Not all compression is created equal. Depending on your needs, you either want to preserve every single bit of data, or you want the smallest file possible. Here is how to choose.
Lossless Compression
How it works: Think of this like a ZIP file. It rearranges the data more efficiently but discards nothing. When you decompress it, the file is bit-for-bit identical to the original.
- Pros: Maximum quality. Essential for archiving text documents, medical imaging, or professional photography editing.
- Cons: Small size reduction (usually only 10-20% savings).
Lossy Compression
How it works: This method permanently deletes data that the human eye (or ear) is unlikely to notice. It smooths out color gradients and simplifies complex patterns.
- Pros: Massive size reduction (up to 95%). Perfect for websites, email, and social media.
- Cons: Quality degradation. If you compress too much, you get "artifacts" (blocky pixels).
The Verdict
For 99% of web users, Lossy is the way to go. The visual difference is negligible, but the performance gains are massive. Our tool uses smart lossy algorithms to hit the "sweet spot" where the file is small but the image looks crisp.
Smart Compression
Get the best of both worlds: small files, great looks.
Conclusion
Unless you are printing a billboard or archiving legal records, choose Lossy compression. It makes the internet faster and your storage drive cleaner.