos, signatures, anything sensitive: pick a browser-local tool (Squoosh or SizeMint) so the file never travels. Read why compressing without uploading matters and how to verify it yourself.
The question most comparisons skip
Almost every "best compressor" list compares quality and limits. Almost none ask where your file goes. For a meme, it does not matter. For a passport photo, a medical scan or a client's unreleased design, it is the entire decision — a server-side tool means a copy of that file exists on infrastructure you do not control, under a deletion promise you cannot audit. Browser-local tools remove the question instead of answering it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a completely free TinyPNG alternative?
Yes — several. Squoosh is free with no signup and no uploads; SizeMint is free with no signup and adds exact target-size control. TinyPNG's own web tool is also free within its 20-image, 5MB limits.
Which compressor doesn't upload my files?
Squoosh and SizeMint both process entirely in your browser — nothing leaves your device. You can confirm this in the Network tab of your browser's developer tools while compressing.
Why does TinyPNG have daily limits?
Server-side processing costs real money — bandwidth, compute, storage. Limits are how free server-based tools stay alive. Browser-local tools sidestep the cost, which is why they can skip the limits and the signup.
Can I compress to an exact KB size instead of a quality percentage?
On most tools, no — you guess a quality slider and check the result. SizeMint was built around this exact workflow: enter 20KB (or any target) and it searches for the best quality that fits.
