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What are GIF images?
Graphic Interchange Format (GIF for short) is an animated image file format that is commonly used on the Web, especially by social media users.
The GIF file format was developed in 1987 and has since been widely recognized as one of the most effective digital image sharing formats.
Best GIF compressor
1. Shrink O'Matic by Softonic.
- Supported platforms : Windows and macOS
- Pricing : Free
Shrink O'Matic is a powerful GIF compression tool developed by the world-renowned software solution provider, Softonic.
One of the most admirable aspects of Shrink O'Matic is its time-saving feature, which allows you to reduce the size of multiple GIF files simultaneously. It's also one of the most user-friendly GIF compressors you can find. To reduce the size of your GIFs using Shrink O'Matic, simply drag and drop the files and let the tool do the rest.
The application comes with options that allow you to determine the output size as well as the desired file format and rotation. You can also give reduced files their name and location, and choose whether you want them to have watermarks or not.
2. YouCompress.
- Supported platforms : All browser-based platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Pricing : Free
YouCompress is a free online file compressor that allows you to compress your GIFs and several other file formats, including MP3, MP4, MOV, PNG, PDF, JPG, JPEG, to name a few. The tool is designed with an intuitive user interface (UI), making it a great recommendation for beginners and professionals.
YouCompress also works incredibly fast. To use the tool, simply select and upload your GIFs and then wait for a few seconds.
Although it's a free GIF compressor, YouCompress files don't have any watermarks. Additionally, the fact that the tool is available online eliminates the need for download and installation.
3. ImageOptim.
- Supported platforms : macOS and Android
- Pricing : Free
ImageOptim is a simple drag-and-drop service that allows users to compress GIFs of any size without losing the original quality of the files. The tool is considered to be one of the most efficient GIF compressors, as it can reduce your GIFs by up to 80% of their original size.
Instead of affecting the final quality of your GIFs, ImageOptim focuses on removing metadata, unnecessary color profiles, and other invisible trash from the file.
And besides GIFs, you can also use ImageOptim to reduce the size of other popular file formats, like JPEG and PNG.
4. Wondershare UniConverter.
- Supported platforms : Windows 7/8/10 and macOS 10 or higher
- Pricing : Free version available, paid plans start at $2.95/month.
An intuitive user interface, a simple design, minimal navigation features, and the absence of intrusive ads make Wondershare Online UniConverter an ideal tool for beginners. The tool is also very fast. To start the compression process, simply upload your GIF files and select the desired output size and frame rate.
You can decide to reduce your files one by one or to work with them in bulk. Once it's finished compressing your GIFs, Wondershare Online UniConverter can send the files directly to your Dropbox for easy access.
It should also be mentioned that files compressed by Wondershare Online UniConverter do not have any watermarks.
5. GIFGIFS.
- Supported platforms : Windows
- Pricing : Free
GIFGIFS has one of the simplest user interfaces. The tool is a one-stop shop for various GIF optimization services, including scaling, rotating, cropping, reversing, splitting, and of course, GIF compression.
To use GIFGIF for GIF compression, you start by uploading your files to the dashboard or pasting in the GIF URL. You then choose the desired color preservation levels, image size, and loss level, and then let the tool take over.
In addition to being completely free, it is reassuring to note that GIFs compressed by GIFGIFS do not have any watermarks. The tool is also available in two languages - English and Spanish.
6. GIF Reducer.
- Supported platforms : Windows
- Pricing : Free
Sometimes all you need in a GIF compressor is a simply-named tool that gets the job done. And that's what you get when you choose GIF Reducer.
For starters, GIF Reducer is completely free to use. Additionally, the tool allows you to download your GIFs directly from your device library or via an image URL. Once downloaded, click on the “Reduce It” button. Then, click on the “Show Reduced Image” button and select the image you want to save. After choosing the image to be saved, you complete the process by right-clicking and then clicking “Save Image As.”
The only downside, however, is that GIF Reducer only supports uploads up to 2MB in size.
Best online GIF optimization tools
If you just want to optimize one or a few GIFs, there is no need to download software to optimize the GIF image. An online GIF optimizer is enough to reduce the size of the GIF in seconds.
1. Ezgif.
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Ezgif is a simple online GIF maker and a set of tools for basic editing animated GIFs.
It allows you to not only optimize GIFs but also create GIFs, convert videos to GIFs, resize GIFs, crop GIFs, invert GIFs, add text to GIFs, and apply effects to GIFs.
2. GIFGIFS.
GIFGIFS is an all-in-one online GIF toolset.
This GIF optimizer is easy to use. Simply download an animation, select an optimization method, and then complete the conversion.
It offers numerous GIF-related functions: resize, crop, inversion, rotation, JPEG optimization, PNG optimization, GIF division, etc.
3. Kraken.io.
Kraken.io is a free online image optimizer. Thanks to Kraken.io, you can optimize large quantities of animated JPEG, PNG, and GIF files.
However, unlike the other GIF optimizers on this list, Kraken.io optimizes your files to get the lowest size.
Best GIF Optimizer Tools for Desktops
If there are a lot of GIF images or large GIFs to optimize, downloading optimization software to your computer may be a more suitable solution.
1. FileOptimizer.
FileOptimizer is an advanced GIF optimizer that helps to reduce file size without loss. The tool has a simple interface and can be used to compress various popular file formats (audio, video, and documents) on various operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, and Linux.
2. RIOT.
RIOT, short for Radical Image Optimization Tool, is a free image optimizer that will allow you to adjust compression settings while maintaining a minimum file size. With it, you can control compression, metadata settings, color count, and even select the output format.
3. Free GIF Optimizer.
GIF Optimizer Free is a one-click GIF optimization program that can be used to easily optimize GIF files and save up to 90% in file size. It includes two preview panels to help you compare the original GIF with the optimized GIF.
Summary.
Obviously, there are plenty of tools you can use to compress your GIFs (or to your memes).
While these services differ according to various parameters, the convention is to opt for a GIF compressor that is affordable, user-friendly, and super fast. More importantly, the tool should be able to reduce your GIFs without affecting the quality of the original files.
