Vizua vs Squoosh: Which Image Compression Tool Is Better in 2026?

Vizua and Squoosh share something unusual: both process images entirely in your browser. No uploads, no servers, no waiting for a round trip. But they take very different approaches to what that local processing should do.

What Each Tool Does

Squoosh is an image compression app built by Google Chrome Labs. It launched in 2018 as an open-source project to showcase modern browser capabilities. You drop in one image, choose a codec, adjust encoding parameters, and compare the result side-by-side with the original using a slider. It supports JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, JPEG XL, and several other codecs.

Vizua is a suite of 71 image tools. Compression is one of many features — the platform also covers format conversion, resizing, cropping, effects, filters, text overlays, social media presets, batch processing, and AI-powered tools like background removal and OCR text extraction. All processing happens locally on your device.

Compression: Head to Head

Both tools produce excellent compression results. Here is where they differ:

Squoosh gives you deeper control over encoding parameters — things like chroma subsampling, effort level, and specific codec flags. This is valuable for developers who need to squeeze every kilobyte out of a hero image. Vizua takes a simpler approach: adjust a quality slider, see the result, download. For most use cases, the quality difference between the two is imperceptible.

If you want to understand the technical differences between compression methods, see our guide on lossy vs lossless compression.

Batch Processing

This is where the tools diverge sharply.

Squoosh processes one image at a time. Period. The web app does not support batch uploads. Batch processing has been the most requested feature on GitHub since 2018, with multiple open issues and hundreds of upvotes. The CLI that once supported batch operations was deprecated in 2023. A community fork exists, but it requires technical setup.

Vizua supports batch processing for JPEG compression, PNG compression, WebP compression, and format conversion tools. Drop multiple files, configure settings once, process all of them, and download individually or as a zip. If you regularly compress more than one image at a time, this is a practical advantage.

Beyond Compression

Squoosh is a compression tool. Vizua is a full image editing platform. Here is the scope difference:

Squoosh is not trying to be a full editor. It does one thing and does it well. Vizua is built for users who need compression as part of a broader image workflow — and want everything in one place. For more on how format choice affects your images, see WebP vs AVIF.

Privacy and Architecture

Both tools share the same core promise: your images never leave your device. No upload, no server processing, no temporary cloud storage.

Squoosh achieves this using advanced codecs compiled to run in the browser. Vizua uses optimized algorithms and modern browser technologies for all 71 tools. In both cases, the processing happens on your CPU and GPU. If you close the tab, the data is gone.

This makes both tools suitable for sensitive images — client work, medical photos, legal documents, personal photos you would rather not send over the internet. For a deeper look at why this matters, read why most image tools upload your photos and our guide on protecting your privacy when editing images.

UX and Workflow

Squoosh's interface is minimal and focused. You see your image, a quality slider, a codec selector, and a live comparison. Everything fits on one screen. There is no navigation to learn — you are compressing within seconds of landing on the page.

Vizua organizes 71 tools by category (compress, convert, edit, effects, AI tools, social media). Each tool has its own page with a dedicated interface. The trade-off is that you navigate between tool pages instead of having everything in one view. The upside is that each tool is purpose-built for its task.

The Bottom Line

Choose Squoosh if you compress one image at a time and want granular codec control. It is the best single-image compression tool available in a browser — especially for AVIF and JPEG XL experimentation.

Choose Vizua if you need batch compression, multiple formats, or any image editing beyond compression. The 71-tool suite covers everything from JPEG compression to background removal to social media resizing — all with the same client-side privacy guarantee.

Both tools are free. Both keep your files private. The choice comes down to whether you need a scalpel (Squoosh) or a toolbox (Vizua).

Frequently Asked Questions