Top 5 Photo Resizers That Keep Quality
6 min. read 
Published on
Resizing photos is a common task, whether you’re preparing images for social media, a website, or simply trying to save storage space. However, shrinking your photos can sometimes lead to a noticeable drop in quality, resulting in blurry or pixelated images. Finding the right photo resizing software is essential to maintain visual integrity while reducing file size.
This article explores the five best photo resizing software options currently available, each designed to help you resize your images without sacrificing quality. We’ll delve into their features, pricing, and how they can benefit you, ensuring you find the perfect tool for your needs.
What’s the Best Photo Resizing Software?
1. Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard photo editing software, offering a wide range of features, including advanced image resizing capabilities. Its sophisticated algorithms ensure that your photos retain their clarity and detail even after significant size reductions. Photoshop’s resampling options, such as Bicubic Sharper (best for reduction), provide precise control over the resizing process. It helps users to maintain the visual integrity of their images while optimizing them for various platforms and uses.
Photoshop can be intimidating for beginners due to its complexity, but its powerful resizing tools are well worth the learning curve for professionals and serious hobbyists.
Key Features:
- Advanced resampling algorithms (Bicubic Sharper, Bicubic Smoother)
- Precise control over dimensions and resolution
- Support for batch processing
- Integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps
Pricing: $22.99/month (as part of the Photography plan)
2. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
GIMP is a free and open-source image editor that rivals Photoshop in terms of functionality. It offers robust resizing tools, including various interpolation methods to minimize quality loss. GIMP is a great choice for users who need advanced image editing capabilities without the hefty price tag. It allows users to adjust image dimensions with different resampling methods, ensuring the best possible quality for resized images.
GIMP’s interface can be a bit clunky compared to Photoshop, but its powerful features and active community make it a valuable tool for photo resizing and editing.
Key Features:
- Free and open-source
- Multiple interpolation methods for resizing
- Batch processing via plugins
- Customizable interface
Pricing: Free
3. IrfanView
IrfanView is a lightweight and fast image viewer and editor that includes excellent batch resizing capabilities. It’s known for its simplicity and efficiency, making it a great choice for users who need to quickly resize a large number of photos. IrfanView offers various resizing options, including the ability to specify exact dimensions or a percentage of the original size. It is an ideal tool for users who need a fast and efficient way to resize images in bulk.
While IrfanView lacks some of the advanced features of Photoshop and GIMP, its speed and ease of use make it a valuable tool for basic photo resizing tasks.
Key Features:
- Fast and lightweight
- Batch processing with advanced options
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Support for a wide range of image formats
Pricing: Free (for non-commercial use)
4. PicResize
PicResize is a free online photo resizing tool that’s incredibly easy to use. Simply upload your image, choose your desired size, and download the resized version. PicResize offers several preset sizes and custom dimensions, making it a versatile option for quick and simple resizing. PicResize is perfect for users who need to resize images without installing any software, offering a convenient and accessible solution for basic resizing needs.
While PicResize lacks advanced features, its simplicity and convenience make it a great choice for quick resizing tasks.
Key Features:
- Free and easy to use
- Preset and custom resizing options
- Support for multiple image formats
- Online tool (no software installation required)
Pricing: Free (with optional paid upgrades for additional features)
5. BeFunky
BeFunky is an online photo editor that offers a range of tools, including a powerful photo resizer. Its user-friendly interface and advanced resizing options make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced users. BeFunky allows users to resize images by specifying exact dimensions, percentage, or file size, ensuring the best possible results for their specific needs. BeFunky is a versatile and accessible tool for users who need a comprehensive online photo editing solution.
BeFunky’s online nature means you’ll need an internet connection to use it, but its comprehensive features and ease of use make it a valuable tool for photo resizing and editing.
Key Features:
- User-friendly interface
- Advanced resizing options
- Batch processing
- Integration with other BeFunky tools
Pricing: Free (with optional paid upgrades for additional features)
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Adobe Photoshop | GIMP | IrfanView | PicResize | BeFunky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $22.99/month | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Batch Resize | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Options | Yes | Yes | Limited | Limited | Yes |
| User-Friendly | No | Medium | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Tips for Resizing Photos Without Losing Quality
- Choose the Right Software: Select software that offers advanced resizing options and resampling algorithms.
- Use Appropriate Resampling Methods: Experiment with different resampling methods (e.g., Bicubic Sharper, Lanczos) to find the one that works best for your images.
- Resize Gradually: If you need to significantly reduce the size of your photo, resize it in multiple steps rather than all at once.
- Sharpen After Resizing: Apply a slight sharpening filter after resizing to restore any lost detail.
- Save in the Right Format: Save your resized photos in a lossless format like PNG or TIFF if you need to preserve maximum quality. If file size is a concern, use a high-quality JPEG setting.
Choosing the Right Photo Resizer
Selecting the right photo resizing software depends on your specific needs and budget. Adobe Photoshop offers the most advanced features but comes with a subscription cost. GIMP is a powerful free alternative, while IrfanView provides a lightweight and efficient solution for batch resizing. Online tools like PicResize and BeFunky offer convenience and ease of use for quick resizing tasks.
FAQ
What is the best image format to save resized photos?
For maximum quality, save in PNG or TIFF. If file size is a concern, use a high-quality JPEG setting.
How can I resize a photo without losing quality?
Use software with advanced resampling algorithms and resize gradually.
Is it better to resize photos online or offline?
Offline software often provides more control and advanced features, but online tools are convenient for quick resizing.
Can I resize multiple photos at once?
Yes, many photo resizing software options offer batch processing capabilities.
Finding Your Ideal Photo Resizing Solution
Whether you’re a professional photographer or a casual user, there’s a photo resizing software option that fits your needs. By considering the features, pricing, and ease of use of each tool, you can find the perfect solution for maintaining the quality of your photos while optimizing them for various purposes.
Related reading
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help MSPoweruser sustain the editorial team Read more
Improve this guide
User forum
0 messages