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Head-to-head · Image Compression Software

pngcrush vs Fastly Image Optimizer

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
pngcrush #7 in Image Compression Software —/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit pngcrush
Fastly Image Optimizer #8 in Image Compression Software —/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Fastly

pngcrush leads on 3 checks, Fastly Image Optimizer on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Free planonly pngcrush
  • Most featurespngcrush · 2 of 4

Our editors rank pngcrush at #7 and Fastly Image Optimizer at #8 for image compression software; pngcrush and Fastly Image Optimizer have no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.

pngcrush offers free plan; Fastly Image Optimizer doesn't publish it. pngcrush offers batch processing; Fastly Image Optimizer doesn't publish it. pngcrush offers metadata controls; Fastly Image Optimizer doesn't publish it.

pngcrush is the better fit for advanced lossless PNG command-line work. Fastly Image Optimizer is the better fit for enterprise image delivery optimization.

  • pngcrush fits best

    Advanced lossless PNG command-line work

  • Fastly Image Optimizer fits best

    Enterprise image delivery optimization

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Side by side

Feature pngcrush —/10 Visit ↗ Fastly Image Optimizer —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score — —
Ranking #7 in Image Compression Software #8 in Image Compression Software
Best for Advanced lossless PNG command-line work Enterprise image delivery optimization
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) Not published
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Desktop Cloud
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web
Built for Solo, Small business Mid-market, Enterprise
Features pngcrush 2/4 · Fastly Image Optimizer 0/4
Batch processing ✓ (best) Not published
API access — Not published
Image resizing — Not published
Metadata controls ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Compression modes Lossless Not published
Max upload size Not published Not published
Supported formats PNG Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Lossless optimization across compression levels and filter methods
  • Detailed PNG chunk, color-type, bit-depth, and palette controls
  • Batch command-line processing across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Optimizes images during delivery for websites and applications
  • Supports web and API delivery contexts
  • Cloud deployment fits Fastly-based delivery architectures
Cons
  • Supports PNG files rather than multiple image formats
  • No image resizing or API access
  • Command-line workflow may not suit visual, hosted use cases
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Cloud deployment does not address on-premises delivery
  • Focused on image optimization rather than broader asset management
Our verdict

pngcrush is an open-source command-line utility for optimizing PNG images. It is aimed at developers and technical users who need local, scriptable compression rather than a hosted image-compression service. The tool reduces PNG IDAT data…

Read the review →

Fastly Image Optimizer is a cloud service that applies image optimization and transformations as images are delivered through Fastly. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise teams serving visual content within websites or applications.…

Read the review →
  1. pngcrushImage Compression Software —Free plan
  2. Fastly Image OptimizerImage Compression Software —Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • pngcrush — where it wins

    • Lossless optimization across compression levels and filter methods
    • Detailed PNG chunk, color-type, bit-depth, and palette controls
    • Batch command-line processing across Windows, macOS, and Linux

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports PNG files rather than multiple image formats
    • No image resizing or API access
    • Command-line workflow may not suit visual, hosted use cases

  • Fastly Image Optimizer — where it wins

    • Optimizes images during delivery for websites and applications
    • Supports web and API delivery contexts
    • Cloud deployment fits Fastly-based delivery architectures

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • Cloud deployment does not address on-premises delivery
    • Focused on image optimization rather than broader asset management
  • pngcrush—/10 · Free plan

    A free, scriptable PNG optimizer for technical users who need lossless control.

    Visit pngcrushFull verdict →
  • Fastly Image Optimizer—/10 · Pricing on request

    A cloud service for optimizing and transforming images as Fastly delivers them.

    Visit FastlyFull verdict →

More comparisons

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Guides on image compression software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026