Before you send a giant image down the trail to your next blog post, there is a useful little stop worth knowing about: Squoosh.
A browser can do the work
Squoosh is a browser-based image compressor from Google Chrome Labs. It supports multiple image formats and lets you compare an image while adjusting how it is compressed.
Its official project documentation says compression happens locally and the image is not sent to a server. In other words, a substantial bit of processing can happen in the browser on your own device.
A useful distinction
Runs in a browser does not always mean uploads your file. Squoosh is a practical example of that distinction, and it gives you a reason to pay attention to how other tools describe their processing.
Local image processing is not the same as zero analytics, though. The project documents collection of basic visitor information and before-and-after image-size values. Keep the scope of a privacy claim as specific as the evidence behind it.
Compare before you pack
Try a copy of an image and compare the result closely before replacing the original. Small text, fine lines, and textured details are good places to look for changes.
Keep your original file and choose the export for the job. A small web image and a large print do not need the same treatment. The point is not the smallest possible file; it is a useful balance between size and the appearance you want.
A little less image weight can go a long way. Keep the original, inspect the result, and understand where the processing happens.
Don't just take our word for it.
Squoosh official project and privacy details ↗Open Squoosh ↗Source-based editorial guide. Sources reviewed October 25, 2026. Illustrations are conceptual and do not depict a reviewed product.
