MediaShed vs TinyPNG: Image Compressor Compared
TL;DR: TinyPNG is the industry standard with a mature API, WordPress plugin, and Figma integration. But it limits free users to 20 images per upload (5 MB max each) and processes everything server-side. MediaShed has no limits, no upload, and runs entirely in your browser with libvips. If you want a developer ecosystem, TinyPNG. If you want unlimited private compression, MediaShed.
Pricing and features verified as of July 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | MediaShed | TinyPNG |
|---|---|---|
| Free to use | ✅ Unlimited | ⚠️ 20 images/upload, 5 MB max |
| Local processing | ✅ Browser (WebAssembly + libvips) | ❌ Server-side |
| Images stay on device | ✅ Always | ❌ Uploaded (retained up to 48 hours) |
| No account needed | ✅ Yes | ✅ Free tier without account |
| Batch processing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (20 per batch) |
| Compression presets | ✅ Web, Email, WhatsApp, Recommended | ❌ Auto only |
| Quality slider | ✅ Aggression control | ❌ No manual control |
| Target file size | ✅ Set exact target | ❌ No |
| Metadata stripping | ✅ Automatic | ✅ Automatic (API can preserve) |
| Animated format support | ✅ GIF and WebP | ✅ APNG |
| Supported input formats | PNG, JPG, WebP, AVIF, GIF | PNG, JPG, WebP, AVIF, JXL |
| API available | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| WordPress plugin | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| CDN service | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Offline capable | ✅ After first load | ❌ Requires internet |
How They Work
MediaShed
MediaShed compresses images in your browser using libvips compiled to WebAssembly. You upload an image locally (it never leaves your device), pick a preset or set a target file size, and download the result.
The tool uses interpolation search to converge on your target size in 3-4 attempts. You can adjust an “aggression” slider that controls how much quality loss you’ll tolerate. Presets like “For Web” (<200 KB) and “For WhatsApp” (<100 KB) make common scenarios one-click.
TinyPNG
TinyPNG uploads your images to their servers and applies smart lossy compression. Their algorithm analyzes each image and reduces colors where the human eye won’t notice. Results are typically 40-60% smaller.
Their strength is in the ecosystem: a well-documented API, a WordPress plugin that compresses on upload, a Figma plugin for design exports, and a CDN service for on-the-fly optimization.
Pricing
| Plan | MediaShed | TinyPNG |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Unlimited, all features | 20 images/upload, 5 MB max |
| Web Pro | — | Paid (expanded limits) |
| Web Ultra | — | Paid (unlimited web tool) |
| API | Not available | From 500 images/mo free, then $0.009/image |
TinyPNG’s free tier works fine for occasional use. The 20-image-per-upload limit resets on each visit, so you can compress more in batches. The 5 MB per-file cap is the real constraint — large photos from modern cameras often exceed this.
MediaShed has no file size limit beyond what your browser’s memory can handle.
Compression Quality
Both tools produce visually indistinguishable results for typical web images at moderate compression.
TinyPNG’s advantages:
- Their algorithm has been refined over years of feedback
- JPEG XL (JXL) support, which MediaShed doesn’t offer yet
- Consistent results without needing to pick settings
MediaShed’s advantages:
- Manual control over compression aggression
- Target file size mode — set 100 KB and the tool converges to it
- Purpose-built presets (Web, Email, WhatsApp) save time for common use cases
- AVIF support with full quality control
- Side-by-side visual comparison before downloading
Privacy
MediaShed: Images never leave your browser. Zero server involvement.
TinyPNG: Images are uploaded to their servers, processed, and “retained for a maximum of 48 hours, after which they are permanently deleted.” Only you can access your uploaded images during that window.
For most users, TinyPNG’s retention policy is acceptable. For anyone working under NDA, with medical records, legal documents, or client-confidential product images, MediaShed’s local processing eliminates the question entirely.
Best For
Choose MediaShed if you:
- Want unlimited compression with no file size caps
- Need exact target file size control
- Work with sensitive images that can’t be uploaded
- Prefer manual quality adjustment
- Want offline capability
Choose TinyPNG if you:
- Need API access for automated pipelines
- Use WordPress and want automatic compression on upload
- Want a CDN for on-the-fly image optimization
- Prefer a completely hands-off, automatic approach
- Need JPEG XL support
Verdict
TinyPNG earned its reputation through a great API and effortless automation. If you’re building a workflow or managing a WordPress site, it’s hard to beat.
But for manual compression — dragging images in, setting a target, and downloading results — MediaShed gives you more control and no limits. The privacy benefit is a bonus for anyone handling sensitive content.
They solve the same problem from different angles. TinyPNG is for automation. MediaShed is for hands-on work.
Try MediaShed Image Compressor — free, unlimited, no upload. Or learn how to compress images for web.