sharp vs jimp vs imagemin vs compressorjs vs image-webpack-loader vs gulp-imagemin vs tinify vs compress-images
Image Compression Libraries Comparison
1 Year
sharpjimpimagemincompressorjsimage-webpack-loadergulp-imagemintinifycompress-imagesSimilar Packages:
What's Image Compression Libraries?

Image compression libraries are tools used in web development to reduce the file size of images without significantly affecting their quality. This is crucial for optimizing web performance, as smaller image sizes lead to faster loading times, reduced bandwidth usage, and improved user experience. Each library offers unique features and capabilities, catering to different use cases and developer preferences.

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sharp11,456,42830,234522 kB1198 days agoApache-2.0
jimp1,506,407-4.03 MB-7 months agoMIT
imagemin955,1035,6346.23 kB78a month agoMIT
compressorjs180,7845,479154 kB112 years agoMIT
image-webpack-loader109,6512,0253.56 MB81-MIT
gulp-imagemin93,5151,9048.17 kB27a year agoMIT
tinify16,449432248 kB52 months agoMIT
compress-images1,48260434 MB14-MIT
Feature Comparison: sharp vs jimp vs imagemin vs compressorjs vs image-webpack-loader vs gulp-imagemin vs tinify vs compress-images

Compression Quality

  • sharp:

    sharp excels in maintaining high-quality output while providing aggressive compression options, making it suitable for performance-critical applications that require fast processing and minimal file sizes.

  • jimp:

    jimp allows for basic compression settings but focuses more on image manipulation features like resizing and filtering, which may not achieve the same level of compression quality as dedicated libraries.

  • imagemin:

    imagemin provides a wide array of plugins for different formats, enabling users to achieve high-quality compression through various methods, including lossless and lossy compression, tailored to the image type.

  • compressorjs:

    compressorjs focuses on client-side compression, allowing users to adjust the quality and maximum dimensions, thus providing control over the final output quality while keeping the file size minimal.

  • image-webpack-loader:

    image-webpack-loader offers advanced optimization techniques, including lossless and lossy compression options, allowing developers to fine-tune the quality of images based on their specific needs.

  • gulp-imagemin:

    gulp-imagemin utilizes various optimization techniques and plugins to achieve high compression quality, ensuring that images retain their visual integrity while reducing file sizes effectively.

  • tinify:

    tinify is known for its high-quality compression, utilizing advanced algorithms to ensure that images are optimized without noticeable loss in quality, making it ideal for web applications that prioritize visual fidelity.

  • compress-images:

    compress-images provides a balance between compression ratio and quality, allowing users to specify the quality level for JPEG and PNG images, ensuring satisfactory results without significant loss of detail.

Ease of Use

  • sharp:

    sharp has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive features and options, but it provides powerful capabilities for developers willing to invest time in understanding its API.

  • jimp:

    jimp is easy to use for basic image processing tasks, but its focus on manipulation rather than compression may require additional libraries for comprehensive optimization.

  • imagemin:

    imagemin offers a flexible API but may require additional configuration for optimal usage, which could be a barrier for developers looking for a plug-and-play solution.

  • compressorjs:

    compressorjs is user-friendly for client-side applications, allowing developers to easily implement image compression with minimal setup, making it accessible for quick integrations.

  • image-webpack-loader:

    image-webpack-loader integrates smoothly into Webpack workflows, but may require some initial configuration, making it slightly less straightforward for beginners unfamiliar with Webpack.

  • gulp-imagemin:

    gulp-imagemin requires familiarity with Gulp, but once set up, it provides a seamless experience for optimizing images as part of the build process, leveraging Gulp's task automation capabilities.

  • tinify:

    tinify is straightforward to use with its simple API, allowing developers to quickly implement image optimization with minimal effort, especially for those familiar with REST APIs.

  • compress-images:

    compress-images is designed for simplicity, with a straightforward API that makes it easy for developers to integrate image compression into their projects without extensive configuration.

Performance

  • sharp:

    sharp is highly performant, built on libvips, which allows for fast processing of large images and bulk operations, making it one of the best choices for performance-critical applications.

  • jimp:

    jimp may not be as performant as other libraries for large images or bulk processing due to its pure JavaScript implementation, which can lead to higher memory usage and slower processing times.

  • imagemin:

    imagemin is designed for performance, especially when used with its various plugins, allowing for fast processing of images in different formats, making it suitable for larger projects.

  • compressorjs:

    compressorjs is optimized for client-side performance, allowing for quick image compression without server round trips, making it ideal for applications that require immediate user feedback.

  • image-webpack-loader:

    image-webpack-loader benefits from Webpack's optimization features, providing efficient image processing as part of the asset pipeline, which can significantly enhance build performance.

  • gulp-imagemin:

    gulp-imagemin is efficient in optimizing images during the build process, leveraging Gulp's streaming capabilities to handle large numbers of images quickly and effectively.

  • tinify:

    tinify's performance is dependent on API calls to the Tinify service, which may introduce latency but provides high-quality compression, making it suitable for applications where quality is prioritized over speed.

  • compress-images:

    compress-images performs well for batch processing images, but its performance may vary based on the quality settings chosen, making it suitable for small to medium-sized projects.

Supported Formats

  • sharp:

    sharp supports a wide range of formats including JPEG, PNG, WebP, TIFF, and more, making it a versatile choice for developers needing to handle different image types efficiently.

  • jimp:

    jimp supports common formats like JPEG and PNG, but its primary focus is on image manipulation rather than compression, which may limit its use for certain applications.

  • imagemin:

    imagemin boasts extensive support for various image formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, and more, allowing for comprehensive optimization across different image types.

  • compressorjs:

    compressorjs primarily focuses on JPEG and PNG formats, providing effective compression for these common web image types, suitable for most web applications.

  • image-webpack-loader:

    image-webpack-loader supports multiple image formats and can utilize various loaders to handle different types, making it a flexible choice for Webpack users.

  • gulp-imagemin:

    gulp-imagemin supports numerous formats through its plugins, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, and SVG, making it a comprehensive solution for image optimization in various projects.

  • tinify:

    tinify supports JPEG and PNG formats, focusing on providing high-quality compression for these widely used web formats, making it suitable for most web applications.

  • compress-images:

    compress-images supports a variety of image formats including JPEG, PNG, and GIF, making it versatile for different use cases in web development.

How to Choose: sharp vs jimp vs imagemin vs compressorjs vs image-webpack-loader vs gulp-imagemin vs tinify vs compress-images
  • sharp:

    Opt for sharp if you require high-performance image processing capabilities, as it is built on libvips and is optimized for speed and memory efficiency, making it suitable for handling large images and bulk processing.

  • jimp:

    Select jimp if you need a pure JavaScript image processing library that allows for manipulation and processing of images in Node.js, providing features like resizing, cropping, and filtering without relying on native bindings.

  • imagemin:

    Choose imagemin for a comprehensive image optimization solution that can be integrated into various workflows, offering a wide range of plugins for different image formats and optimization techniques.

  • compressorjs:

    Select compressorjs if you need a lightweight, client-side JavaScript library that allows for image compression directly in the browser, making it ideal for applications that require immediate feedback without server interaction.

  • image-webpack-loader:

    Use image-webpack-loader if you are working with Webpack and want to optimize images as part of your asset pipeline, benefiting from Webpack's powerful module bundling capabilities and various image optimization techniques.

  • gulp-imagemin:

    Opt for gulp-imagemin if you are using Gulp as your build system and need a powerful, customizable plugin for optimizing images during the build process, with support for various image formats and plugins.

  • tinify:

    Choose tinify if you want to leverage the Tinify API for image compression, providing a simple interface for high-quality image optimization with a focus on maintaining visual fidelity.

  • compress-images:

    Choose compress-images for a straightforward, easy-to-use solution that can handle multiple image formats and offers a simple API for batch processing images in Node.js applications.

README for sharp

sharp

sharp logo

The typical use case for this high speed Node-API module is to convert large images in common formats to smaller, web-friendly JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF and AVIF images of varying dimensions.

It can be used with all JavaScript runtimes that provide support for Node-API v9, including Node.js (^18.17.0 or >= 20.3.0), Deno and Bun.

Resizing an image is typically 4x-5x faster than using the quickest ImageMagick and GraphicsMagick settings due to its use of libvips.

Colour spaces, embedded ICC profiles and alpha transparency channels are all handled correctly. Lanczos resampling ensures quality is not sacrificed for speed.

As well as image resizing, operations such as rotation, extraction, compositing and gamma correction are available.

Most modern macOS, Windows and Linux systems do not require any additional install or runtime dependencies.

Documentation

Visit sharp.pixelplumbing.com for complete installation instructions, API documentation, benchmark tests and changelog.

Examples

npm install sharp
const sharp = require('sharp');

Callback

sharp(inputBuffer)
  .resize(320, 240)
  .toFile('output.webp', (err, info) => { ... });

Promise

sharp('input.jpg')
  .rotate()
  .resize(200)
  .jpeg({ mozjpeg: true })
  .toBuffer()
  .then( data => { ... })
  .catch( err => { ... });

Async/await

const semiTransparentRedPng = await sharp({
  create: {
    width: 48,
    height: 48,
    channels: 4,
    background: { r: 255, g: 0, b: 0, alpha: 0.5 }
  }
})
  .png()
  .toBuffer();

Stream

const roundedCorners = Buffer.from(
  '<svg><rect x="0" y="0" width="200" height="200" rx="50" ry="50"/></svg>'
);

const roundedCornerResizer =
  sharp()
    .resize(200, 200)
    .composite([{
      input: roundedCorners,
      blend: 'dest-in'
    }])
    .png();

readableStream
  .pipe(roundedCornerResizer)
  .pipe(writableStream);

Contributing

A guide for contributors covers reporting bugs, requesting features and submitting code changes.

Licensing

Copyright 2013 Lovell Fuller and others.

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0

Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.