FileDial vs ImageOptim
By Himanshu Ranjan · Updated 8 November 2026
ImageOptim is a free, open source Mac app that shrinks JPEG, PNG, GIF and SVG files with tools like MozJPEG and pngquant and strips metadata, lossless by default. FileDial is a $20 Mac app that compresses photos to target sizes, converts formats and resizes for social sites, along with PDF, video and audio tools. Choose ImageOptim for free web image optimization.
At a glance
| FileDial | ImageOptim | |
|---|---|---|
| Where files are processed | On your Mac, files are never uploaded | In the app on your Mac |
| Platforms | Mac only: macOS 14+, Apple silicon (M1 or newer) | Mac, macOS 11 or later |
| Price | $20 once, lifetime license for 2 Macs, 14-day refund | Free |
| Open source | No | Yes, GPL v2 or later |
| Image formats | JPG, PNG, HEIC, WebP, AVIF, GIF, TIFF and more | JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG |
| Compression style | Compress, under 2 MB to 200 KB, to size, by percentage | Lossless by default, optional lossy |
| Format conversion | Convert to JPG, WebP, AVIF, HEIC and others | No, optimizes in place |
| Resize | Social presets like Instagram square (1080×1080) | No |
| Original file | Result saved beside the original, with Undo | Optimizes the files you add |
| Other file types | PDFs, video, audio, documents | Images only |
Details about ImageOptim come from its own website and documentation, checked 2026-11-09. Prices and features change; check the source links below.
About ImageOptim
A free, open source Mac app that optimizes images and removes unneeded metadata using encoders such as MozJPEG, pngquant, Zopfli and SVGO.
Platforms: Mac (macOS 11 or later). Price: Free, GPL v2 or later; donations optional. Where files are processed: Processed in the app on your Mac using bundled optimizers.
Choose ImageOptim if
- You optimize images for a website and want lossless savings for free.
- You value open source software.
- You want SVG and PNG files run through several dedicated optimizers in one pass.
- You run an Intel Mac or macOS 11 to 13.
Choose FileDial if
- You need a photo under a size limit, like Compress › Compress under 500 KB.
- You want to convert HEIC to JPG or WebP and resize in the same app.
- You want the original kept and a new copy made beside it.
- You also compress PDFs and videos.
Optimization versus everyday photo jobs
ImageOptim is a well-regarded free tool for web developers. Its site says it compresses JPEG, PNG, SVG and animated GIF using MozJPEG, pngquant, Zopfli, SVGO and others, removes unneeded metadata, and keeps lossy compression off by default. It is open source under the GPL.
FileDial aims at broader photo chores. Compress › Compress makes a smaller copy that looks the same, while Compress › Compress under 1 MB, Compress › Compress under 200 KB and Compress › Compress to size… hit upload limits. Convert › Convert to WebP, Convert › Convert to AVIF and Convert › Make uploadable change format, and Resize › Instagram portrait 4:5 (1080×1350) or Resize › Open Graph image (1200×630) handle sizing.
Other differences
FileDial saves results as new files beside the originals, with Undo, and runs on whole folders: a batch of 300 photos converted in 5 seconds on a MacBook. Privacy › Remove location strips GPS without touching pixels. It also covers PDFs, video and audio.
For pure web image optimization at no cost, ImageOptim is the sensible pick. FileDial is $20 once, after a 1-day trial, on macOS 14 or later with Apple silicon.
Questions
Is ImageOptim free?
Yes. ImageOptim is free and open source under the GPL v2 or later, with optional donations. FileDial is $20 once after a 1-day trial.
Does ImageOptim convert HEIC to JPG?
ImageOptim's site lists JPEG, PNG, SVG and GIF optimization, not format conversion. FileDial has Convert › Convert to JPG and Convert › Make uploadable.
Can FileDial compress to an exact size?
It has Compress › Compress under 2 MB, under 1 MB, under 500 KB, under 200 KB and Compress › Compress to size… for photos.