Which tool should I use for ID documents or sensitive files?

Only local-processing tools (ImageMarker or Squoosh). Before sharing an ID copy, add a purpose-stating watermark and strip EXIF metadata — uploading such files to any third-party server creates a copy you no longer control.

TinyPNG, iLoveIMG & Squoosh Alternatives That Never Upload Your Images (2026)

Q: Does TinyPNG or iLoveIMG upload my images?

Yes. Both are cloud services: your image is uploaded to their servers, processed remotely, and returned as a download. That is usually fine for casual photos, but for ID documents, contracts or unreleased work, the file leaving your device is itself the risk.

Q: How can I verify a tool really processes images locally?

Open your browser's developer tools, watch the Network tab while you process an image, and check that no request contains your file. Or simply go offline first — a truly client-side tool keeps working without a connection.

Q: Squoosh is also local — how is ImageMarker different?

Both run entirely in your browser and never upload files. Squoosh focuses on best-in-class single-image compression (MozJPEG, AVIF). ImageMarker is a privacy toolbox: watermarking, batch processing, EXIF removal, AI background removal, compression, conversion and resizing in one place.

Where Does Your Image Actually Go?

When you need to compress, convert or resize an image, you probably search "compress image online" and use the first result. What most people never check is a crucial difference: some tools upload your image to their servers, while others process everything locally in your browser.

For a landscape photo, uploading may not matter. But for an ID document, a contract screenshot, client work under NDA, or an unreleased product shot, the moment the file leaves your device you have created a copy you no longer control — how long it is retained and how it is used depends on a privacy policy you probably never read.

This is an honest comparison of four popular free image tools — TinyPNG, iLoveIMG, Squoosh and ImageMarker — focused on whether your file ever leaves your device, and what each tool can and cannot do.

Quick Verdict

TinyPNG & iLoveIMG: cloud-based. Your images are uploaded to their servers. Capable tools, but not for sensitive files; free tiers have file-count and size limits.
Squoosh: local. Google's open-source compressor with the best codecs (MozJPEG, AVIF) — but one image at a time, compression/conversion only.
ImageMarker: local. Watermarking, batch processing, EXIF removal, AI background removal, compression, conversion and resizing — all in your browser, free, no sign-up.

The Tools, One by One

TinyPNG (tinypng.com)

The classic smart lossy compressor for PNG, JPEG, WebP and AVIF
Cloud processing: images are uploaded to TinyPNG's servers
Free tier limits the number of files per batch and file size
Best for: quickly compressing non-sensitive website assets

iLoveIMG (iloveimg.com)

The widest toolset: compress, resize, crop, convert, watermark, background removal
Cloud processing: every operation happens on their servers
Free tier has usage and size limits; advanced features require a paid plan
Best for: one-stop processing of large volumes of non-sensitive images

Squoosh (squoosh.app)

Open-source project from Google Chrome Labs; compresses via WebAssembly in your browser
Local processing: files never leave your device, works offline
Most advanced codecs (MozJPEG, AVIF, WebP) with a live side-by-side preview
Limitations: one image at a time, no batch mode, no watermarking, EXIF removal or background removal
Best for: developers and designers squeezing maximum compression out of a single image

ImageMarker (imagemarker.app) ⭐ The Privacy Toolbox

100% local, in-browser processing for every tool — even the AI background remover runs its model on your device
Full toolset: watermark, batch watermark, EXIF cleaner, AI background remover, compressor, converter and resizer
Free, no sign-up, no ads, installable as an offline PWA
Honest trade-off: compression uses the browser's native Canvas encoder, so peak compression ratios trail Squoosh's MozJPEG/AVIF; no PDF support
Best for: ID documents, images containing personal data, or anyone who wants one private toolbox instead of five different sites

Feature Comparison

Tool	Local processing	Batch	Watermark	EXIF removal	AI background removal	No sign-up
ImageMarker	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Squoosh	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅
TinyPNG	❌ (server upload)	✅ (limited)	❌	❌	❌	✅
iLoveIMG	❌ (server upload)	✅ (limited)	✅	❌	✅	Partly

How to Choose

ID documents, contracts, anything with personal data → local tools only: ImageMarker (and add a watermark + strip EXIF while you are at it)
Squeezing one image as small as possible → Squoosh
Bulk non-sensitive website assets → TinyPNG or iLoveIMG
One private toolbox for everything → ImageMarker

FAQ

Q: Does TinyPNG or iLoveIMG upload my images?
A: Yes. Both are cloud services: your image is uploaded, processed on their servers, and returned as a download. Fine for casual photos; risky for anything sensitive.

Q: How can I verify a tool really processes images locally?
A: Watch the Network tab in your browser's developer tools while processing an image — no request should contain your file. Or go offline first: a truly client-side tool keeps working. ImageMarker and Squoosh both pass this test.

Q: Squoosh is also local — how is ImageMarker different?
A: Both are trustworthy on privacy. Squoosh specializes in single-image compression with advanced codecs; ImageMarker covers watermarking, batch, EXIF removal and AI background removal in one place.

Q: Which tool should I use for ID documents?
A: Local tools only. Add a purpose-stating watermark and remove metadata with the EXIF cleaner before sharing any ID copy.

Bottom Line

"Free online tool" does not always mean free of cost — sometimes the cost is a copy of your file. Cloud tools are fine for non-sensitive images, but the moment personal data is in the frame, choose a tool where the file never leaves your device.

Try ImageMarker now → https://imagemarker.app/en/