ImagePal
Guides

Practical image guides

Honest, opinionated guides on compressing, converting, and resizing images — with a strong bias toward tools that don't upload your files.

Privacy6 min read

Why online image compressors upload your files (and how to stop them)

Almost every 'free online image compressor' uploads your file to a server you've never heard of. Here's what's actually happening — and how to compress images without sending them anywhere.

Privacy4 min read

8 TinyPNG alternatives that respect your privacy

TinyPNG is convenient, but every file you compress is uploaded to its servers. Here are 8 alternatives that compress images without leaving your device.

Formats5 min read

WebP vs AVIF vs JPEG: choosing the right image format in 2026

AVIF is the smallest, WebP is the most universally supported, JPEG still has its place. Here's a practical 2026 breakdown of when to use each.

Formats4 min read

JPEG vs PNG: when to use each format

JPEG and PNG aren't interchangeable. One is for photos, the other is for graphics — and using the wrong one can multiply your file size by 10×.

How-to4 min read

How to compress images for the web without losing quality

Compressing images for the web isn't just about file size — it's about keeping the quality that matters and dropping the bits that don't. Here's the workflow.

How-to4 min read

How to convert HEIC to JPG without uploading anything

iPhones save photos as HEIC, and half the internet still can't open them. Here's the cleanest way to convert to JPG without uploading your photos to a stranger's server.

How-to4 min read

Image sizes for Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook (2026)

Every social platform has its own image sizes, and they change every year. Here's the 2026 reference for Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok — plus the fastest way to resize.

Technical6 min read

How modern browsers compress images without a server

Browsers ship the same image codecs servers use. Here's how Canvas, OffscreenCanvas, and Web Workers turn them into a full client-side image processing pipeline.

How-to6 min read

How to convert PDF to JPG for free — no upload required

Government portals, job applications, and e-commerce sites often reject PDFs. Here's how to turn every page into a JPG or PNG without uploading your documents to a third-party server.

How-to5 min read

How to convert images to PDF without installing software

Need to turn photos, scans, or screenshots into a PDF? Learn how to combine and reorder images into a polished PDF document — entirely in your browser with zero uploads.

How-to3 min read

How to resize images for social media — the complete 2026 guide

Stop guessing image sizes. Here's every dimension you need for Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and YouTube — plus a free browser-based resizer.

Formats4 min read

JPEG vs PNG vs WebP — which image format should you use?

JPEG, PNG, and WebP each have strengths. This guide explains the real-world trade-offs so you can pick the right format every time — and convert between them for free.

Technical4 min read

How to compress images for website performance

Images account for over 50% of page weight on most websites. Here's a practical guide to shrinking them for faster loads, better Core Web Vitals, and higher search rankings.

How-to5 min read

How to merge multiple images into one PDF for job applications

Applicant tracking systems want one PDF, but you have five separate photos of your certificates. Here's how to merge them into a polished document in seconds.

How-to4 min read

How to merge PDFs online for free — without uploading your files

Need to combine invoices, contracts, or reports into one PDF? Here's how to do it privately in your browser — no uploads, no installs.