pngquant is a command-line utility and a library for lossy compression of PNG images.
The conversion reduces file sizes significantly (often as much as 70%) and preserves full alpha transparency. Generated images are compatible with all web browsers and operating systems.
pngquant is free and open source software.
Key Features
- High-quality palette generation using a combination of vector quantization algorithms.
- Advanced quantization algorithm with support for gamma correction and premultiplied alpha
- Unique adaptive dithering algorithm that adds less noise to images than the standard Floyd-Steinberg.
- Configurable quality level.
- Automatically finds required number of colors and can skip images which can’t be converted with the desired quality
- Easy to integrate with shell scripts, GUIs and server-side software. It’s based on a portable libimagequant library.
- Fast mode for real-time processing/large numbers of images.
- Multicore support (via OpenMP) and Intel SSE optimizations.
Website: pngquant.org
Support: GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Jef Poskanzer and Greg Roelofs
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
pngquant is written in C and Rust. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn Rust with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Console Based Image Compression Tools | |
|---|---|
| MozJPEG | Mozilla JPEG Encoder Project |
| pngquant | Utility and a library for lossy compression of PNG images |
| SVGO | Node.js library and command-line application for optimizing SVG files |
| Oxipng | Multithreaded PNG optimizer, forked from Optipng |
| libjxl | Reference implementation of JPEG XL |
| libjpeg-turbo | JPEG image codec |
| QOI | The Quite OK Image Format |
| YOGA | Yummy Optimizer for Gorgeous Assets |
| pngcrush | Optimizer for PNG files |
| jpegoptim | Optimize JPEG files. Lossless and lossy compression available |
| OptiPNG | Advanced PNG optimizer |
| Guetzli | Perceptual JPEG encoder with excellent compression density at high quality |
| ECT | Fast and effective C++ file optimizer |
| Crunch | Lossy PNG image file optimization |
| zopflipng | PNG optimisation tool using zopfli |
| JPEG Archive | Utilities for archive JPEGs for long term storage |
| optimizt | CLI image optimization tool |
| picopt | Multi format lossless image optimize |
| tinifier | CLI tool for compressing images using the TinyPNG API |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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