TinyImage vs TinyPNG: 5 Image Compression Tools Compared for Figma Designers

TinyImage vs TinyPNG: What's the Difference?

Here's the short answer: TinyImage.io and TinyPNG are browser-based image tools. Hypermatic's TinyImage, despite the similar name, is a separate product designed specifically for Figma.

• TinyImage.io: An online image toolkit for compression, conversion, resizing, and other image-related tasks.
• TinyPNG: A web-based image optimizer for reducing the size of PNG, JPEG, WebP, and other supported images.
• TinyImage by Hypermatic: A Figma plugin for compressing, optimizing, and exporting design assets directly from Figma.
• Small IMG: My Figma plugin, built to simplify image compression and batch processing.
• Hamster – Export & Compress: Another Figma plugin that combines image compression with export tools.

My recommendation: If you already have exported images on your computer, a browser-based tool can be convenient. If you're constantly working with images inside Figma, a plugin may save you several steps.

Quick Comparison: 5 Image Compression Tools

The best option depends on what you're trying to accomplish. File size matters, but so do image quality, supported formats, export settings, and the time it takes to finish the job.

1. TinyImage.io: An Online Image Toolkit

TinyImage.io offers browser-based tools for compressing, converting, resizing, cropping, and editing images.

It's useful when you have image files that need optimization but don't necessarily need a Figma-specific workflow. You can upload supported files, adjust compression settings, process the images, and download the results.

What I like about this category of tools is that you don't need to install anything. You open a website, upload your images, and get on with your work.

The trade-off is that browser-based compression adds an extra step when your source images are still inside a Figma project. You need to get those images out of Figma before processing them.

When would I choose TinyImage.io?

When I'm working with images already saved on my computer, or when I need conversion and editing features outside Figma. For repeated image optimization inside a design project, I'd generally prefer a Figma plugin.

2. TinyPNG: The Tool I Used Before Building Small IMG

TinyPNG is one of the image compression websites I've used for years. Along with TinyJPG, it was part of my regular workflow when I needed to reduce image sizes.

It's straightforward: upload your images, let the service optimize them, and download the results. I appreciated that simplicity, especially when I was preparing assets for websites.

But I eventually ran into a limitation that bothered me. The free web version limits uploads to 20 images per batch, with a maximum of 5 MB per image.

That isn't necessarily a problem when you're compressing a few small images. It becomes more noticeable when you're working with larger files or processing images regularly.

I also started questioning why I needed to export images from Figma, upload them to another website, download the optimized versions, and then continue working.

Each individual step was simple. Together, they added friction to a workflow I repeated frequently.

Is TinyPNG still worth using?

Absolutely. I still think it's a useful option for optimizing existing image files. My issue wasn't that TinyPNG was a bad product. I simply wanted a different workflow for the kind of design work I was doing.

3. TinyImage by Hypermatic: Compressing Images Inside Figma

TinyImage by Hypermatic solves a different problem from the TinyImage.io website. It's a Figma plugin designed for image optimization and export.

I used TinyImage when I was working with hundreds of banner images. It was convenient because I could handle compression without constantly switching between Figma and external websites.

The plugin has grown into a fairly extensive toolkit. It supports multiple export formats, batch processing, target file-size settings, and other advanced workflows.

To be clear, I liked TinyImage. It helped me with a real problem, and I can understand why designers use it.

But I didn't always need its extensive feature set. I wanted a smaller, more focused tool that handled the compression tasks I performed most often.

I was also thinking about the restrictions and subscription models that come with some image optimization tools. Instead of adding another subscription to my workflow, I started wondering whether I could build something myself.

Who should use Hypermatic's TinyImage?

Designers who need advanced control over Figma exports, multiple output formats, file-size targets, or specialized export workflows should consider it.

If you want a broader comparison of Figma plugins, read my article on TinyImage Compressor alternatives .

4. Small IMG: Why I Decided to Build My Own Figma Plugin

At some point, I had a simple thought: I know the problem, I know the workflow, and I have an idea of how I'd like the tool to behave. Why not try building it myself?

That's how Small IMG started.

I wanted to select images in Figma, choose the compression settings I needed, and process them without unnecessary steps. My focus was on practical features such as quality settings, resizing, and batch processing.

I wasn't trying to recreate every feature available in TinyImage or compete with every image optimization service. I wanted to solve the part of the problem I experienced most often.

Building It Was Harder Than I Expected

I used React and AI-assisted development to build Small IMG. At first, I underestimated how much the architecture mattered.

I ended up putting too much functionality into a single file. As the plugin grew, making changes became more complicated. Fixing one thing could mean revisiting other parts of the code.

I learned about modularity and separation of concerns the practical way: by building something, making mistakes, and having to improve the structure afterward.

AI helped me write code, but it didn't remove the need to understand what I was building. I still had to test the plugin, investigate bugs, make product decisions, and figure out which features were actually useful.

That experience changed how I think about product development. A working interface is only part of the job. The workflow, the decisions behind it, and how the product behaves in real situations matter just as much.

What I'd Like to Improve Next

I still have ideas for Small IMG, including more flexible export options and additional controls for image processing. Those are potential improvements, not features I'm claiming are already available.

For now, I want to keep the plugin focused on making common image compression tasks easier.

You can explore Small IMG in the Figma Community or read more about how I built it .

5. Hamster – Export & Compress: Another Figma Alternative

Hamster – Export & Compress is another plugin worth looking at if you regularly export assets from Figma.

According to its developer, Hamster supports exports in formats such as PNG, JPG, WebP, SVG, and PDF, along with compression for supported raster images.

It also includes workflows for creating animated exports and combining frames into PDF files.

I haven't used Hamster extensively enough to make a personal recommendation about its compression quality. But it's a relevant alternative for designers who want compression and export functionality in one plugin.

Which Image Compression Tool Would I Choose?

I don't think there's one tool that makes sense for every situation.

• For occasional image compression: TinyPNG is still a convenient choice.
• For browser-based image editing and conversion: TinyImage.io offers a broader collection of tools.
• For advanced Figma exports: Hypermatic's TinyImage provides extensive controls.
• For a focused Figma compression workflow: Small IMG is the tool I built around my own needs.
• For combining compression with different export tasks: Hamster is worth investigating.

My advice is to start with your workflow, not the longest feature list.

If you're optimizing hundreds of images inside Figma, the number of steps you repeat can matter just as much as the final file size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TinyImage.io the same as Hypermatic's TinyImage?

No. TinyImage.io is an online image toolkit, while Hypermatic's TinyImage is a separate Figma plugin for compression and export workflows.

Is TinyPNG free?

TinyPNG offers free browser-based compression, with limits on the number and size of images you can upload. Its free web tool currently supports up to 20 images per batch, with a 5 MB limit per image.

Can I compress images directly inside Figma?

Yes. Plugins such as TinyImage by Hypermatic and Small IMG let you work with image compression from within Figma, reducing the need to move between separate applications.

Does Figma compress images automatically?

Figma handles image data internally, but that doesn't mean every image in your design is optimized for its final use. Large source images and export settings can still affect file size.

If you're dealing with a heavy Figma project, I've also written about practical ways to reduce Figma file size .

Which tool produces the smallest images?

That depends on the original file, its format, compression settings, and the amount of quality loss you're willing to accept.

I wouldn't declare a universal winner without testing the same images using comparable settings. A smaller file isn't automatically a better result if important visual details are lost.

Final Thoughts: Good Tools Should Make Your Work Easier

I started using image compression tools because I wanted smaller assets for websites and design projects. Over time, I realized that the workflow around compression was just as important as the compression itself.

TinyPNG helped me for years. Hypermatic's TinyImage made working with images inside Figma more convenient. Building Small IMG was my attempt to create something focused on the tasks I wanted to simplify.

And building it taught me quite a bit about software development, product decisions, and the difference between an idea and a working tool.