TinyPNG Now and iLoveIMG are both popular free image tool suites. Both compress, resize, and convert images. Both are accessible without downloading any software. But they are built on fundamentally different architectures — and that difference matters more than any individual feature.
This guide covers everything: how each tool handles your files, what limits apply on the free tier, which tools are free vs. part of a paid plan, and which is the better choice for your workflow.
What Is TinyPNG Now?
TinyPNG Now is a browser-based image toolkit that processes images in your browser using WebAssembly. For compression, resizing, watermarking and most other tools, your files are not uploaded to any server and the work runs on your device. The one exception is the background remover, which uses a cloud AI service. There is no account, no subscription, and no usage limit.
The full toolkit includes 25+ tools: image compression, background removal, image upscaling, resize, crop, rotate, watermark, EXIF removal, photo editing, filters, favicon generation, QR codes, PDF conversion, and more — all free and all browser-based.
What Is iLoveIMG?
iLoveIMG (iloveimg.com) is a web-based image toolkit from the same team behind iLovePDF. It offers a range of image tools including compression, resizing, cropping, conversion, rotation, and filters. Tools are processed on iLoveIMG's servers — your images are uploaded, processed remotely, then made available for download.
iLoveIMG also has native mobile apps (iOS and Android), which is a genuine differentiator. The free tier has file size and batch limits, and some features are part of a paid Premium subscription; check iLoveIMG's pricing page for current details.
Head-to-Head Comparison
1. Privacy: The Most Important Difference
This is the fundamental difference between the two tools. Most TinyPNG Now tools never upload your images — processing uses WebAssembly running in your browser tab, so your files stay on your device. The background remover is the exception, because it uses a cloud AI service.
iLoveIMG uploads your images to its servers for processing. iLoveIMG says it deletes uploaded files after a set period, but your images still travel across the internet and are held temporarily on third-party infrastructure. For personal photos, client images, medical photographs, confidential documents embedded as images, or any image you want to keep private, this is a significant concern.
Privacy note: If you're compressing sensitive images — client photos, ID documents, medical scans, legal materials — a browser-based tool is the more private choice, because the images never leave your device. iLoveIMG's server upload model means those images do leave your device. (TinyPNG Now's background remover also uses a cloud service, so avoid it for sensitive images.)
2. File Limits and Batch Size
iLoveIMG's free tier limits the size of each image and the number of files per batch, and higher limits come with its paid Premium plan. These numbers change over time, so check iLoveIMG's pricing page for the current values.
TinyPNG Now sets no fixed file size or batch limit. Since processing happens in your browser, the practical constraint is your device's memory, so very large batches can slow down or fail on low-memory devices.
| Limit | TinyPNG Now | iLoveIMG (Free) | iLoveIMG (Premium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max file size | No fixed limit Winner | Limited | Higher limit |
| Max images per batch | No fixed limit Winner | Limited | Higher limit |
| Monthly usage limit | None Winner | Limited tasks | Higher limit |
| Signup required | Never Winner | Optional | Check iLoveIMG |
3. Free vs. Paid Tools
On iLoveIMG's free tier, core tools — compress, resize, crop, rotate, convert format — are available. However, some features sit behind its Premium plan, which has included background removal and upscaling; check its current plans. On TinyPNG Now, every tool is free with no account required — background removal, upscaling, shadow removal, and all 25+ tools.
| Tool | TinyPNG Now | iLoveIMG Free |
|---|---|---|
| Image compression | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Resize image | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Crop image | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Rotate / flip | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Background remover | ✓ Free (cloud AI) | Check current plans |
| Image upscaling | ✓ Free (in-browser resize) | Check current plans |
| EXIF metadata removal | ✓ Free | Check iLoveIMG |
| Watermark tool | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| PDF conversion | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Photo filters | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| QR code generator | ✓ Free | Check iLoveIMG |
| Favicon generator | ✓ Free | Check iLoveIMG |
| OCR / Image to Text | ✓ Free | Check iLoveIMG |
Winner: TinyPNG Now — every tool is free. Some iLoveIMG features are part of its paid Premium plan.
4. Compression Quality
Both tools deliver good compression results for everyday use. Server-side processing can apply heavier optimization passes since it is not limited by browser performance. TinyPNG Now uses browser-native codecs (Canvas API + WebAssembly libraries), which give good results at equivalent quality settings.
In practice, results at similar quality settings are close for everyday web images, and the difference is rarely noticeable. For lossless PNG compression, server-side tools can sometimes achieve slightly smaller files with multiple optimization passes. Results vary by image, so test both on your own files.
5. Supported Formats
| Format | TinyPNG Now | iLoveIMG |
|---|---|---|
| JPG / JPEG | ✓ | ✓ |
| PNG | ✓ | ✓ |
| WebP | ✓ | ✓ |
| HEIC / HEIF | ✓ | ✓ |
| GIF | ✓ | ✓ |
| BMP | ✓ | ✓ |
| TIFF | ✓ | ✓ |
| AVIF | Compress in, not output | Check iLoveIMG |
| SVG | ✗ | Check iLoveIMG |
Format support on both sides changes over time, so check iLoveIMG's tool list for AVIF and SVG. TinyPNG Now covers the formats most web and design workflows need.
6. Mobile Apps
iLoveIMG offers polished native apps for iOS and Android, making it genuinely useful for mobile workflows — compressing photos straight from your camera roll, sharing resized images directly to other apps, etc. TinyPNG Now is browser-based only; while it works on mobile browsers, there is no dedicated native app. For mobile-first users, iLoveIMG's native app experience is a real advantage.
Winner: iLoveIMG for mobile app users. TinyPNG Now is better on desktop and for privacy-conscious users.
7. Speed and Offline Use
TinyPNG Now processes images locally — no upload or download round-trip needed. For large files, this is noticeably faster: a large PNG is processed entirely within your browser, while a server-based tool must upload the file, process it remotely, then send the compressed version back. On a slow connection, this round-trip adds meaningful latency.
TinyPNG Now also works offline (after the page has loaded) for most tools — if your internet drops mid-work session, compression keeps running. iLoveIMG requires a persistent connection throughout.
8. Pricing
| Feature | TinyPNG Now | iLoveIMG Free | iLoveIMG Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free | Paid (see iLoveIMG pricing) |
| File size limit | No fixed limit | Limited | Higher limit |
| Batch limit | No fixed limit | Limited | Higher limit |
| Background remover | Free | Check current plans | Check current plans |
| Account required | Never | Optional | Check iLoveIMG |
Which One Should You Use?
| Use Case | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| Compress images without uploading them | TinyPNG Now |
| Sensitive or private images | TinyPNG Now |
| No fixed file size or batch limits | TinyPNG Now |
| Free background removal | TinyPNG Now |
| Free image upscaling | TinyPNG Now |
| Work on iOS or Android with a native app | iLoveIMG |
| No account, no signup ever | TinyPNG Now |
| Offline image processing | TinyPNG Now |
| EXIF metadata removal | TinyPNG Now |
iLoveIMG vs iLovePDF: Are They the Same?
iLoveIMG and iLovePDF are separate tools from the same company. They share the same brand identity but are distinct products: iLoveIMG focuses on image tools, while iLovePDF focuses on PDF manipulation. They are frequently confused because of the similar naming. Neither is related to TinyPNG Now.
Conclusion
For most desktop users, TinyPNG Now is the stronger choice: no fixed file limits, no server upload for most tools, free background removal, free upscaling, and no account required. The privacy advantage is real — browser-based processing means your images stay on your device (except in the background remover, which uses a cloud AI service).
iLoveIMG is the better choice for mobile-first users who need a polished native app for iOS or Android.
If you frequently work with large batches of images on desktop or handle any sensitive images, TinyPNG Now's browser-based processing makes it the stronger choice.
About this comparison: Details about other products (limits, pricing, features) come from their public information at the time of writing and change often, so please check each provider's own website for current terms. TinyPNG Now is an independent tool, is not affiliated with the products compared, and this comparison reflects our own view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does iLoveIMG upload my images to a server?
Yes. iLoveIMG processes images on its servers, so your files are uploaded for processing. Most TinyPNG Now tools process images in your browser using WebAssembly, so those files stay on your device. The background remover is the exception and uses a cloud AI service.
What is iLoveIMG's free file size limit?
The free tier limits file size and batch size; see iLoveIMG's pricing page for the current numbers. TinyPNG Now sets no fixed file size or batch limit.
Is background removal free on iLoveIMG?
iLoveIMG has offered background removal as a paid Premium feature, so check its current plans. TinyPNG Now's background remover is free with no signup required, though it uses a cloud AI service.
Does TinyPNG Now have a mobile app?
TinyPNG Now works in mobile browsers but does not have a dedicated iOS or Android native app. iLoveIMG offers polished native apps for both platforms, which is its main advantage for mobile users.
Which is better for HEIC compression?
Both tools support HEIC input. TinyPNG Now converts HEIC entirely in the browser — no upload required. iLoveIMG uploads the HEIC file to its server for conversion. For iPhone photos you'd prefer to keep private, TinyPNG Now is the more private option.