Introduction:
GIFs are a fun way to communicate emotions, reactions, and information. However, their large file sizes can slow down websites, increase page loading time, or exceed upload limits. So, whether you’re a designer, social media manager, or just someone who loves sharing animated GIFs, learning how to compress a GIF losslessly is essential. This article covers the 10 best online and offline tools so you can easily compress GIF to make them suitable for websites, social media, and email!
Part 1. How to Compress Videos/Images
HitPaw Univd is a comprehensive video toolbox designed for modern content creators, offering high-quality image and video compression. You can seamlessly compress and convert image or video files without sacrificing visual quality. With its cutting-edge technology, it offers up to 90% compression while retaining original quality. You can also compress large videos up to 100 GB and customize compression settings to achieve the desired results.
Main Features:
- Compress an extensive variety of video and image formats
- Help you preserve every detail in 4K videos while reducing file size
- Support compressing multiple videos/images in a batch to save time
- Reduce size for Discord, Twitch, social media, email, and storage space
- Real-time preview to instantly compare the original & compressed file
Steps to Compress Videos Using HitPaw Univd:
Step 1. Upload Video
First of all, install and launch the software. Now, go to the “Compressor” section and select “Video” or “Image.”
Step 2. Adjust Compression Settings
Next, press the small settings icon next to each file and adjust the compression level for the desired type, such as precision or quality. Click “Preview” to see the results.
Step 3. Start Compressing
Lastly, select the destination folder and click the “Compress” or “Compress All” button. You are all done!
Part 2. How to Compress GIF Online: 3 Methods
Do you want to reduce GIF size instantly without installing anything? Let’s dive into the best tools to compress GIF online with their pros, cons, and how to use each one:
1. Ezgif
Ezgif is a well-known online tool for creating, editing, and compressing GIFs. Its compressor tool offers lossy compression and allows you to select its level. You can also compress GIF size by reducing the number of colors in each frame and optimizing transparency for each GIF file. Here is how to compress GIF online with this ad-supported tool:
- Open the Ezgif GIF Optimizer website and click “Choose File” to upload a GIF.
- Tap “Upload.” Then, select the compression level and the optimization method.
- Press “Optimise GIF.” Right-click the optimized GIF and save it to your device.
Pros:
- Free and easy to use
- Remove every nth frame
Cons:
- Compress GIFs below 200MB
2. Veed.io
Veed.io is a modern online video editing tool that also supports GIF compression. It provides a clean interface and lets you upload, compress, resize, and export GIFs. You can change the compression settings, such as output resolution and quality. It even lets you adjust the advanced settings to achieve the desired results. Let’s follow the given steps:
- Open Veed.io GIF Compressor and click “Compress GIF.” Tap “Upload a File” and import a GIF.
- You can choose the “Quality” and “Resolution. Press “Advanced” and choose the “CRF” or “Bitrate” mode.
- Adjust the sliders for different options, and you will see the output size. Hit “Compress Video” and then “Download file.”
Pros:
- Wide compatibility
- Offer lossless compression
Cons:
- The issue with file uploads sometimes
3. iLoveIMG
iLoveIMG is a versatile image compression platform that offers a dedicated tool to compress GIF online without losing quality. It can compress multiple animated and non-animated GIFs at once. What makes it different is its automatic processing without requiring you to tweak advanced settings. Here is how to compress a GIF with iLoveIMG:
- Open the ILoveIMG Compress GIF website.
- Now, click “Select Images” to upload a GIF.
- Press “Compress Images,” and the output will be downloaded automatically.
Pros:
- Support Google Drive and Dropbox
- Provide a shareable link and QR code for output
Cons:
- Display ads on the interface
Part 3. Top 3 Ways to Compress GIF Size Offline
For those who work frequently with GIFs or need more control over compression settings, offline GIF compressors are the best solution. Here are the top ones:
1. ImageOptim
ImageOptim is a free, open-source image optimizer for Mac users that supports GIF, PNG, and JPEG formats. It can compress a GIF quickly by removing unnecessary metadata and reducing file size without visible quality loss. It offers both lossy and lossless compression. Follow the steps below on how to use it:
- Complete the installation, launch it, and drop the GIF file into it.
- Enable the “Lossy minification” option to get the smallest size.
- When the compression is complete, it will preview the new file size.
Pros:
- Lightweight with a user-friendly interface
- Drag and drop interface for quick uploading
Cons:
- No real-time preview for optimized GIFs
2. Photoshop
Although Adobe Photoshop is a professional image editing software, it also offers precise control over GIF compression. You can customize the frame rate, resize dimensions, or reduce the number of colors. It also does not compromise the original quality during compression. Let’s follow this step-by-step tutorial:
- Launch Adobe Photoshop and upload the GIF you want to reduce.
- Access the Image option and select “Image Size” to adjust the dimensions.
- Change other options and press “File”> “Save for Web…” option.
- From the pop-up window, reduce “Colors” to 128 and adjust “Transparency.”
- Once done, choose “Save,” name the file, and pick “GIF” as output.
Pros:
- Let you fine-tune compression settings
- Real-time preview for the compressed GIF
Cons:
- A bit complex with high CPU usage
3. RIOT
RIOT (Radical Image Optimization Tool) is a lightweight and free image compressor for Windows users that offers lossy compression. You can adjust GIF quality and size by comparing the original and compressed files. It also removes unnecessary metadata and optimizes data to reduce file size. Below is the procedure to use RIOT:
- After installing RIOT, launch it and click “Open” to load the required GIF.
- Adjust the “Color Reduction” option to lower the number of colors.
- Later, hit “Apply” to save the changes you made. That’s it!
Pros:
- Support batch compression
- Offer dithering methods and color reductions
Cons:
- Crash frequently with slow compression
Part 4. FAQs About How to Compress a GIF
1. How to compress a GIF without losing quality?
Use offline tools like ImageOptim and RIOT for lossless compression. However, the reduction will be minimal. For significant size reduction, a slight loss in quality may occur.
2. Is there a GIF compressor for Discord?
Yes! Tools like Ezgif and Veed.io can help you reduce the file size to meet Discord’s 8MB limit. Choose a tool that compresses without degrading the animation quality.
Conclusion
Whether you’re uploading GIFs to social media or adding to your blog website, knowing how to compress a GIF can save time and bandwidth. This post has provided various tools to compress GIF online and offline; you can pick the suitable one. However, if you need to compress videos or images in a batch, HitPaw Univd is an all-in-one solution. Let’s give HitPaw Univd a try!
Ashley Rosa is a freelance writer and blogger. As writing is her passion that why she loves to write articles related to the latest trends in technology and sometimes on health-tech as well. She is crazy about chocolates. You can find her at twitter: @ashrosa2.
